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Don't want to repeat previous discussions on this, but have read all of the posts on the subject and would be grateful for some answers to the following questions:

 

- I currently have a NA Manual;

- Always used standard supermarket fuel;

- no issues with performance.

 

If I decide to use V-Power:

 

- will it make any difference and if yes, how long will it take for me to notice anything, i.e. instant or after 1-2 tankfuls?

- how big a difference is it likely to make?

- Is there any benefit is waiting until my current tank is empty or will a 50% mix be useful?

 

Thanks.

Featured Replies

You won't really notice it on the NA. Ideal for TT engines to prevent det on boosting.

Differences will most likely be un-noticeable apart from to your wallet! In theory a higher octane fuel should burn producing a few extra horses but if its a normal road car you will most likely not feel any different

Just stick to decent quality standard unleaded petrol e.g. Shell, Texaco etc.

 

I won't put supermarket fuel in my Zed though.

Just stick to decent quality standard unleaded petrol e.g. Shell, Texaco etc.

 

I won't put supermarket fuel in my Zed though.

 

Aftermarket fuel is no different from regular forecourt fuel. Sainsbury, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose all buy from the big fuel producers, such as Esso, Shell, BP etc.

TBH I also doubt you'll notice much difference; apart from maybe a few extra miles to a tankfull.

 

On a standard NA super unleaded is not necessary - I have a UK spec TT and the car is fine on regular 95RON. Although I do notice a slight improvent using super or V-power in very hot weather (like over 26 degrees).

 

And Si is right about supermarket fuels; there are only a few refineries countrywide, so most fuel stations get their stock from the same sources! Albeit some brands are supposed to add beter quality additives or detergents.....

 

Me, I only use Shell or BP but that is because I collect Pluspoints or Nectar points. I'm not going to spend £80 on a tankful and not earn something back.....

 

Richard:cool2:

I have something to say............ It's better to burn out than to fade away..... :tt2:

I had a similar conversation with my next door neighbour when he got back from WRC New Zealand a few weeks back.

He works for one of the worldwide race fuel suppliers to WRC and F1 and has been involved in this line of work for a long time.

 

 

There are apparently several factors that will have an effect on the quality of the fuel that you fill up with, regardless of being 95RON/97RON or pre packed race fuel.

 

Obviously initial source is key (I'll go into this a little more shortly)

 

The fuel quality decreases every time that it is moved from one location to another (ie. from the delivery lorry to the forecourt storage tank and from the storage tank to your car).

Fuel will also have a tendency to degrade over a very short period of time or through significant fluctuations in temperature.

 

If you fill up with V-POWER that has been sat in the storage tank for a significant amount of time it can be very similar grade to standard forecourt fuel purchased elsewhere, if the standard fuel has just been delivered.

 

His advise was to fill up at a petrol station if you can see that they've just taken a delivery.

 

 

With regards to the fuel source being important, he told me of an occassion in the US where a UK based motorsport company was running several expensive purpose built race cars in the US.

The cars were built in the UK and shipped over for the racing season.

 

The penny pinching sponsors informed my neighbours company that they didn't require the sealed fuel that they would normally use as the cost of shipping it etc was expensive and that they had sourced a 'race' fuel supplier in the US that was significantly cheaper.

 

despite being advised against using this, the company insisted on using the locally purchased race fuel.

 

Within the week they were back in contact with the UK fuel supplier asking how long it would take to get a whole seasons worth of UK race fuel across to them, and that cost was not an issue.

 

On their first run out of the cars several of the engines had literally melted their pistons.

 

The reason was poor quality fuel, great for tractor engine powered American V8's but absolutely disasterous when used with a fine tuned engine that was mapped for high quality purposely 'brewed' UK race fuel.

 

and that was the US equivalent of race fuel.

 

Japan however I believe have a slightly better quality of standard fuel than the UK.

 

 

If anybody is interested I've been offered race fuel for my 'Z' at a guaranteed compatative price.

 

I'll be running it from now on for track days etc. so if anybody would like further details let me know and I'll get some figures off him.

 

the race fuel is delivered in sealed containers

Totally agree with the above! Since I only use my Z at weekends in good weather, I rarely put more than about £20 in of higher octane fuel unless I'm going on a jaunt to France. I see no point in brimming it for it to sit in the tank festering away reducing RON.

...I will add though, that US rated fuel is different in terms of measurement. They rate their fuel in Octane, whereas we rate ours in RON. 91 Octane in the US is the equivelent to our 'higher octane' fuels and are of good quality. Z32TTs with uprated boost levels run more than happily on this stuff. You have 89 and 87 octane which are cheaper varients. 89 being similar to our regular 95RON fuels and 87Octane used for regular lower powered/4 cylinder/higher mileage/older cars.

Edited by FunkySi

Aftermarket fuel is no different from regular forecourt fuel. Sainsbury, Tesco, Morrisons and Waitrose all buy from the big fuel producers, such as Esso, Shell, BP etc.

 

they dont...supermarkets buy from the "open market" and it could of sat around for 12 months prior to going in your car. I do work for a guy who has a BP franchise and he told me supermarkets are constantly bidding for the cheapest open market fuel and will buy off anyone:sad:

Edited by znut

I put ultimate in the vectra and i get more mpg out of a tank than i do with normal stuff.

 

I dont know why but i do. so over a full tank i save more money lol!!

I do tend to get better milage from £10 worth of V Power or similar Super unleaded compared to £10 worth of Tesco or Shell 95octane normal unleaded during normal driving conditions i.e sticking to the speed limit and not booting it! A good 10 miles extra even though V power costs more and your getting less litres for your money.

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Author

Filled up with V-Power today just to see if it makes any difference.

 

Already had 2 gallons in the tank, so if it does anything, how quickly should it start acting?

 

I assume it mixes together slowly over time, and only becomes 100% new fuel once a few tankfuls have gone through?

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