VE Fuel - E10 Unleaded

[Black_Utester]

As the sixes has a sticker inside the fuel flap saying that e10 unleaded can be used, a question is being posed.

For the less inclined to what type of fuel that's pumped into their ride, how many of you have started using or been using the new e10 unleaded from Caltex or ethanol mixed fuel?

Any performance issues?

[EddieVE06]

As the sixes has a sticker inside the fuel flap saying that e10 unleaded can be used, a question is being posed.

For the less inclined to what type of fuel that's pumped into their ride, how many of you have started using or been using the new e10 unleaded from Caltex or ethanol mixed fuel?

Any performance issues?

I saw that on my ve sv6, but am hesitant to try it. results would be interesting

[monaroCountry1]

E10 should be totally ok, if youve got the sticker then the car was designed for the fuel.

[Black_Utester]

E10 should be totally ok, if youve got the sticker then the car was designed for the fuel.

We realise that - more interested from a performance perspective. Will there be a drop in performance ect.

[Wonky]

I ran United Boost98 (E10) in my VZ SS after reading several posts on here about a year ago saying it actually gave more power than other 98 octane fuels. One was an official looking comparison of various fuels performed by some Sydney based engineering company (from memory) and one was the results of some tuning done by Street_Tuna on an LS2. Given his expertise I figured if it's good enough for him then it's good enough for me!

It's now sold and I'm waiting on my SSV but will run Boost98 in it. For what it's worth I had two VZ SS's with identical minor mods, both tuned by the same place and run on the same dyno. The one tuned with BP Ultimate had 4rwkw less than the one tuned with Boost98 (confirmed with multiple near identical runs with both). How much was due to variations between cars and how much due to fuel - who knows??? I am confident from other things I read that the fuel was definitely a factor.

[jaykay]

I ran United Boost98 (E10) in my VZ SS after reading several posts on here about a year ago saying it actually gave more power than other 98 octane fuels. One was an official looking comparison of various fuels performed by some Sydney based engineering company (from memory) and one was the results of some tuning done by Street_Tuna on an LS2. Given his expertise I figured if it's good enough for him then it's good enough for me!

It's now sold and I'm waiting on my SSV but will run Boost98 in it. For what it's worth I had two VZ SS's with identical minor mods, both tuned by the same place and run on the same dyno. The one tuned with BP Ultimate had 4rwkw less than the one tuned with Boost98 (confirmed with multiple near identical runs with both). How much was due to variations between cars and how much due to fuel - who knows??? I am confident from other things I read that the fuel was definitely a factor.
What is the difference in $$$ of the Boost98 to Ultimate98 ?

[Black AH CDX]

ethanol actually produces less power than normal petrol so you would get a power loss i would presume

[Wonky]

What is the difference in $$$ of the Boost98 to Ultimate98 ?
Significant!! Boost98 was typically only a few cents more than United's standard unleaded and they were often cheaper than other places, meaning the Boost98 was often only a cent or two dearer than standard ULP at BP/Shell etc.. It's a while since I bought Ultimate but from memory it was often about 10c dearer than standard. If so it means Boost98 was usually around 8 or 9c cheaper per litre than Ultimate.

[Lucifer]

ethanol actually produces less power than normal petrol so you would get a power loss i would presume

The exact opposite is the case. The highest octane fuel available on the pump in Australia is Shell Extreme and it is an Ethanol Blend Fuel.

[Stevotski]

The exact opposite is the case. The highest octane fuel available on the pump in Australia is Shell Extreme and it is an Ethanol Blend Fuel.

Black AH CDX is correct. The energy from a certain volume of ethanol is less than that of the same volume of petrol.

Octane itself does not make power - it just stops pre-detonation. Hi Octane fuel just means that you can tune an engine with more aggressive timing, which is what actually makes more power.

I am supportive of the 10% ethanol blend - if it extends the time before I have to drive a hydrogen fuelled shitbox by 10% then it's all good :nyuk:

[EddieVE06]

Sorry Im confused. So has anyone tried it and seen a difference?:confused:

[Wonky]

Sorry Im confused. So has anyone tried it and seen a difference?:confused:

Yeah, plenty of us on here including me are very happy with Boost98. Just do a search on Boost98 (all one word) and you'll find plenty of reading. See also posts #1 and #32 of http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45475 which are the ones that made me decide to try it.

[monaroCountry1]

Ive personally noticed a drop in km per L but using Uniteds 10% 98 oct (same price a as normal ULP) was definately an increase in km per $$$$.

Power wise im too chicken flogging my car using this fuel, 10% for me is purely for monday to friday emergency. Weekends wont use anything other than BP 98 (not even VPower Racing Shell).

