View Full Version : Suitable petrol for Supra - poll and thoughts
Right then, to clear up this fuel thing lets see what people run.
PS I mean in a Supra only...and if you have 2 (Syed) just pick one!!!
Mods....can you make this a sticky please.
MONKEYmark
25-02-03, 21:49
Optimax @ over 1 bar of boost
use for peace of mind, and at strip i add a bottle of octane booster
ps i use it all the time. just to clear it up
To clarify...thanks to marks comment...I'm talking about commuting/usual driving. The run to Tesco's etc (how many Ferrari's can use that analogy!!! :D )
Ive been told that a Uk Supra can run quite happily on normal unleaded, so on a daily basis thats what i use, car runs at 1.00 bar). If i go to 1.4bar then its always super unleaded, but the nearest to me is ususally esso super unleaded.
Ive been told that a Uk Supra can run quite happily on normal unleaded, so on a daily basis thats what i use, car runs at 1.00 bar). If i go to 1.4bar then its always super unleaded, but the nearest to me is ususally esso super unleaded.
Originally posted by ad500
Ive been told that a Uk Supra can run quite happily on normal unleaded, so on a daily basis thats what i use, car runs at 1.00 bar). If i go to 1.4bar then its always super unleaded, but the nearest to me is ususally esso super unleaded.
Stock UK spec yes
Gaz Walker
25-02-03, 23:16
Optimax on all cars regardless of engine (obviously not if its a diesel ;))
What people still don't realise is the higher octane returns a better MPG, which at least covers the different in fuel price between normal and optimax - still trying to get all my friends to use it, have only turned a few so far!
Gaz.
Terminator
26-02-03, 00:47
Optimax and booster all the time, trying to get to the 101 ron zone
Gaz Walker
26-02-03, 08:33
Pretty convicing so far!
Gaz.
When I can get it, Optimax, but the nearest Shell garage is 30 miles away so usually Super Unleaded with Octane Booster.
Im running just below 1 bar at the mo BTW.
Tom.
Patrick_Devlin
26-02-03, 09:59
Optimax, all the time now. Used to run normal UL but will not go back now I'm running Optimax.
Mind you, its a bit of a pain in the arse trying to find Shell garages in places you've never been to before. That fuel gauge has been well below the "E" sometimes.
However, I've now got a booklet from Shell detailing all the garages they have in the UK... handy
:)
Originally posted by Patrick_Devlin
However, I've now got a booklet from Shell detailing all the garages they have in the UK... handy
Cool, I'll have to get me one of these.
I always keep a couple of bottles of Octane Booster in the car in case I get caught on the hop - happens a lot round here.
Patrick_Devlin
26-02-03, 10:32
Originally posted by outatime
Cool, I'll have to get me one of these.
I always keep a couple of bottles of Octane Booster in the car in case I get caught on the hop - happens a lot round here.
I phoned up the head office and asked if they had anything like that and they sent it out to me... nice
Optimax all the time, my Supe is used as my normal day car.
Optimax all the time for me.
No problem getting it round where I am as there are two Shell stations close to me.
Optimax, always i use my car daily so get through a fair amount of juice, car seems to run better on it-prob cos its a j-spec and seems to get better mpg, but then i could just be imagining it!
I well be on first name terms soon with my 3 local shell garages that i seem to be forever in!!
Optimax always, with the occasional 10% mix of toluene if I know I'm going to be going mad.
Norwich has at least four shell garages :p
-Ian
Originally posted by Gt4Brody
Optimax, always i use my car daily so get through a fair amount of juice, car seems to run better on it-prob cos its a j-spec and seems to get better mpg, but then i could just be imagining it!
I well be on first name terms soon with my 3 local shell garages that i seem to be forever in!!
Me too, I have a Shell garage 1/2 mile from my house, so always fill up there, everyone who works there knows me and my car, and if I ever pull into the garage in a different car, they always ask where it is.
Originally posted by Ashley Willis
Me too, I have a Shell garage 1/2 mile from my house, so always fill up there, everyone who works there knows me and my car, and if I ever pull into the garage in a different car, they always ask where it is.
Exactly the same for me, they all recognise me. Good stuff that Optimax, and at least you know that all the Shell garages will have it, not like SUL when you never know if they will or not, and even then it's always on one pump over the other side of the garage!
please excuse my ignorance, but can someone tell me what a sticky is??
Originally posted by dpepper
please excuse my ignorance, but can someone tell me what a sticky is??
