VE V8 91 vs 98 octane results

[Marco]

About a month ago, I was convinced by a few people on here to switch from 91 to 98 octane in my VE SS on the basis that it would be better for my engine and would give me better economy. I promised to report back with the results.

Well, first of all, fuel economy. Since I stared running 98, I've driven to Sydney twice, and recorded 10.83l/100km on one trip (which included some running around Canberra as well), and 11.65l/100km on the other trip (which included some running around Sydney). That's not a lot of difference compared to my 91 octane results, which were between 10.66 and 11.64l/100km on the trips that included Sydney driving.

Around Canberra, I've recorded 13.16l/100km and 13.53l/100km - again, not a big difference from my 91 results of between 12.57l/100km and 16.47l/100km.

So, at least after 2000km or so, fuel economy is not that different. It seems that, at least for the driving I do, the cost/benefit is against 98 and in favour of 91.

However...the car does seem to run a lot better. On 91 on cold mornings, it would be a bit grumpy and a bit rough until it warmed up. On 98, it's smooth as from the moment I fire it up. I also get the seat of the pants impression that it makes more power/torque generally.

For that reason alone, I plan to stick with 98 for the forseeable future - my impression is that it's better for my engine if nothing else. I'll let you all know if the fuel economy improves any, though.

[BLACKWAGON]

Its 10c a litre more than 91, 6bux a tank more.
I know if u add it up over a year it might sound like a bit, but imagine if we counted every bottle of water we buy from the servo over a year, and we can get water for free.
I dont even think about it, 98, wats a few bux extra per tank.
Its like buying mince meat for 4 bux or a porterhouse for 4.50

[Marco]

Yeah, exactly. I was running 91 mostly to save money, then thought about it and realised that was pretty stupid given we were talking about maybe $6 a week like you say. I'm happy to give up a couple of snacks a week for a better car.

[KingClifton]

Switching from Vortex 95 to V-Power saw fuel economy improve from mid 14s to around 13L/100km. I did wonder whether this was due to the engine running in (switched at around 5000km) so went back to Vortex 95 - fuel economy instantly rose to mid-high 14s. Next tank of V-Power was back to low 13s.

I'd really like to know who's compared V-Power, Ultimate and Synergy 8000.

[macca_779]

Switching from Vortex 95 to V-Power saw fuel economy improve from mid 14s to around 13L/100km. I did wonder whether this was due to the engine running in (switched at around 5000km) so went back to Vortex 95 - fuel economy instantly rose to mid-high 14s. Next tank of V-Power was back to low 13s.

I'd really like to know who's compared V-Power, Ultimate and Synergy 8000.

I've tested all 3 and a couple more too. I've found Vortex 98 to be the best for me

[Mojo]

Brilliant - good onya Marco always wondered about that myself...

Have you thought about a compromise with 95 ?

I've been running it since new and certainly don't have any grumpy starts on cold mornings - getting anything from 12.9 - 15 around town per tank. Reset the trippy every time I fill. Have been running mainly Shell 95 @ 6c/lt more than 91.

I might give 98 a run on one or two tanks and see how it goes.

The thought of using 91 has never crossed my mind and don't even think about the extra cost - few bucks a tank....

[BLACKWAGON]

The thought of using 91 has never crossed my mind and don't even think about the extra cost - few bucks a tank....


Lol, and only another 4c a litre for 98, only another 2 bux or so per tank.

[Mojo]

Lol, and only another 4c a litre for 98, only another 2 bux or so per tank.

True Blacky but I look at the cost factor compared to 91. If I used 98 I would still compare it to 91 rather than 95...now wot I mean !

While I can easily justisfy a few bucks more a tank for 95 I reckon a few bucks more again for 98 might be a stretch.

That's just me though - being a tight bastard and all !

[BLACKWAGON]

LOL, yeah I am probably the opposite, never worry about cash, even tho I probably should be a bit smarter with it lol

[fastestls7]

bp ultimate or synergy 8000 the go lads

[VESSWA]

Running Vortex 98 at the moment to see what difference. But you're kidding yourself if you trial on just one tank, don't reset your odometer/trip computer when you fill up. The longer you go the better the accuracy of your average. Do say 3 or 4 tanks, change fuel and do another 4 to compare. Just my opinion.

