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running 93 octane

Discussion in 'Performance and Tuning' started by commtrd, Jun 24, 2009.

  1. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:38 PM
    #1
    commtrd

    commtrd [OP] commtrd

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    I had a road trip with around a thousand miles so I thought I would put the 93 octane to the test in my truck.('09 access cab v6)

    It seemed very sluggish and passing on the highway could get pretty iffy with the truck feeling like it was dragging an anchor. I hated it. Acceleration almost non-existent. I was using 93 octane from Chevron and others. Not sure if it had any ethanol in it or not. Gas mileage was not any better either. Inside of exhaust pipe outlet was covered with black soot where before it was relatively clean.

    So I spent about 25 to 30 cents a gallon extra and I am going back to regular unleaded. My truck just runs better on regular.
     
  2. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:40 PM
    #2
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    I highly doubt one tank of gas caused your exhaust to gunk up.

    Chevron doesn't use ethanol, at least not around here. If your truck runs better on 87 then go for it! It is cheaper anyway haha
     
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  3. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:45 PM
    #3
    commtrd

    commtrd [OP] commtrd

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    I used over three tanks. Going back to regular. My truck ran like shit on 93 octane.
     
  4. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:48 PM
    #4
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    That is interesting. The compression of our engines is supposed to perform better with higher octane. Not to mention chevron provides one of the highest quality gases you can easily get.
     
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  5. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:49 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I have never liked Chevron. My Trucks seems to not like Chevron, or Mobil....
     
  6. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:50 PM
    #6
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    Thats very interesting because my truck seems to thrive on it. Its the only chain i have found that my truck seems to like
     
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  7. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:53 PM
    #7
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    I think it has more to do with where th agasoline comes from, than it does the chain. Out here, We have 2 fuel distributers, that deliver the gas to the chains. We have Union, and Firebird. Fuel from Union seems to suck, while fuel from Firebird seems to give good performance.
     
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  8. Jun 24, 2009 at 1:57 PM
    #8
    DanGer

    DanGer Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    Good to know!
     
  9. Jun 24, 2009 at 2:42 PM
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    commtrd

    commtrd [OP] commtrd

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    I filled up at several different stations (not exclusively Chevron) twice at Valero stations once at an HEB and the rest at Chevron. I really don't feel like it is Chevron gasoline per se rather that the engine in my truck is not high enough compression to really need a slower burning gasoline. The results I got seem to bear that out. I have a Pro-Dry drop-in filter, Magnaflow muffler, 265/70/R17 tires and 5100's all around with the fronts set on 1 notch up so the lift is not excessive. In other words, the truck is not radically altered from stock. So my results did not indicate (to me) that it is a benefit to use 93 octane gasoline. Someone else may get better results on the higher octane from their truck which I cannot explain. All I can say is for the considerable higher cost of premium, the benefits were not there. It would be very interesting to know for sure what the control algorithms are implemented in the computer(s) for the 4.0 litre V6 engines. Also what the actual compression ratio is supposed to be in the V6. 93 octane is primarily there for use in higher-compression engines (and air-cooled etc.) to help prevent detonation due to higher compression and/or hotter running (air-cooled). Usually a higher-compression engine is said to be running well over 10 : 1 compression ratio.

    BUT if someone else's truck seems to run better on 93, then pay up! I am looking forward to getting all that 93 out of my tank so my truck will accelerate again.
     
  10. Jun 24, 2009 at 2:48 PM
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    commtrd

    commtrd [OP] commtrd

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    Maybe the 4-cylinder engines do run better on the higher octane gasoline. When I had my 2000 model with a 22RE 4-cyl. it ran like a top on regular. It REALLY hated any ethanol though...
     
  11. Jun 24, 2009 at 5:57 PM
    #11
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    He's talking about a V6. ;)

    My 4 banger seems to do pretty good for me with 91, don't have 93 around me. :)
     
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  12. Jun 24, 2009 at 6:27 PM
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    Phantom_X-SP

    Phantom_X-SP Rude Boy |><|

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    My truck kicks ass on 93 octane. I use Shell V-Power only.
     
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  13. Jun 24, 2009 at 6:30 PM
    #13
    derekabraham

    derekabraham Living vicariously through everybody

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    Mine ran great on 92 octane. 23 MPG. :D
     
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  14. Jun 24, 2009 at 6:52 PM
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    Veccster

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    I have been running both BP and Shell 93 and my truck feels so much better on it.

    It is very noticeable over the 87 I was using.

    I could even tell the difference between the BP 93 and the Shell V-Power. Shell will get my business!

    As for MPG, I am only getting about 1.5 mpg better. I am stretching my test over 5 tanks and have 2 more to go.
     
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  15. Jun 24, 2009 at 7:22 PM
    #15
    carmellocafe

    carmellocafe Begin With The End In Mind.

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    I had the same experience--Ran 91 for awhile, then 87. With the 91 it felt like driving with the e-brake on. I ran it down to near empty and filled up with 87 and it ran sooo much better. Much more responsive and better MPG. What gives??:confused:
     
  16. Jun 24, 2009 at 11:03 PM
    #16
    XrunnIT

    XrunnIT Well-Known Member

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    Going from 87/89 octane to 93 isn't going to make the truck perform badly. In most cases you won't see a difference running a higher octane, unless you are custom tuned, knocking, or running more spark advance then normal.

    You said that the tail pipe had a lot of black build up which tells me it was probably running rich. That seems to be your issue, not the octane level. Octane levels won't dictate what you AFR will be unless you custom tune it, or put the ECU into its low octane mode (I forget the technical name). If that's the case, then resetting the ECU will set it right.

    I would be willing to bet if you reset the ECU and continue to run the 93 it will run the same as it did before.

    You are correct with the purpose of higher octane, and you are correct that the 1gr is a 10:1 CR motor.

    During summer heat I highly recommend higher octane to protect the motor.
     
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  17. Jun 25, 2009 at 2:05 AM
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    dwntwnall4u

    dwntwnall4u Well-Known Member

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    Did you get 92 in San Diego? Where?
     
  18. Jun 25, 2009 at 3:52 AM
    #18
    coma09

    coma09 Senior Member. Hey, what's That supposed to mean?

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    87 has more 'power' than 93. The higher octanes are for higher compression engines, and don't detonate (ping) as easily as loer octane rating. The common misconception is 93 gives more power ... only if the engine has the higher compression (high performance engine, eg) So sports cars/'race' cars use 93 .. but not because it's more powerful fuel
     
  19. Jun 25, 2009 at 4:42 AM
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    Phantom_X-SP

    Phantom_X-SP Rude Boy |><|

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    [​IMG]
     
  20. Jun 25, 2009 at 10:29 AM
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    sriley727

    sriley727 Well-Known Member

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    I don't know if late model tacomas have knock sensors or not but if they do, the computer should advance the ignition timing when 93 is used and generate a little more power.
     

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