Its when a thread (topic) is placed at the top of the list. Even if there are no replies it will stay at the top for all to see :)
I tend to recycle my old cooking oil, but I cant see that as one of the options!
:looney:
I use optimax in all my cars. The best pump fuel about IMHO. I will also continue to use it until I am given FACTS on it's so-called problems, rather than "I am god, take what I say without question" (the Mycrotch approach).
Ive found a local Shell garage and filled up with Optimax. It just said "Optimax Unleaded", not "Super Unleaded optimax" or anything similar, which i thought it would. Im hoping that this is the right stuff 79.9p per litre if that helps, i though it would be 84 or something, let me know if ive just filled with normal unleaded.
I guess this makes me look like i need someone to hold my hand and guide me. Sad...
Originally posted by ad500
Ive found a local Shell garage and filled up with Optimax. It just said "Optimax Unleaded", not "Super Unleaded optimax" or anything similar, which i thought it would. Im hoping that this is the right stuff 79.9p per litre if that helps, i though it would be 84 or something, let me know if ive just filled with normal unleaded.
I guess this makes me look like i need someone to hold my hand and guide me. Sad...
Thats the stuff, plain and simple Optimax Unleaded, price sounds right as well.
Enjoy :)
Optimx 80% of the time Over 1 bar 20% of the time Super Unleaded.
www.shell.co.uk
Click shell for motorists, then fuel.
Matt Harwood
27-02-03, 23:02
Originally posted by Ian C
Optimax always, with the occasional 10% mix of toluene if I know I'm going to be going mad.
Norwich has at least four shell garages :p
-Ian
So where can I find a Toluene garage?
Originally posted by Matt Harwood
So where can I find a Toluene garage?
Yeah, what is that stuff, a 10% mix sounds allot, do you buy it by the bucket load.
Need4Speed
27-02-03, 23:47
Shouldn't we be talking to Shell about a group buy then:D
Optimax also for me, luckily macclesfield has two shell outlets - good job really - i got banned from one of them, tosser behind the counter tried ripping me off.
___________________________________________
nick
I use mainly optimax on mine (max boost ~1.3bar), and have to say there have been absolutely no probs with it. Pre decatting, I tried adding millers to it once, but there was no discernable difference. Funny thing is, in the past, I have found more of a difference when running super-unleaded in combination with millers.
Rgds,
--Raoul.
FWIW guys I have been using Optimax with that NF booster which seems to work very well. I want to stick it on a RR & see if it will run the 106 RON map without det. I'll let you know.
Esso S/U, Opti'...
[+ Millers at Pod both times.... in case it's makin a difference]
So where can I find a Toluene garage?
Just as a 'side'..... we normally use 'Easy Start' in work to get
stubborn diesels to get going (ie. ALL diesels ! ! !)
BUT, just got in a 'cheapo' version from our 'cheapo' suppliers...
It's called Startspray or some stupid name.? !
the interesting (?) thing is, whereas Easy-Start is based on Naptha
and Ether (both EXTREMELY volatile = easy to 'start':sly: )
the 'cheapo' brand is based on ........TOLUENE ! !
I will of course be makin' enquiries as to there source of Tol' :)
[They make/package their own stuff, so might be able to
locate source ! ! ! !]
(ps. didn't think Tol' was much more flammable than petrol ? ? but
I could EASILY be wrong ? ?)
FatS
I harvest my toluene from the Tol trees I have in the garden. Imported from Lithuania, the sap is 86% volatile chemical.
What I definitely don't do* is get it from a chemical sales place and sign a form saying it won't be used for fuel.
-Ian
*This is actually true. I get Alex to do it because I'm a lazy bastard.
Matt Harwood
06-03-03, 08:30
Alex! - Can you pass on any details..
Originally posted by Matt Harwood
Alex! - Can you pass on any details..
Step 1: Open yellow pages
Step 2: Find Chemical Distributors section
Step 3: Dial no.
Step 4: Place order
Step 5: Sign some odd disclaimer about not using it for fuel
Step 6: Load a 90-10 mix of optimax and toluene into the tank.
Step 7: Take her out for a spin (the car not your miss's)
Step 8: Grin
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Alex Holdroyd
[B]Step 5: Sign some odd disclaimer about not using it for fuel
And when they ask what is it for, we say...................................?
Originally posted by Terry S
.......paint thinning.