[fastestls7]

your car needs 3/4 tranks to learn the fuel properly
Running Vortex 98 at the moment to see what difference. But you're kidding yourself if you trial on just one tank, don't reset your odometer/trip computer when you fill up. The longer you go the better the accuracy of your average. Do say 3 or 4 tanks, change fuel and do another 4 to compare. Just my opinion.

[SS Enforcer]

Brilliant - good onya Marco always wondered about that myself...

Have you thought about a compromise with 95 ?

I've been running it since new and certainly don't have any grumpy starts on cold mornings - getting anything from 12.9 - 15 around town per tank. Reset the trippy every time I fill. Have been running mainly Shell 95 @ 6c/lt more than 91.

I might give 98 a run on one or two tanks and see how it goes.

The thought of using 91 has never crossed my mind and don't even think about the extra cost - few bucks a tank....

This subject gets covered fairly regularly and it's allways the same answer.

If you run your LS series car on 98 ron fuel it will run on the upper timing table, it won't on 91 or 95 but the 95 will be better than 91. More timing = more power it's that simple, it's not rocket science . It's the cheapest performance mod you can do for your car.

In addition to more power the better fuels have additives that will keep your injectors and valves clean. This isn't just oil company sales hype I see the additives before they go into the fuels and I do know they are extremely expensive to buy which accounts for the extra cents per litre mainly.

cheers

[aftahours]

Everyone's has their own opinion but I stick with Vpower or ultimate, haven't tried vortex but I have tried synergy 8000 and it was terrible, mighta been a bad batch or something, but had average power, it chewed thru the fuel 250km to that 70 litres.

[macca_779]

Brilliant - good onya Marco always wondered about that myself...

Have you thought about a compromise with 95 ?

I've been running it since new and certainly don't have any grumpy starts on cold mornings - getting anything from 12.9 - 15 around town per tank. Reset the trippy every time I fill. Have been running mainly Shell 95 @ 6c/lt more than 91.

I might give 98 a run on one or two tanks and see how it goes.

The thought of using 91 has never crossed my mind and don't even think about the extra cost - few bucks a tank....


I have used United 95 as well as Vortec 95. The United is ok for power but gives crap economy due to the ethenol content. My car runs very aggressive timing (25.8deg/6500rpm) this is a lot of timing and good fuel is critical to keep my Adaptive Spark blend at 100%. I've spent alot of time refining my high octane timing table for use with 98. There is a noticable drop in performance (a lot more than you'll see in a stocker) when I use 95. To build a 95 table isn't as easy as reducing the whole lot by a percentage. Different loads need more taken out than others. I need to work on my low octane table a bit more so the PCM can adapt more effeciently to lower quality fuels. Not that I intend to use lower octane fuels. But there will be a day in the new year when I drive to N.T that I'm sure 98 won't be as readily available as it is here.

[Mojo]

This subject gets covered fairly regularly and it's allways the same answer.

If you run your LS series car on 98 ron fuel it will run on the upper timing table, it won't on 91 or 95 but the 95 will be better than 91. More timing = more power it's that simple, it's not rocket science . It's the cheapest performance mod you can do for your car.

In addition to more power the better fuels have additives that will keep your injectors and valves clean. This isn't just oil company sales hype I see the additives before they go into the fuels and I do know they are extremely expensive to buy which accounts for the extra cents per litre mainly.

cheers

Alright alright you lot have twisted my arm - next few tanks will be 98... Anyone tried Shell V Power Racing 100 ?

[Nawdy]

I have used United 95 as well as Vortec 95. The United is ok for power but gives crap economy due to the ethenol content. My car runs very aggressive timing (25.8deg/6500rpm) this is a lot of timing and good fuel is critical to keep my Adaptive Spark blend at 100%. I've spent alot of time refining my high octane timing table for use with 98. There is a noticable drop in performance (a lot more than you'll see in a stocker) when I use 95. To build a 95 table isn't as easy as reducing the whole lot by a percentage. Different loads need more taken out than others. I need to work on my low octane table a bit more so the PCM can adapt more effeciently to lower quality fuels. Not that I intend to use lower octane fuels. But there will be a day in the new year when I drive to N.T that I'm sure 98 won't be as readily available as it is here.

