Ive been using regular unleaded gas on my em1 for the past months.ive heard that it affects performance but does it damage the engine using regular gasoline on a high compression engine?

 

Yes SIr....

 

I run 87 octane in my B16A2. It gets 37-43 MPG and runs GREAT!

Running Top Tier gasoline (Chevron, Shell, Texaco) will actually make your car last longer because of additives like Chevron/Texaco Techron, Shell V-Power, etcetera.

IMHO, you should stick with lower octane gas, but buy it from higher quality gas companies!

 

it wont hurt anything,theres a reason why engines have a knock sensor,the ecu will readjust the timing once it detects that a lower octane fuel is being used

 

so it's ok to use 87 if we want to save some money?

 

if that $1 difference during fillups kills your budget, maybe you should re examine your financial situation.
There's a reason the manual says to use premium.
Knock sensor or not. The knock sensoer is a passive safety, meaning that detonation has to already have happened in order for it to do anything. The damage could already have been done.

Look at it as relying on a heat activated sprinkler system vs a smoke activated one.

One won't do anything until the fire's already done some damage but will take care of the problem. The other will also take care of the problem, but will do so before ANY damage can be done.

 

I have actually done some mpg testing here in my built b16a and found that 89 has given me the best mpg out of 87, 89, and 93. I usually only use BP. I hardly use VTEC to begin with and 89 seems to be fine in my slightly lowered CR motor.

I would fill up for at least 4 weeks on each grade of gas from the same (if possible) station. That way it'll give you the results for which grade gives you the best mpg.

Also take a look at your plugs too while doing this to see if there is any evidence of knock. I get an average 27-28, mostly city with some hwy miles. On long trips i'm getting 33-34 mpg. This is with 89 and I usually get about 30 or so extra miles on a tank before my light turns on compared to 87 or 93.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IslandSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if that $1 difference during fillups kills your budget, maybe you should re examine your financial situation.

There's a reason the manual says to use premium.</TD></TR></TABLE>


Yeah, two reasons, as already stated...

1) Guilt
2) Ego

Add to that...

3) Self-doubt


I've owned a lot of different vehicles - motorhome - 4X4 - domestic muscle cars - hot imports - street/dirt/race bikes - ATCs - power boats - you name it! And, they all ran better on regular gas than premium...

Personally, I think 'they' got it backwards!

Regular gas packs more punch than premium gas, so called...

When you think about it - in a perfect world - regular gas would have the isooctane flame retardant in it, and premium gas would be the one that's so powerful it makes your engine 'knock'.

Money has NOTHING to do with it (except more profit for oil companies)!

If your vehicle is 'knocking' on regular gas - and premium fixes it - you got more problems than your choice of fuel! Premium gas is just putting a band-aid on it!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by blaze the chemi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I usually only use BP...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ford recommends BP gas for use in their vehicles - even put it on their gas caps.

Honda recommends Top Tier gas...

BDC recommends Top Tier regular gas!

LoL!

Seems like a decent compromise, yes?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlackDeuceCoupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I run 87 octane in my B16A2. It gets 37-43 MPG and runs GREAT!</TD></TR></TABLE>

What are you running on 3 cylinders to get that mileage?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ek4 life &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes SIr....</TD></TR></TABLE>


BTW, that didn't go unnoticed ~ good one!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EL Vap133 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What are you running on 3 cylinders to get that mileage? </TD></TR></TABLE>


You can see my ride by clicking on my 'nick' (profile)...

Basically, it's a '98 HX shell with a full '99 Si swap, e.g. lighter and faster than a Si - and better mileage too!

 

aite thanks guys then i guess il stick to regular gas

 

honda put premium fuel only on every acura gsr gauge cluster but im no wiz on fuel what i will tell you is tha when pull into a gas station some of them premium is 91 others its 93 so pay attention when you go get your gas.

 

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


Yeah, two reasons, as already stated...

1) Guilt
2) Ego

Add to that...

3) Self-doubt


I've owned a lot of different vehicles - motorhome - 4X4 - domestic muscle cars - hot imports - street/dirt/race bikes - ATCs - power boats - you name it! And, they all ran better on regular gas than premium...

Personally, I think 'they' got it backwards!

Regular gas packs more punch than premium gas, so called...

When you think about it - in a perfect world - regular gas would have the isooctane flame retardant in it, and premium gas would be the one that's so powerful it makes your engine 'knock'.

Money has NOTHING to do with it (except more profit for oil companies)!

If your vehicle is 'knocking' on regular gas - and premium fixes it - you got more problems than your choice of fuel! Premium gas is just putting a band-aid on it!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ummmm. Regular isn't any less powerful than premium. If you knock on regular, then you need to run premium. Its the knock resistance in the fuel, not your engine. Especially if you have a high compression ratio or boost then theres no way to "fix" knocking save using a higher octane fuel. Do you also think that people with race gas tunes have engine problems because they can't run that tune with premium? No.

 

Wow, "I run 87 octane in my B16A2. It gets 37-43 MPG and runs GREAT!" You sir are RICH. Do you drive like a turtle, you shift at 2000 RPM? Your MIDDLE gauge is not from an Si except the needle why is that?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EH_3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You sir are RICH. Do you drive like a turtle, you shift at 2000 RPM? Your MIDDLE gauge is not from an Si except the needle why is that?</TD></TR></TABLE>


Heh!

You're the first person that <u>ever</u> noticed my speedo is an EJ7 gauge with a EM1 needle - kudos!!!

It really IS an HX shell... and I thought it was fitting! You no likey?!?!?

I usually shift @ 3000-3200 RPM - seems about right for a B16A - 8000 RPM if I'm running it (limiter stops you @ 8200 RPM anyway)...

Basically, I drive the speed limit - most of the time - that's all!

I don't hypermile, ridgeride, or any of that horsesh!t...