Recommended Fuel Myths (All Engines)

[Without Remorse]

This is a great thread because I have wondered a lot of these things. So a couple of people have stated that 93 or 91.....no difference. Does anyone have proof such as Dyno's or 1/4 times that can confirm to challenge this argument? The manual states 93 preferred right?? I assume they did some testing before publishing that.

I have only ever put 93 shell V Power in my tank and am scared to death to try anything else. Something that bothers me is the brand of gas. I've been told that Shell is the BEST and WORST equally. Does anyone really have a clue?

Fascinating......

[n116ebo]

In my town in west Texas, I have seen no postings of 93. 91 octane is everywhere and most say up to to 10% ethanol. Wish I could find some 93. So If I were to ever get a Jannetty tune, I would have to ask for a 91 tune. sucks!

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by Without Remorse

This is a great thread because I have wondered a lot of these things. So a couple of people have stated that 93 or 91.....no difference. Does anyone have proof such as Dyno's or 1/4 times that can confirm to challenge this argument? The manual states 93 preferred right?? I assume they did some testing before publishing that.

I have only ever put 93 shell V Power in my tank and am scared to death to try anything else. Something that bothers me is the brand of gas. I've been told that Shell is the BEST and WORST equally. Does anyone really have a clue?

Fascinating......

I just someone to actually give me a breakdown of what Techron is.

[ravensjeff]

Tom- I think your making a mountain out of a mole hill here. Premium at 91 or 93?? It gets to you because someone says 93 is required instead of 91? I think you have to remember that alot of times it is based on ones location in what they would say is required for premium. As multiple people pointed out, 93 isn't available where they live and 91 isn't either. I don't think its because they can't read the owners manual.

My automatic LS3 engine requires 93 octane.


It is a converted L99, forged, balanced and blown. Lingenfelter actually puts a sticker right next to the gas cap to state that 93 is the minimum.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

Tom- I think your making a mountain out of a mole hill here. Premium at 91 or 93?? It gets to you because someone says 93 is required instead of 91? I think you have to remember that alot of times it is based on ones location in what they would say is required for premium. As multiple people pointed out, 93 isn't available where they live and 91 isn't either. I don't think its because they can't read the owners manual.

My automatic LS3 engine requires 93 octane.


It is a converted L99, forged, balanced and blown. Lingenfelter actually puts a sticker right next to the gas cap to state that 93 is the minimum.

Yes but we're talking stock Camaros not the Lingenfelter. I'm not sure how it is in MD but 93 isn't something you can get at a regular station out here in Arizona and several other west coast states. Usually the best you can do at a regular pump is 91. That isn't to say 93 doesn't exist out here but it usually sold as a specialty blend and can be much more pricey than 91.

[EM1/SS]

I filled up my tank today at a Sunco station and the difference between 91 and 93 was 3 cents per gal. I just used the 93.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by EM1/SS

I filled up my tank today at a Sunco station and the difference between 91 and 93 was 3 cents per gal. I just used the 93.

Well if it was like that here I probably would too.

[Noturday]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

The more ethanol in the blend the more money at the pump.

this must be why E85 was $0.40 cheaper than regular unleaded down in NW Houston...??? i though about switching to it until prices went back down. except i would have been filling up a lot more often.

[VTXrider]

Originally Posted by Without Remorse

This is a great thread because I have wondered a lot of these things. So a couple of people have stated that 93 or 91.....no difference. Does anyone have proof such as Dyno's or 1/4 times that can confirm to challenge this argument? The manual states 93 preferred right?? I assume they did some testing before publishing that.

I have only ever put 93 shell V Power in my tank and am scared to death to try anything else. Something that bothers me is the brand of gas. I've been told that Shell is the BEST and WORST equally. Does anyone really have a clue?

Fascinating......

All gas stations get their gas from the pipeline, it is all basically the same gas. Shell puts in a gallon on one end and immediate takes out a gallon on the other end. It is not the same gallon they produced, it is from any other refiner. Actually here in Florida Citco makes 40% of the fuel delivered to gas stations in Florida. I can tell you Citco is at most 5% of the stations. Then each brand puts their additives in. There is not much difference between any of the "Top Tier" Brands. If fact when you talk premium gas there is not much different in any brand.

[HumanWiki]

Originally Posted by VTXrider

All gas stations get their gas from the pipeline, it is all basically the same gas. Shell puts in a gallon on one end and immediate takes out a gallon on the other end. It is not the same gallon they produced, it is from any other refiner. Actually here in Florida Citco makes 40% of the fuel delivered to Florida. I can tell you Citco is at most 5% of the stations. Then each brand puts their additives
in. There is not much difference between any of the "Top Tier" Brands. If fact when you talk premium gas there is not much different in any brand.

Outside of needing 93 for my blower.. honestly, I worry more about a shoddy station's storage and pumping systems and them pumping water and other contaminants in to my car than brand.

[VTXrider]

Originally Posted by HumanWiki

Outside of needing 93 for my blower.. honestly, I worry more about a shoddy station's storage and pumping systems and them pumping water and other contaminants in to my car than brand.

I can agree with that, If the equipment at the station is old I'll avoid it. They recently had a wave of inspections around here, I can't tell you how many stations had to close until they replaced their storage tanks, and some of them the pumps. I think 1/3 of the stations on my drive home closed at the same time to replace their tanks!

[GRYGOOS]

Originally Posted by EM1/SS

I filled up my tank today at a Sunco station and the difference between 91 and 93 was 3 cents per gal. I just used the 93.

The local Sunoco here has 93 and 91 priced the same as 89 on Sundays only. Local Mustang GT guy tipped me off to this. You bet your A$$ I fill up with 93 every Sunday. Normally it is 20 cents more than 89 and 5 cents more than 91. Right now it is $4.05 but "only" $3.85 on Sunday.

[HumanWiki]

Originally Posted by VTXrider

I can agree with that, If the equipment at the station is old I'll avoid it. They recently had a wave of inspections around here, I can't tell you how many stations had to close until they replaced their storage tanks, and some of them the pumps. I think 1/3 of the stations on my drive home closed at the same time to replace their tanks!

Had an argument a long time ago at a station while I was still active in Scouting. The pump was actually spitting out water over gas due to leakage... Too late for us though as the damage to our bus was already done. Took several hours of labor in a parking lot and a couple trips to an auto parts store to fix the issue.

[BATMANs]

Originally Posted by TOMS1SS

Crude oil prices increasing and environmentalists.

that could be part of it, but what I've overheard some people talking at this table a couple of years ago was that one of the oil companies has a patent to make cheap octane and no one wanted to pay the royalties.