Gas fuel information

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Gas fuel information
New to forum this info may have been posted before but here goes
Found this on the web

OCTANE stands for iso-octane, a standard fuel stock used for comparison against n-heptane, another standard fuel stock.
In 1928 the Cooperative Fuel Research Committee developed a detonation testing machine. Their single cylinder, valve-in-head, watercooled, 612cc test engine had variable compression. While running at 600 rpm, the engineers gradually increased compression until a knock indicator sensed detonation. The highest compression value that resists detonation is assigned a number. It is referred to as the Research Octane Number (RON).
Unfortunately, the 1912 test device was not accurate enough for modern engines. Or rather, the gasolines with high RON numbers weren't suitable for high-load, high-rpm use. So, a new test machine was devised. Similar in makeup to the RON unit, this one ran at 900 rpm, but incorporated variable ignition advance. With the new testing device, gasoline could be tested under a load that was similar to the severe, sustained high-speed and high-load conditions of modern engines.
The rating from this machine is called a Motor Octane Number (MON) and it is always lower than the RON.
The octane rating of a gasoline primarily controls the amount of heat the fuel can tolerate before a second flame front can get started. Some persons have described Octane Rating as the relative speed of combustion. In other words they believe octane governs how fast a fuel burns. That is incorrect. The speed of combustion, just superficially, may or may not decrease with higher octane in the standard methods of fuel testing in a research engine: Motor, Research, Aviation or Supercharged. The speed of combustion is more a factor of the ingredients of the fuel and the actual compression ratio in the engine being tested.
WHAT IS RON+MON/2?
RON+MON/2 is the anti-knock index number that is listed on the pump at your friendly local service station. It is derived by adding the RON figure to the MON and then dividing the sum by two. The difference between those two numbers indicates the fuel's sensitivity to detonation.

 

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WHICH OCTANE NUMBER SHOULD I BELIEVE?
While the MON is the only octane count of any real value, gas stations don't post it. All you are given is the anti-knock index number. That could be misleading. A gas with a lower MON and a higher RON could have the same index number as a gas with a lower RON and a higher MON. The numbers don't always jive with the desired result. What you want is the highest possible MON, but the oil companies don't tell you that. The only way you can judge is by how your car runs.
If you are buying race gas, always ask for the Motor Octane Number (MON).
HOW MUCH OCTANE DOES PREMIUM UNLEADED HAVE?
That depends. In most states it's 92-octane. But, California has recently switched to 91-octane. In remote, low pollution areas, it's still possible to find 93-octane premium unleaded. If you live in Colorado (or at 10,000 feet) the best pump gas at the local station will only be 87-octane unleaded (engines require less octane at high elevations).
WILL MY CAR/BIKE RUN BETTER WITH MORE OCTANE?
No! Not if it runs correctly on pump gas. If an engine can be ridden under a race load without detonating-even with 91-octane unleaded premium-you seldom find hidden power in $6-a-gallon race gas. Octane alone doesn't dictate how much horsepower an engine makes-and more octane does not equate to more power (in fact, sometimes the equation runs the other way).

 

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p3
WHAT ARE OXYGENATES?
Oxygenates are chemicals that contain oxygen, have a good anti-knock value and reduce the smogforming tendencies of exhaust gases. Oxygenates replace most of the aromatics previously used to boost octane in unleaded fuels. The EPA mandates that oxygenated fuel be used in major metropolitan areas. Cities that lie in these areas are labeled "Reformulated Gas Cities." Some of these Reformulated Gas Cities are only required to sell oxygenated fuel during the summer or when air quality is at its worst. But some, like Los Angeles, pump oxygenated fuel year round.
Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and ethanol are the two most common oxygenates. Ether is the active oxygenate in MTBE and corn alcohol is the active oxygenate in ethanol.
The downside of the oxygenate MTBE is that it might contaminate municipal water supplies. When ether mixes into water, it's very difficult to remove. Environmentalists want MTBE eliminated, but since the oil companies have yet to find a replacement oxygenate that has the same octane value as MTBE, the octane value of gasoline in high-density areas has lost an octane because of the reduction in MTBE.
WHAT ABOUT ETHANOL?
Ethanol is used in the corn growing states of the Midwest. The rest of the country gets MTBE because the oil companies only use ethanol where corn is readily available. The greatest expense in the gas business is the transportation and storage of gasoline. No one would pay the price ( in the works) to transport ethanol to California.

