What are the danger .... 87 Oct in the '11-12 370Z

Boudreaux · 03-06-2011, 09:22 PM

Wife and I are both retired, and have been (long distance) motorcycle touring since '01. We are considering doing the same thing in a 370Z roadster.

What are the repercussions of using regular fuel in the '11 -'12 370Z Roadster. on a regular bases at various altitudes across the country....???

Thank you for any info......!!!!

bigdog1250 · 03-06-2011, 09:39 PM

Often times using regular fuel results in degraded fuel economy, so sticking with premium can actually be cheaper.

Jordo! · 03-06-2011, 09:58 PM

Possible undesirable outcomes include:

1. Detonation under load, which could damage the motor.

2. Reduced power, if the ECU detects pinging and retards spark in order to save the motor.

Not advised overall.

Somewhat less of an issue in altitudes well above sea level (e.g., Wyoming), but again, not advised overall. Use at least 91 AKI.

spearfish25 · 03-06-2011, 10:23 PM

There is only a 20-30c/gal difference between regular and premium. You're willing to risk damage to your $40k sports car over $5/fill up?

370zdub · 03-06-2011, 10:43 PM

Pretty much everything has been stated, but the motor will save itself with retarded timing and decreased performance. Overall, not worth it.

TreeSemdyZee · 03-06-2011, 11:08 PM

I agree with all of the warnings above.

Also, a few years ago, I thought I'd try this in my '00 Celica GTS.

I did two different experiments and they both showed the same results. I dropped to mid-grade for one experiment and to regular for the other. The mileage dropped so drastically that it was costing me the same or more as using Premium.

Most important on the warnings is the fact that it can actually damage the engine. High compression engines need hi octane fuel. Don't skimp to save a few pennies.

1slow370 · 03-06-2011, 11:15 PM

what about running a regular/mmt/toluene mix you can buy the chemicals to make your own 97octane for the price of premium gas.

dad · 03-06-2011, 11:38 PM

Run premium gasoline- It's better all the way around, and you'll have no issues no matter what altitude.

Jeffblue · 03-07-2011, 12:01 AM

don't cheap out on gas. its a 40k car. and like said above, its $5 per fill up. yes, gas in general is expensive, but premium gas isn't really that much more expensive than regular.

Assuming you put 12,000 a miles a year on the car, and assuming the car gets 20 miles a gallon, thats 600 gallons of fuel per year. Assuming a delta of 20 cents per gallon between regular and premium, that is $120 PER YEAR difference between using premium and regular. You and your wife can just like, eat taco bell instead of going out to dinner like once or twice and that pays for your gas.

its such a small difference if you think about it, which is why it always irks me when i see people putting 87 in their cars that reqiure premium fuel.

Technically the reason why you don't want to put regular instead of premium is because our engine runs high compression. Lower octane fuel will combust sooner and less consistently than high octane fuel. So the fuel will basically combust before its supposed to causing knocking and damaging the engine.

1slow370 · 03-07-2011, 12:02 AM

93 only, that 91 some people are forced to use is crap

Jeffblue · 03-07-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slow370

93 only, that 91 some people are forced to use is crap

yea fuck that shit. i think theres like 2-3 cent difference between 91 and 93

90 ST · 03-07-2011, 12:09 AM

on the flipside, if you are worried about not finding 91 or 93 octane gas, don't it's all over the place.

Jordo! · 03-07-2011, 12:10 AM

Alhtough, in theory, the car is tuned for 91 AKI, so it should be fine. Also, I've seen no clear evidence of non-California cars putting down more power as a result of access to the slightly higher octane.

93 is preferable, but really 91 should be okay.

1slow370 · 03-07-2011, 12:32 AM

just not cali 91 because it's oxygenated or even 93 with 10% ethanol. I only want gasoline, ferosene, toluene, and MMT in my fuel, maybe a little isopropyl alcohol in winter.

kenchan · 03-07-2011, 07:48 AM

Skip lunch and use that fund for your premium gas. Sounds like you're back in highschool
Lol. Stay young.

