Does it make a difference?

tanamerra · 06-15-2015, 07:34 AM

Sunoco 93 octane with 10% ethanol versus Shell 93 octane with no ethanol. Does it make any difference? Just wondering.

kenchan · 06-15-2015, 07:57 AM

my gas in my area pretty much all have some levels of corn inside.

kenchan · 06-15-2015, 07:58 AM

even the driver fuels himself with corn sometimes..

onzedge · 06-15-2015, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

even the driver fuels himself with corn sometimes..

Hotrodz · 06-15-2015, 08:16 AM

There aren't to many Sunoco station out west, but Shell gas is my favorite as it performs better than any other craptane in our region of the world. Ethanol does not impact the modern car like it did with older models.

Duc_Z09 · 06-15-2015, 08:17 AM

From my experience it makes more of a difference with things like motorcycles... in fact there's a swelling/cracking tank issue caused by ethanol.

I haven't heard of modern cars being too effected though.

SouthArk370Z · 06-15-2015, 08:20 AM

You get slightly fewer MPG with ethanol and it can cause water-related problems (but not that big of a deal if you buy from a station with clean storage tanks). I run no-ethanol gas when possible but have no qualms about filling up with gasahol when necessary.

As far as octane goes, all 93 rated fuels should have the same knock properties.

2011 Nismo#91 · 06-15-2015, 09:30 AM

Just for reference,
1gal pure gasoline contains 114,000 BTU of energy
1gal pure ethanol contain 76,100 BTU of energy
Or about 33.2% less energy
Less energy less mpg less range.

PS Due to how ethanol burns, through tuning and some mods more power can be produced easier with ethanol.

POS VETT · 06-15-2015, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanamerra

Sunoco 93 octane with 10% ethanol versus Shell 93 octane with no ethanol. Does it make any difference? Just wondering.

I wouldn't worry about such a small ethanol content.

Now, how did you come up with certainty of ethanol content? Do you own a reliable measuring device or did you go by the little stickers?

kenchan · 06-15-2015, 12:53 PM

we all go by the little stickers and posted whp

TexasChuck · 06-15-2015, 04:05 PM

Higher altitudes use lower Octanes, 92-91(Shell) because the air is thinner. Knot just my opinion, I did some serious checking. FWIW
PS: I been known to pull a corn cork.

06-15-2015, 07:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
tanamerra Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delaware Posts: 145 Drives: 2010 370Z Nismo Rep Power: 15	Does it make a difference? Sunoco 93 octane with 10% ethanol versus Shell 93 octane with no ethanol. Does it make any difference? Just wondering. __________________ 2010 370Z Nismo Motordyne M370, Injen cai, HKS cbe, Uprev, Work wheels, Radi-Cal brake kit

06-15-2015, 07:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	even the driver fuels himself with corn sometimes.. TerribleONE, Luciano13, RicerX and 2 others like this.

06-15-2015, 08:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hotrodz Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684384	There aren't to many Sunoco station out west, but Shell gas is my favorite as it performs better than any other craptane in our region of the world. Ethanol does not impact the modern car like it did with older models. __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

06-15-2015, 08:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Duc_Z09 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 876 Drives: With the blinker on. Rep Power: 23	From my experience it makes more of a difference with things like motorcycles... in fact there's a swelling/cracking tank issue caused by ethanol. I haven't heard of modern cars being too effected though. __________________ 2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot) 2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc) 2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

06-15-2015, 08:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	You get slightly fewer MPG with ethanol and it can cause water-related problems (but not that big of a deal if you buy from a station with clean storage tanks). I run no-ethanol gas when possible but have no qualms about filling up with gasahol when necessary. As far as octane goes, all 93 rated fuels should have the same knock properties. mayday813 and JARblue like this. __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

06-15-2015, 07:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	my gas in my area pretty much all have some levels of corn inside.

06-15-2015, 09:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,381 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	Just for reference, 1gal pure gasoline contains 114,000 BTU of energy 1gal pure ethanol contain 76,100 BTU of energy Or about 33.2% less energy Less energy less mpg less range. PS Due to how ethanol burns, through tuning and some mods more power can be produced easier with ethanol.

06-15-2015, 12:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	we all go by the little stickers and posted whp Hotrodz likes this.

06-15-2015, 04:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
TexasChuck Track Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SE Texas Posts: 556 Drives: 2014 Black Cherry Co Rep Power: 13	Octanes? Higher altitudes use lower Octanes, 92-91(Shell) because the air is thinner. Knot just my opinion, I did some serious checking. FWIW PS: I been known to pull a corn cork.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
4.08 FD difference?	JC671	Engine & Drivetrain	18	02-18-2014 11:02 PM
If you're doing FI catback does G3 make a difference?	ped	Intake/Exhaust	39	09-29-2013 12:20 PM
Does size really make a difference	Mr C	Brakes & Suspension	7	11-27-2012 07:21 PM
any difference	ScGRaceR	Nismo 370Z	3	01-26-2012 07:55 PM
the difference?	JakeZ34	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	46	12-16-2009 04:34 PM