 

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WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS WITH ETHANOL?
Ethanol, like alcohol and brake fluid, is hydroscopic. That means it absorbs moisture. Since oil floats on water, there is a concern that moisture could cause the premix oil to separate in the gas. It's mostly a non-issue though, because ethanol is sold during the drier summer months. Plus, vigorous shaking before pouring, and agitation over whoops, doubles and triples keeps, the premix in a solution.
The quality of ethanol is also an issue. Each time ethanol is moved from one location to the next, it is opened and exposed to the atmosphere. If you get an old supply of ethanol, moisture contamination could have turned it into a cheap, lower octane gas. But, it will still be pumped into your gas can from a premium handle and at a premium price

 

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WHEN SHOULD I USE RACE GAS?
This is the $6-a-gallon question. There are five reasons you might need to run race gas: (1) If your engine has been modified with more ignition and compression, it will likely need more octane. (2) If you experience detonation with the best available premium unleaded. (3) If the consistency and quality of local pump fuel is questionable. (4) Some car/bike brands take to race gas better than others and, when re-mapped, re-jetted etc, mods , etc, produce more horsepower. (5) You're too cool and like to spend money

 

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ARE RACE GASES DIFFERENT?
Not all race gases are a smart buy. Pro Circuit sells $5.75-a-gallon, 108-octane VP C-12, but races with $11-a-gallon, 106-octane VP MR-2. Why? Although lower in octane, MR-2 has a higher energy value and can potentially make more horsepower in a carefully tuned race engine. Some of the factory teams use $15-a-gallon
MR-1, which has a higher energy value yet, but a lower octane of 95.
IS LEADED BETTER THAN UNLEADED?

 

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IS LEADED BETTER THAN UNLEADED?
As long as the octane is sufficient, motorcycle engines don't know the difference between leaded and unleaded gas. Lead is the easiest and most economical way to raise octane during the fuel formulization process. That is why the race gas you purchase will generally be of the leaded variety. Four-stroke engines designed before the advent of unleaded gasoline used lead to lubricate the valve seats. Most all cars run on UNLEADED NOW.
WHAT ABOUT OCTANE BOOSTERS?
Most octane boosters contain toluene. Like MTBE, any component that is strong enough to boost octane is harsh enough to harden seals and turn plastic gas tanks yellow. The quality of the end product is only as good as the gas you mix it with. Octane boosters are a Band-Aid fix for when race gas is not available (and the local supply of gasoline is questionable). The worse the gas, the more you will benefit from octane boosters.

 

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HOW FRESH SHOULD MY GAS BE?
If you use a plastic container, choose one with a darker color. Dark cans block out UV light better than white ones. Keep the gas in the shade and at a consistent temperature. Avoid wild swings in temperature that could make the fuel susceptible to evaporation and condensation.
It's best to use gas as soon as it is mixed and to keep the freshest supply on hand. As soon as you pour the fuel, immediately seal both tank's gas caps. If you ride every week and consistently run fuel through the bike's tank as well as the gas can, there is little concern of fuel breakdown.
HOW SHOULD I STORE MY FUEL?
Steel gas cans are better than plastic. Don't store fuel in a plastic gas tank or plastic gas can for longer than three weeks. If stored for extended periods in a plastic can the gases will evaporate through the porous plastic. You end up with a denser fuel that will effect jetting. Two months is the limit for gas in a steel can.
<-----Bikes----->

 

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DO FOUR-STROKES NEED MORE OCTANE?
Two-strokes stand to benefit more from higher octane fuel than four-strokes. The design of a two-stroke's pipe keeps more heat backed up against the cylinder and creates the potential for hot spots that could lead to detonation.
CAN MY STOCK BIKE BENEFIT FROM RACE GAS?
Compared to pump gas, the quality of race gas will always be closer to what it's claimed to be. Running race gas allows for the potential to jet leaner for more, crisper, cleaner-hitting power. But there are no absolutes here. The bike you are riding will run the best with the octane it is tuned to use. If you run race gas in an engine that's tuned for pump gas, it can actually hurt performance.