Bloody Hell, ill have to become a serial decorator to get through that much :p
Normal boggo Esso SUL for me, at 1-1.1bar depending on air temp. Not willing to trust Shell after the 'Formula Shell' thing until Optimax has been round a lot longer. Have a UK, so I figure as it's designed to run on NUL it should be fine on SUL.
I normally run at 1.2bar my preference is Shell Optimax but I cant always find a Shell garage when I want one, then I look for Super unleaded then failing that the normal unleaded goes in...Its all a question of availability.
Used to run petrol/toluene mix in my race bikes nice gear......:)
Aerotop Dave
02-04-03, 22:26
er, sorry, help the newb here...
1) Why can't you just put ordinary unleaded in?
2) Do J spec cars need different fuel to UK cars?
3) How can you get better mpg when the fuel pump is putting the stuff through at the same rate? (not having a go, I just can't get my brainbox around how that theory works!)
4) Is this all about improved performance or to prevent wear and tear on the engine?
5) The boost thing - I take it these are mods? Can you actually adjust the boost or something on standard cars?
Thanks folks :)
Oh, almost forgot: :moo:
The higher OCTANE is mainly to prevent Pre-Ignition/detonation,
ie. to SAVE THE ENGINE, when using higher boost/hotter temps'
as with BPU'd cars (de-catted/zorst etc)
It CAN have the added advantage of actually producing
'slightly' higher power....... IF the ignition timing is manually/or/
automatically adjustable (the Supra knock-sensor system adjusts
to suit fuel rating ! !)
THINK that's it...?
[sorry, boost is higher JUST because you de-cat on the Supra ! !
- works to lesser degree on ALL turbo cars normally - more OUT,
more IN !]
JCresswell
01-05-03, 09:06
I Have always put high Octane, premium, super unleaded into my supra, only cause ive been told that high performance Bikes n Cars perform much better! MPG and BHP, as im fairly new here and to my Supra, i used to Race Bikes, (not in a perfesional way) and I always Put 97 into her and an octane booster AND lead replacement (Red X) because @ 14,000 rpm your vaulves get a fucking kicking and the lead protects them! I would put RED X into the Supra if it wasnt for the fact that she is stock with 2 Cats @ the MO.........Super Drager 2 cumming up with a 2nd cat removing pipe!:eek: can i swear?
ive recently changed to bp SUL and experience quite a bit less knock compared to optimax??
Maybe the Optimax you were getting was not fresh/well stored. So had a lower octane?
Originally posted by Syed Shah
Maybe the Optimax you were getting was not fresh/well stored. So had a lower octane?
i think u may b right, but its a large busy station near a motorway. i dont know why i just know it has.
Well as a comparison, you could try Optimax from different stations and see if the difference holds true?
Would be interesting to know.
Supradude666
16-07-03, 23:41
its Optimax all the time baby yea well for my N/A supra and my dads Skyline atleast..
after using Optimax i wouldnt use anything less especially not in a supra.... uk spec or jap it dont matter....:flame Dev
Has anyone actually tested Optimax or seen a test review?
The only fairly accurate test I have performed is for MPG.
Filling up with Optimax eight times, I averaged 22.1mpg over a 2500 miles (approx) period.
Filling up with standard unleaded eight times, I averaged 23.0mpg, again over a 2500 miles (approx) period.
I didn't notice any increase in perfomance, only an increase in fuel costs!
I have spoken to one expert and one person who makes/cleans/tests fuels and injectors for a living. Both have said that optimax is better than normal SUL, BUT, that it has a very short shelf life. I was quoted 2 weeks, so assuming it's in the tanks a week that gives you a week to use it. One guy also said that every 10 fill ups you should run a tank of Texaco SUL as this has the most effective fuel system cleaning additive.
Patrick_Devlin
13-08-03, 12:33
When I first started using Optimax I saw a slight increase in fuel economy and an increase in responsiveness and performance. Since then my fuel economy has decreased somewhat with the removal of the CATS and the fitting of a Hiper and a heavier right foot:)
chuck_legend
15-02-04, 20:31
I have just bought myself my first supra. its a j-spec tt and i
have just been using normal petrol which i am guessing is taboo so think i will start using the optimax. have a shell at top of my road so its all good
chuck_legend
15-02-04, 20:35
what effects will just using normal fuel have, just out of interest???