Its also supporting Australian (or Brazilian) products so google

[ShanghaiVZ]

I've forgotten how many times at work I get asked whats E10? what's the difference? blah blah blah, I just hand the pamphlet over and tell them to read it :D.. Some see little difference in using it compared to regular fuel, while others say "my car don't like it" so it's a mixed bag! I for one won't use it EVER!!

[Waabs]

Did anyone see John Carey's article in Wheels October 06? To sum up he wrote that E10 increases fuel consumption because it produces less energy and that it wasn't worth it to buy it at the prices at the time when compared with normal petrol.

I have no idea on the issue at all...

[macca_779]

Did anyone see John Carey's article in Wheels October 06? To sum up he wrote that E10 increases fuel consumption because it produces less energy and that it wasn't worth it to buy it at the prices at the time when compared with normal petrol.

I have no idea on the issue at all...

I read that article after I tried BOOST 98 for a couple of fills. I can confirm his article regarding fuel consumption. I noticed my average go up 1.1L/100 when running BOOST 98. Power didn't really change noticably. Now my car runs quite alot of timing and 98 is the only way I can run around without any knock. 95 brings in a bit of knock retard and I haven't dared run on 91. My point is no standard tune Holden car is tuned to get the most out of 98. From what I have seen and heard from other owners that monitor fuel consumption stringently like myself 95 is the best for economy and has bugger all difference in power. Alot of people believe they see better power on 98. But I think its more of a placebo effect. My VN SS (HSV tune) actually gets worse economy on 98 than 91. The Boost product looks attractive at face value due to the lower price. But work it out with the increased fuel consumption and its worse when it comes to $/km. All in all ethonal blend fuels are simply not worth it unless the price per litre is around 9% cheaper than a conventional 98 fuel. I try to use Vortex 98 exclusively now, having tried them all I find the caltex product to give me a slightly better idle. WOT power I find them all the same. Plus I get my shopper dockets to use at woolies which is a bonus.

[fekason]

There has consistently been inconsistent claims re E10 and power and fuel economy.

Ethanol does have a higher octane rating, which allows more agressive timing.

However, E10 does have a lower calorific value (amount of energy available from the fuel) - less by 30% in fact. Thus E10 has 3% lower calorific value than ULP.

One of my sons used to do regular long distance trips (trading his cars in at about 8 months just before they hit 100K). He tried E10 and kept detailed records that showed 3% worse fuel economy versus ULP for the same trips, on a par with theory.

[Wonky]

My car was tuned on Boost98 and around town I possibly noticed a slight drop in consumption on it but there was so little in it that I was never sure because I was doing lots of short trips.

However, on the highway at 100kmh I got 9.2 l/100km out of my A4 VZ SS with 3.46 diff which is slightly better than ever I got from my previous A4 VZ SS (also 3.46) which was tuned on Ultimate or my VYI SV8 (stock - before I found this site :D ). Admittedly the last car also had HM headers and a HSV airbox with 2nd hole.

[chevypower]

Ethanol does have a lower energy content than petrol, but E10 combination is actually quite efficient, and I did hear a reason as to why, but I forget what it was. I have used E10 consistantly for over 18 months in a Laser 1.8, a Berlina 5.7 and a Barina 1.4 The range was about as follows. 520km per tank in Laser(9L per 100). About 520km in Berlina (13.3L/100) and 650km per tank in the Barina (6.7L/100km). I don't believe this is any more of an increase in consumption than regular unleaded, and performance - there has no decrease, no signs of engine running smoothly, or even any engine repairs needed. I did try the SAFF Bio-unleaded, and only got about 550km maximum in the Barina, that was done twice. But the United and Liberty E10 are quite good. I will get B100 Bio-diesel though from SAFF when I get another diesel.

[Black_Utester]

Thanks for all the interesting posts so far. It seems that there's not a real lot of significant benefits in using E10 at the moment.

[AussieTone]

I have never seen this boost 98 (E10) up here in Brisbane. Can anyone advise which Service Stations sell it. I am assuming reading this thread that it is one (or more) of the independents and not the major players like BP, Caltex or Shell

Am always prepared to try something different. Bit like being single :1peek:

[macca_779]

United Servo's sell it

[Wonky]

I have never seen this boost 98 (E10) up here in Brisbane. Can anyone advise which Service Stations sell it. I am assuming reading this thread that it is one (or more) of the independents and not the major players like BP, Caltex or Shell

Am always prepared to try something different. Bit like being single :1peek:

Definitely worth a try - I reckon it's win/win on price and performance and have used it consistently for almost 18 months. For Qld United service stations with Boost98 see about half way down http://www.unitedpetroleum.com.au/distributor-boost98-locations.asp

No idea what suburbs are where but would assume most are somewhere around Brisbane.