98 in the NT - it's available in Alice Springs ( 2 or 3 servos from memory), maybe 1 servo in Katherine, and 4 in Darwin itself. There are a few other servos in the NT that run 95, but they also few and far between. If your car's tuned for 98 (as per your post), maybe a mix of 95 and octane booster could help.

[Mozz]

It should also be said that a good tune to suit 98 octane will unleash the beast within your engine power wise 15/20/25/30 rwkw and give you better fuel economy 1/2/3/4 litres per hundred kms (when comparing the same driving conditions)

[Pilbara SSV]

Just bit of anecdotal proof.....
I was never convinced about the value of paying the extra for 98 fuel until my last trip to Newman from Paraburdoo. I have used 95 since new (the best available here is Shell 95 :( .)
Drove to Newman (360km roughly) and averaged 110-120km/hr and used just over half a tank. Filled up in Newman with BP 98 fuel and got back to Paraburdoo with well over half a tank of juice left, also averaged a higher speed on the way home. When we move to Newman shortly i will be buying 98 from now on.
My question is there any way of testing the fuel you buy as being 91,95 or 98Octane, as i sometimes wonder if the garages are on the up and up, or am i justbeing cynical?

[Tezza_VESSV]

Running Vortex 98 at the moment to see what difference. But you're kidding yourself if you trial on just one tank, don't reset your odometer/trip computer when you fill up. The longer you go the better the accuracy of your average. Do say 3 or 4 tanks, change fuel and do another 4 to compare. Just my opinion.

I always though Caltex Vortex over here in Perth was 95 octane only??

[macca_779]

Just bit of anecdotal proof.....
I was never convinced about the value of paying the extra for 98 fuel until my last trip to Newman from Paraburdoo. I have used 95 since new (the best available here is Shell 95 :( .)
Drove to Newman (360km roughly) and averaged 110-120km/hr and used just over half a tank. Filled up in Newman with BP 98 fuel and got back to Paraburdoo with well over half a tank of juice left, also averaged a higher speed on the way home. When we move to Newman shortly i will be buying 98 from now on.
My question is there any way of testing the fuel you buy as being 91,95 or 98Octane, as i sometimes wonder if the garages are on the up and up, or am i justbeing cynical?

98 is coloured yellow.

[KingClifton]

I'd be interested to know whether VE HSV owners have compared V-Power versus Ultimate 98 - for both power and economy.

[VESSWA]

I always though Caltex Vortex over here in Perth was 95 octane only??

We had the caltex down the road shut down for a month while they put new tanks in. Next time I was in there they had Vortex 98. First time I'd seen it and don't know how common it is. Thought I'd try it though. Been told that it's not as good as BP Ultimate.

[macca_779]

We had the caltex down the road shut down for a month while they put new tanks in. Next time I was in there they had Vortex 98. First time I'd seen it and don't know how common it is. Thought I'd try it though. Been told that it's not as good as BP Ultimate.

In fact its the opposite from the testing that was done a while ago. I'll see if I can find it and post it up. Ultimate didn't do that well in that particular test. Personally I havent had any problems when I did use Ultimate. I just use Vortex 98 now becuase my car likes it and I can use Woolies dockets to get 4c off.

found it Australian LS1 and Holden Forums (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45475)
unfortunately the original pdf file has since disapeared. Probbaly a few Fuel companys not appreciating its results

[Tezza_VESSV]

We had the caltex down the road shut down for a month while they put new tanks in. Next time I was in there they had Vortex 98. First time I'd seen it and don't know how common it is. Thought I'd try it though. Been told that it's not as good as BP Ultimate.

Now that I know it exists here, I actually saw it on the way to work this morning. Its not normally a servo I use, so I hadn't taken any notice previously. Will have to remember that now and give it a burl.

It doesn't seem to be too common then, but I have noticed a couple of places that seem to be being upgraded lately, so I assume it will be for this.