 

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CAN I MIX RACE GAS WITH PUMP GAS?
Yes. Lots of riders do it to save money. But don't think of it as improving the quality of pump gas, it's more like diluting the quality of the race gas. It does work, though, and many riders run a 50-50 mix of 92-octane pump gas and 100-octane race gas. The main caveat still remains, however: if your engine doesn't need race gas, it probably doesn't need a half-half mix either. Unless you have an unusual octane requirement and are on a tight budget, it's best to run pure race gas or pure pump gas.
WHAT ABOUT AVGAS?
Aviation fuel is controlled by a different agency and follows a different octane scale. Additives for altitude and temperature are also included, some of which are not compatible with premix oil for example if you run it in your 2 smoker. Unless you're thinking of jumping the Snake River on a rocket bike, avoid avgas.

 

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ARE RACE GASES DIFFERENT?
Not all race gases are a smart buy. Pro Circuit sells $5.75-a-gallon, 108-octane VP C-12, but races with $11-a-gallon, 106-octane VP MR-2. Why? Although lower in octane, MR-2 has a higher energy value and can potentially make more horsepower in a carefully tuned race engine. Some of the factory teams use $15-a-gallon
MR-1, which has a higher energy value yet, but a lower octane of 95.

 

[specialized7]

very good posts.rep given

 

[stephen12091985]

damn you must of been bored

 

[bundyho1]

CAN I MIX RACE GAS WITH PUMP GAS?
Yes. Lots of riders do it to save money. But don't think of it as improving the quality of pump gas, it's more like diluting the quality of the race gas. It does work, though, and many riders run a 50-50 mix of 92-octane pump gas and 100-octane race gas. The main caveat still remains, however: if your engine doesn't need race gas, it probably doesn't need a half-half mix either. Unless you have an unusual octane requirement and are on a tight budget, it's best to run pure race gas or pure pump gas.
WHAT ABOUT AVGAS?
Aviation fuel is controlled by a different agency and follows a different octane scale. Additives for altitude and temperature are also included, some of which are not compatible with premix oil for example if you run it in your 2 smoker. Unless you're thinking of jumping the Snake River on a rocket bike, avoid avgas.

I dare anyone to try avgas and tell me you cant feel the difference. Been using it for months now no problems.A buddy of mine gave me a visit the other day and he gave my blaster a run.He has rode it before when i was using pump gas.He is doing an lt250r rebuild and said that it is official ,he is running the av gas too.just a nice gain all around.Race gas around here is 8$ a gallon and avgas is only 3.50$

 

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I heard that avgas doesn't age like other gass, but not sure if that's fact

 

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Came across this?
This page can be used to approximate octane values when blending pump gasoline with racing fuel to increase average octane. Those who need high octane fuels often do not need to run straight racing fuel, but rather a blend that is somewhere in-between racing fuel and pump gasoline. It is assumed that the octane obtained from mixing fuels will be the simple average of the two.
ranney.com - Fuel Blending Calculator

 

[hammertime#205]

nice wright up. rep given

 

[99LRDblaster]

Came across this?
This page can be used to approximate octane values when blending pump gasoline with racing fuel to increase average octane. Those who need high octane fuels often do not need to run straight racing fuel, but rather a blend that is somewhere in-between racing fuel and pump gasoline. It is assumed that the octane obtained from mixing fuels will be the simple average of the two.
ranney.com - Fuel Blending Calculator

Here is another one.
Octane Calculator - www.bazellracefuels.com

 

[UncagedShadow]

Another thing to think of when buying gas with ethanol or MTBE added is to buy from a station that moves alot of gas. Since these additives are hydroscopic and they sit at the station then they will absorb water. The water will seperate the ethanol from the gas and sink to the bottom where all gas pumps and fuel pumps suck gas from.

 

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Here is another one.
Octane Calculator - www.bazellracefuels.com

nice rep given!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11