Supradude666
15-02-04, 23:05
im no expert but AFAIK lower octane fuel burns at a lower temperature so an in an engine designed for 100 octane fuel it can cause premature detonation which isnt good.. uk(normal) fuel is lower octane about 95-97 octane fuel
but like i said im no expert its just wat ive read/ heard..
toyotasuprauk
15-02-04, 23:10
Originally posted by 43troy
The only fairly accurate test I have performed is for MPG.
Filling up with Optimax eight times, I averaged 22.1mpg over a 2500 miles (approx) period.
Filling up with standard unleaded eight times, I averaged 23.0mpg, again over a 2500 miles (approx) period.
I didn't notice any increase in perfomance, only an increase in fuel costs!
Mines a NA so slightly different but I found it made no difference in performance to use optimax and it made the car less economical too.
Supradude666
16-02-04, 22:46
Mines an N/A too but i did notice a slight increase in accleration the car felt more responsive with optimax in (well i thats how it felt)
but yea i agree not as economical i find i fill up more using optimax than say texaco super unleaded
(edited to correct rubbish late night spelling)
I use 92 octane unleaded (that would be called our premium gas) here as that is the highest octane we can buy here in Washington State, USA in a gas station. Some states have 93 octane and some only have 91 octane.
We can buy racing fuel in 100 octane and 104 octane in unleaded from an oil compnay distributor if we want, but it costs a lot more money. There is one truck stop station, that is owned by the local Chevron (Standard Oil) distributor, in my little town of Longview, Wa that has 100 unleaded racing fuel at the pump.
richy2jz-gte
23-02-04, 13:24
i gained 7bhp by using esso super unleaded over optimax in my audi quattro 1.8t running 1.2 bar
optimax=247bhp
esso super=254bhp
i noticed also that optimax has short hioctane life as i came home from a week on holiday started my mota up and it ran like a sack of crap till i put some fresh fuel in.
ive got an NA with de cat etc but nothing to fancy.
Should i be using optimax???
Cheers
Optimax, Ultimate or SUL.
Never super market or 95 ron.
Always in a turbo but not always a Supra ;)
Ant.
I read today in Jap Perfomance magazine, that they reckon BP Ultimate is 102 RON, I couldnt believe what I was seeing!
I also see that mate..haven't used it myself so couldn't comment..would like to know if it was better than optimax or not..:)
Late to the thread as usual, but just for information:
Standard unleaded is 95 RON
Premium unleaded is 97 RON
BP Ultimate is also 97 RON (I though 98, but it isn't)
http://subsites.bp.com/ultimate/uk/petrol/default.asp
Shell Optimax is 98 RON
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=uk-en&FC2=/uk-en/html/iwgen/shell_for_motorists/fuels/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/uk-en/html/iwgen/shell_for_motorists/fuels/questions_answered_0731-2003.html#6
Standard UK Supras can run 95 RON, but will like 97 better.
Standard J-Spec Supras run on 100 RON in Japan, but the engine is perfectly OK with 98 and can cope with 97. 95 RON in a J-Spec is a bad thing.
Hope this helps.
500hpsupra6spd
04-05-04, 22:51
I usually run 1.0 bar and whack it up to 1.4/1.5 on hybrids,I always use optimax with a bottle of miller cvl.
FWIW - I've not heard of any cars running "better" on BP Ultimate
Originally posted by splurge
Late to the thread as usual, but just for information:
Standard unleaded is 95 RON
Premium unleaded is 97 RON
BP Ultimate is also 97 RON (I though 98, but it isn't)
http://subsites.bp.com/ultimate/uk/petrol/default.asp
Shell Optimax is 98 RON
http://www.shell.com/home/Framework?siteId=uk-en&FC2=/uk-en/html/iwgen/shell_for_motorists/fuels/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/uk-en/html/iwgen/shell_for_motorists/fuels/questions_answered_0731-2003.html#6
Standard UK Supras can run 95 RON, but will like 97 better.
Standard J-Spec Supras run on 100 RON in Japan, but the engine is perfectly OK with 98 and can cope with 97. 95 RON in a J-Spec is a bad thing.
Hope this helps.
Whilst RON is good it is not everything. example, a dedicated turbo fuel may only be 102 octane, but may allow you to run more boost that a 112 octane fuel not designed for turbo's. There are certain anti detonation additives that are added specifically to turbo fuels.
So, maybe say Texaco uses different additives to Shell etc. I found I could run no more boost or timing on Optimax than Texaco SUL.
Patrick_Devlin
03-06-04, 15:38
Any that I can afford :p :D :flame Dev
vBulletin® v3.7.2, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.