Leaded Race gas - good/bad?

dfoster154 · 03-23-2009, 11:33 AM

So there is a Citgo near my parents house that sells 110 Octane leaded race gas($5.80 a gallon). I have a Mobile near me that sells unleaded 100 racing fuel (i think it is 100).

I know the octane is better, but I have heard the leaded fuel in our engines can cause problems over time. Any expiriences out there?

Chadwick · 03-23-2009, 12:05 PM

It will only cause a problem if you are running a cat or using the o2 sensor. It will tend to clog up both and shorten their life.

Dan

vex · 03-23-2009, 12:38 PM

The leaded fuel can destroy the O2 sensor in a matter of miles, compared to unleaded which can last thousands on top of thousands.

dfoster154 · 03-23-2009, 01:17 PM

Thanks guys!

need RX7 · 03-23-2009, 02:32 PM

Does that include wideband o2 sensors?

SPICcnmFD · 03-23-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need RX7

Does that include wideband o2 sensors?

Yes, any o2

csprx7 · 03-23-2009, 03:12 PM

Why do you want 110 octane? It is my understanding that the factory teams of the '80's actually brought their own fuel to the track, 78 octane.

dfoster154 · 03-23-2009, 05:34 PM

With forced induction higher octane will help you push your limits further for power etc. I simply saw Racing Gas at this Citgo station that stated it was Leaded 110, and i figured I would do my research to see if would even be worth putting into my car for a strip day.

As I figured the o2 and widebands will get ruined (and I have read our plugs will foul fast as well) so in all the extra 10 octane just isn't worth it.

BTW, I spoke to some of the high end muscle car guys and they live off that stuff for the strip, but then again their engines were/are made for it.

SPICcnmFD · 03-24-2009, 07:59 AM

If your a big hp guy your pretty much going to have to have it unless you have AI.

zinx · 03-24-2009, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csprx7

Why do you want 110 octane? It is my understanding that the factory teams of the '80's actually brought their own fuel to the track, 78 octane.

Thats only for N/A rotaries. And it wasn't 78, it was more like 85-86.

FastEdII · 03-26-2009, 02:47 PM

Bad for o2 sensors, good for performance...plus you get the "white tip mod" and your exhaust smells like roses.

RIZZXX7 · 04-02-2009, 08:46 PM

it does smell nice and sweet!!

sk8world · 04-05-2009, 08:43 PM

If you are cranking the boost up then its good insurance. However just by adding "race gas" does not add power, infact it will loose some power unless its q16 or such ($15 per gallon). I used to add 5-6 gallons (110 leaded) when at the drag track back in the day just to add some safety.

Fidelity101 · 04-06-2009, 10:45 AM

Lead works great (to a point, it plateaus) to increase the octane rating.

Cp1 · 04-06-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIZZXX7

it does smell nice and sweet!!

That answers so many questions...

03-23-2009, 11:33 AM	#1
dfoster154 Boost Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Elgin IL Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Leaded Race gas - good/bad? So there is a Citgo near my parents house that sells 110 Octane leaded race gas($5.80 a gallon). I have a Mobile near me that sells unleaded 100 racing fuel (i think it is 100). I know the octane is better, but I have heard the leaded fuel in our engines can cause problems over time. Any expiriences out there?

03-23-2009, 12:05 PM	#2
Chadwick Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Smyrna, TN, USA Posts: 239 Rep Power: 18	It will only cause a problem if you are running a cat or using the o2 sensor. It will tend to clog up both and shorten their life. Dan __________________ 93 RX7 BB (Race Car) 93 RX7 SSM (Soon to be IBM and a daily driver) 05 Silverado Z71 08 Mini Cooper 80 LS RX7 (for sale)

03-23-2009, 12:38 PM	#3
vex RCC Loves Me Not You Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Influx. Posts: 2,113 Rep Power: 19	The leaded fuel can destroy the O2 sensor in a matter of miles, compared to unleaded which can last thousands on top of thousands. __________________ The Official FC Radiator Thread My Project Thread: Cerberus CCVT Virginia Rotary Group

03-23-2009, 02:32 PM	#5
need RX7 Clean S4 Nutswinger Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sterling Heights, MI Posts: 485 Rep Power: 18	Does that include wideband o2 sensors? __________________ -Ted -1986 Mazda RX7 Sport [DD/beater]: engine finally let go at 205k. parts car status. -1986 Mazda RX7 base [resto-mod project]: S5 n/a swap in progress.

03-23-2009, 03:12 PM	#7
csprx7 The Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Amish Country Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	Why do you want 110 octane? It is my understanding that the factory teams of the '80's actually brought their own fuel to the track, 78 octane. __________________ Geo. 1985 RX-7 ITA/CSP 1985 Ford E150 Club Wagon (Tow) 2004 Mini Cooper S

03-23-2009, 01:17 PM	#4
dfoster154 Boost Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Elgin IL Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Thanks guys!

03-23-2009, 05:34 PM	#8
dfoster154 Boost Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Elgin IL Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	With forced induction higher octane will help you push your limits further for power etc. I simply saw Racing Gas at this Citgo station that stated it was Leaded 110, and i figured I would do my research to see if would even be worth putting into my car for a strip day. As I figured the o2 and widebands will get ruined (and I have read our plugs will foul fast as well) so in all the extra 10 octane just isn't worth it. BTW, I spoke to some of the high end muscle car guys and they live off that stuff for the strip, but then again their engines were/are made for it.

03-24-2009, 07:59 AM	#9
SPICcnmFD Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 329 Rep Power: 18	If your a big hp guy your pretty much going to have to have it unless you have AI. __________________ 1993 Rx-7 SM2 #11 At the local AutoX: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VOSQkkSLQs Speed for Sale shootout 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiqlyAkGmpg A few laps at Barbers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_h5q...x=0&playnext=1

03-26-2009, 02:47 PM	#11
FastEdII The Newbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Bad for o2 sensors, good for performance...plus you get the "white tip mod" and your exhaust smells like roses.

04-02-2009, 08:46 PM	#12
RIZZXX7 DIGG7ER Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: VIRGINIA BEACH Posts: 94 Rep Power: 16	it does smell nice and sweet!! __________________ EXCELLENCE IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT, IT IS ALWAYS THE RESULT OF HIGH INTENTION, SINCERE EFFORT, INTELLIGENT DIRECTION, SKILLFUL EXECUTION AND THE VISION TO SEE OBSTACLES AS OPPORTUNITY...

04-05-2009, 08:43 PM	#13
sk8world 600rwhp club member. Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 551 Rep Power: 18	If you are cranking the boost up then its good insurance. However just by adding "race gas" does not add power, infact it will loose some power unless its q16 or such ($15 per gallon). I used to add 5-6 gallons (110 leaded) when at the drag track back in the day just to add some safety. __________________ 6.? @ 11? drag pass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wfxT2RMr7c

04-06-2009, 10:45 AM	#14
Fidelity101 Reliable Source Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Michigan/Illinois Posts: 336 Rep Power: 17	Lead works great (to a point, it plateaus) to increase the octane rating. __________________ My Rx-7 Vids