Hi all, is it possible to run a 300ZX Z32 NA 1989 model on ordinary unleaded petrol? I have been using premium, and it's no problem for me to keep using the premium, but thought if I could get away with ordinary unleaded might as well save some pennies.

 

Cheers everyone.

I'd have thought it should be OK mate.....

 

.....the UK spec cars are fine with normal 95 ron unleaded (the manual specifies it!!)and they're all TTs; so I'm not sure why imports should need super. I thought the ECU should "adapt" itself for changes to fuel grades.

 

Richard:cool2:

always used normal petrol on ours never had any problems.

Normal unleaded is fine for a while, occasionally you get detonation/pinking from the lack of octane. Then fill up now and then with high octane.

 

I find with my N/A runs alot better and more efficient with high octane.

I'd have thought it should be OK mate.....

 

.....the UK spec cars are fine with normal 95 ron unleaded (the manual specifies it!!)and they're all TTs; so I'm not sure why imports should need super. I thought the ECU should "adapt" itself for changes to fuel grades.

 

Richard:cool2:

 

RichardSmith, your a star, thanks very much for the info mate......:thumbup:

Thanks everyone for all your help, it really is much appreciated..........

RichardSmith, your a star, thanks very much for the info mate......:thumbup:

 

No worries mate - like Graham says, run it on regular and see how it is.....

 

.....but if you find you're filling up more often, then maybe the extra MPG you get from super will offset the cost of the higher octane fuel anyway.

 

Also you may find you need to use super in the hot weather - I sometimes find that mine is better for it when the outside temp gets above 25 degrees!

 

Richard:cool3:

Actually it's more beneficial to use super unleaded in the winter, the air is colder in winter and therefore denser which means you get a leaner burn and should use a higher octane fuel, not so much in the summer where the air is much warmer, in a standard UK car regular premium unleaded will suffice in warmer conditions.

Ive used mine on normal unleaded for the last 12 months, jap import with a seized turbo so not been putting foot down, been ok. And yes the turbo has been seized 12 months :whistling:

i go for super unleaded myself or vpower if im passing a shell garage but i know sod all so dont listen to me

I used normal unleaded for a year and all was fine until I put in momentum/v-power 6 months ago. The difference was spectacular and almost immediate and I have never looked back.

 

Mine is also an NA and is now much faster and 2-3 mpg more economical.

 

BTW, I have found Tesco's Momentum better (and cheaper) than V-Power.

i go for super unleaded myself or vpower if im passing a shell garage but i know sod all so dont listen to me

 

lol......I'm sure that's not true, and thanks for your advice...:taz:

no seriiously..... i just assume that the most expensive has gotta be the best

Ive used mine on normal unleaded for the last 12 months, jap import with a seized turbo so not been putting foot down, been ok. And yes the turbo has been seized 12 months :whistling:

 

Fix it mate! :hammer:

how do you know if a turbo is seized??

Actually it's more beneficial to use super unleaded in the winter, the air is colder in winter and therefore denser which means you get a leaner burn and should use a higher octane fuel, not so much in the summer where the air is much warmer, in a standard UK car regular premium unleaded will suffice in warmer conditions.

 

Intersting mate....!

 

But surely extra combustion chamber heat can lead to pre-ignition (which is why turbo cars have intercoolers - to cool the heated air before it enters the intake). Hence in the summer when the ambient temp is higher, the intercoolers are not as effective. So to reduce the chance of pinking a higher octane fuel is better?

 

I sometimes found that my red ZX would go into safety boost on regular unleaded if the outside temp got over 27 degrees; but a swift top up with super would prevent it......

 

Richard:balloon:

I was told that it was seized when I got it, and also the boost won't go past zero, if I put my foot down it knid of stalls power when it should be boosting. I am going to go manual conversion and put my old engine n tubs in when I get around to it ............

I have a 89 N/A running mainly on 95ron with no issues :thumbup1:

I only use super when I'm feeling flush that's about once a year :laugh:

 

 

.

Actually it's more beneficial to use super unleaded in the winter, the air is colder in winter and therefore denser which means you get a leaner burn and should use a higher octane fuel, not so much in the summer where the air is much warmer, in a standard UK car regular premium unleaded will suffice in warmer conditions.

 

Intersting mate....!

 

But surely extra combustion chamber heat can lead to pre-ignition (which is why turbo cars have intercoolers - to cool the heated air before it enters the intake). Hence in the summer when the ambient temp is higher, the intercoolers are not as effective. So to reduce the chance of pinking a higher octane fuel is better?

 

I sometimes found that my red ZX would go into safety boost on regular unleaded if the outside temp got over 27 degrees; but a swift top up with super would prevent it......

 

Richard:balloon:

 

Agree with Richard 100% a higher ron rating means ignition retardant (more controlled burn / anti-knock...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

"Octane rating does not relate to the energy content of the fuel (see heating value). It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner. Where octane is raised by blending in ethanol, energy content per volume is reduced."

what you guys are thinking about BP petrol 102 octane?? It is expensive but does tit work good on z?