03-06-2011, 09:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Boudreaux Base Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lafayette, Louisiana Posts: 10 Drives: 2000 Avalon Rep Power: 15	What are the danger .... 87 Oct in the '11-12 370Z Wife and I are both retired, and have been (long distance) motorcycle touring since '01. We are considering doing the same thing in a 370Z roadster. What are the repercussions of using regular fuel in the '11 -'12 370Z Roadster. on a regular bases at various altitudes across the country....??? Thank you for any info......!!!! __________________ Wilson Boudreaux Lafayette, LA "Cajun Country"

03-06-2011, 09:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
bigdog1250 Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 846 Drives: 991.2 GT3 Rep Power: 18	Often times using regular fuel results in degraded fuel economy, so sticking with premium can actually be cheaper. __________________ 350z / 40th 370z / C6 Z06 / BMW M4 / V10 R8 / C7 Grand Spot / 997.1 GT3 / S2K / Camaro ZL1 / 718 GTS / 991.2 GT3

03-06-2011, 09:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Possible undesirable outcomes include: 1. Detonation under load, which could damage the motor. 2. Reduced power, if the ECU detects pinging and retards spark in order to save the motor. Not advised overall. Somewhat less of an issue in altitudes well above sea level (e.g., Wyoming), but again, not advised overall. Use at least 91 AKI. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it. Last edited by Jordo!; 03-06-2011 at 10:00 PM.

03-06-2011, 10:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	There is only a 20-30c/gal difference between regular and premium. You're willing to risk damage to your $40k sports car over $5/fill up? __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

03-06-2011, 10:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
370zdub Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UT Posts: 628 Drives: 09 370z 6mt,10 Ford Rep Power: 17	Pretty much everything has been stated, but the motor will save itself with retarded timing and decreased performance. Overall, not worth it. __________________ 2010 Ford 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel: 588whp/1082wtrq 2007 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel: 788whp/1405wtrq, runs 12's @ 7400lbs, Still miss my 370z!

03-06-2011, 11:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	I agree with all of the warnings above. Also, a few years ago, I thought I'd try this in my '00 Celica GTS. I did two different experiments and they both showed the same results. I dropped to mid-grade for one experiment and to regular for the other. The mileage dropped so drastically that it was costing me the same or more as using Premium. Most important on the warnings is the fact that it can actually damage the engine. High compression engines need hi octane fuel. Don't skimp to save a few pennies.

03-06-2011, 11:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	what about running a regular/mmt/toluene mix you can buy the chemicals to make your own 97octane for the price of premium gas. __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

03-06-2011, 11:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Run premium gasoline- It's better all the way around, and you'll have no issues no matter what altitude. __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

03-07-2011, 12:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jeffblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NY Age: 36 Posts: 9,192 Drives: Z32TT & 335xi Coupe Rep Power: 37	don't cheap out on gas. its a 40k car. and like said above, its $5 per fill up. yes, gas in general is expensive, but premium gas isn't really that much more expensive than regular. Assuming you put 12,000 a miles a year on the car, and assuming the car gets 20 miles a gallon, thats 600 gallons of fuel per year. Assuming a delta of 20 cents per gallon between regular and premium, that is $120 PER YEAR difference between using premium and regular. You and your wife can just like, eat taco bell instead of going out to dinner like once or twice and that pays for your gas. its such a small difference if you think about it, which is why it always irks me when i see people putting 87 in their cars that reqiure premium fuel. Technically the reason why you don't want to put regular instead of premium is because our engine runs high compression. Lower octane fuel will combust sooner and less consistently than high octane fuel. So the fuel will basically combust before its supposed to causing knocking and damaging the engine. Last edited by Jeffblue; 03-07-2011 at 12:04 AM.

03-07-2011, 12:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	93 only, that 91 some people are forced to use is crap __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

03-07-2011, 12:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 421	on the flipside, if you are worried about not finding 91 or 93 octane gas, don't it's all over the place.

03-07-2011, 12:10 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Alhtough, in theory, the car is tuned for 91 AKI, so it should be fine. Also, I've seen no clear evidence of non-California cars putting down more power as a result of access to the slightly higher octane. 93 is preferable, but really 91 should be okay. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

03-07-2011, 12:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
1slow370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In the D Posts: 3,732 Drives: v8 74 260z ;) Rep Power: 7251	just not cali 91 because it's oxygenated or even 93 with 10% ethanol. I only want gasoline, ferosene, toluene, and MMT in my fuel, maybe a little isopropyl alcohol in winter. __________________ ANSWER PRICE LIST Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75 Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25 Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

03-07-2011, 07:48 AM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Skip lunch and use that fund for your premium gas. Sounds like you're back in highschool Lol. Stay young.

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