is there a big performance difference between leaded and unleaded....ie....93 and 110, and will higher octane help with 1/4 mile times????? how safe is it to run leaded gas? For example will it mess up valves and rings???? ok with nitrous setups?????

 

Leaded fuel will mess-up your o2 sensor.Octane ratings are the resistance to detonation.The idea is not to buy the highest number you can afford,but to buy the LEAST octane you can run without detonation!Race blended fuels do have additives that add to power, but a 107 octane will make more power than a 110 octane if you don't need the detonation resistance.Typically the higher the octane the slower the fuel burns.
Glenn

 

Excellent explination Glenn

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NJIN BUILDR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Leaded fuel will mess-up your o2 sensor.Octane ratings are the resistance to detonation.The idea is not to buy the highest number you can afford,but to buy the LEAST octane you can run without detonation!Race blended fuels do have additives that add to power, but a 107 octane will make more power than a 110 octane if you don't need the detonation resistance.Typically the higher the octane the slower the fuel burns.
Glenn</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks for the explanation

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NJIN BUILDR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Leaded fuel will mess-up your o2 sensor.Octane ratings are the resistance to detonation.The idea is not to buy the highest number you can afford,but to buy the LEAST octane you can run without detonation!Race blended fuels do have additives that add to power, but a 107 octane will make more power than a 110 octane if you don't need the detonation resistance.Typically the higher the octane the slower the fuel burns.
Glenn</TD></TR></TABLE>

how would you know which octane is the better one to use....would you check the spark plugs after a couple of runs for a reading?????

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tkHBseries &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

how would you know which octane is the better one to use....would you check the spark plugs after a couple of runs for a reading?????</TD></TR></TABLE>

and if so in which way would you turn your decisions tuning wise?


Ed-

 

It takes experience to read plugs with leaded fuel,and next to imposable with unleaded.A good knock sensor will help,but the Honda ones are marginal at best.The thing is not to go wild and overestimate you octane requirements.Talk with your race fuel rep,octane numbers are just one of the things you need to consider.
Glenn