By:
Tim Wusz
Myth:
The
higher the octane, the slower the burn.
Fact:
In
many cases, high octane gasoline has faster
burning characteristics than low octane
gasoline.
It is rarely slower.
Myth:
Too
much octane reduces horsepower.
Fact:
Trying
a higher octane fuel and getting less performance
is usually due to introducing additional
variables with the different gasoline which
can be overcome by re-tuning the engine.
Myth:
Too
much octane will burn up my engine.
Fact:
The
only time your engine is aware of octane
is when it doesn�t have enough. Using a
higher octane than the engine needs does
not hurt or help.
Myth:
More
Tetraethyl Lead is better.
Fact:
Tetraethyl
Lead (TEL) increases the octane number of
the gasoline. It reduces spark plug life,
contaminates crankcase oil, and reduces
exhaust system life. More is not better.
Myth:
Leaded
gasoline makes more horsepower than unleaded.
Fact:
Leaded
gasoline is legal for �sanctioned off-highway
events only� and does not allow the engine
to make more power unless detonation is
present. More power can be made with a street
legal oxygenated unleaded gasoline than
with leaded gasoline as long as there is
no detonation.
Myth:
Adding
nitromethane to gasoline improves power.
Fact:
Nitro
knocks the octane number down severely,
and makes the mixture way too lean. Jeff
Smith, formerly of Hot Rod Magazine, tried
this a few years back and destroyed an engine
before he got the A/F ratio correct.
Myth:
Propylene
oxide is great stuff.
Fact:
It
can be after you find out that it eats soft
parts in the fuel system, needs to run richer,
needs to be stored in a cool place, evaporates
easily, and can be a disappointment with
improper tuning.
Myth:
Aviation
Gasoline is a good substitute for racing
gasoline.
Fact:
Aviation
Gasoline is designed for engines that run
at 2700 to 2800 RPM. If your race engine
runs at this speed, aviation gasoline is
the hot tip.
Myth:
I
can improve the racing gasoline by adding
a little of this or a little of that.
Fact:
We
put a lot of scientific effort into making
high quality racing gasoline. Being a backyard
blender can be hazardous to your health
and to your car�s performance. Don�t do
it.
Myth:
I
can save money by mixing street gasoline
with racing gasoline.
Fact:
Race
engines and performance street engines are
built for max performance. You will make
more power with racing gas, especially if
you use Rockett Brand 100 Unleaded Racing
Gasoline in a street engine.
Myth:
Octane
number is power.
Fact:
Octane
number is resistance to detonation. Higher
octane will increase power only
if detonation is present.
Myth:
The
octane requirement of my engine is always
the same.
Fact:
Operating
conditions like air temperature, barometric
pressure, humidity, and coolant temperature
have an impact on engine octane requirement
.
Myth:
Detonation
and Pre-ignition are the same.
Fact:
Detonation
can hurt your engine; Pre-ignition will
destroy it.
Myth:
I
want a slow burning gasoline for my race
engine.
Fact:
Slow
burning gasolines are not conducive for
maximum power. There is not much time for
combustion to take place at 6,000 to 10,000
RPM. Fast burn is best.
Myth:
All
racing gasolines are the same.
Fact:
There
are a variety of ways to make racing gasoline,
depending on what type of blending stocks
are used. Some are better than others. All
gasolines are not created equal.
Myth:
Storing
racing gasoline in plastic jugs is fine.
Fact:
Gasoline
is best stored in sealed metal containers.
Dark plastic jugs are acceptable, but light
colored plastic jugs allow gasoline color
changes and Tetraethyl Lead (TEL) deterioration.
The plastic caps can create sealing problems.
Use a metal container with a good sealing
screw cap and be sure of what you have.
Myth:
To
see if one racing gasoline is better than
another is, just pour it in and run it.
Fact:
A different
gasoline has to be part of the tune-up; just
like spark timing, carb jetting, camshaft,
valve lash, etc.
Don�t over-simplify it. |