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Last post on Oct 24, 2006 at 10:05 PM
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Ford Mustang, Coupe, Convertible
#942 of 1524 87 / 93 Octane Challenge
by lavrishevo
Feb 07, 2006 (10:47 am)
I have a challenge I would like to put out there to you all. After consulting some Ford performance specialist and learning about stock tuning and other issues with fuel I wanted to see if any of you would like to take part in a little test. What I have learned is that the stock tune and timing on the 6's and particularly the GT's are right on the edge of being able to run 87 octane without pinging. The challenge is to average out you miles per tank on 87 octane and when the tank is down to the bare minimum fill it up with 93 octane preferably from BP. BP fuels are much better then many other fuels out there and even the 2006 Mustangs have a label from Ford on the gas cap telling you to use BP fuel. I have a feeling the overall mpg, or miles per tank will end up in saving you money in mileage compared to the $2.00 to $3.00 savings at the pump in selecting a lower octane fuel. We all also know how much better it is for the engine to run a higher octane fuel.
I'm personally going for the strict BP only, when possible, 93 octane fuel because of the aftermarket products on the engine. Cold air intake, tune, long tube headers, X-pipe, performance cats, Borla exhaust, and a couple other things. These additions add almost 70 HP on the dyno and increase gas mileage 2 - 3 mpg when cruising; now of course they lower gas mileage when stomping on it but this is only natural. So anyway, I think it would be interesting to see in the long run which cost more, saving $2.50 at the pump or maybe saving as much as $5.00 or more dollars in overall MPG and keeping you engine cleaner while you do it.
#943 of 1524 Re: 87 / 93 Octane Challenge [lavrishevo]
by pony_pirate
Feb 07, 2006 (10:51 am)
The GT manual clearly states you're to use regular, not premium, gas.
#944 of 1524 Anybody had this yet....
by rimfire
Feb 07, 2006 (11:46 am)
first let me say i love my gt, that being said when i parked my car in the carport last night it was 40 degrees and raining.This morning at 6 am it was 28 degrees and i noticed that my door acted a little funny when i opened it but i jumped in and took off to work. When i got up to speed i noticed wind noise...turned around to look and my window was on the outside of my trim leaving a 3/8" wide gap. Problem is obvious, when i opened the door it never droped down (frozen) and when i shut the door it was trapped on the outside....not cool, lucky i live in alabama and maybe that want happen very often. What about the northern cars??
#945 of 1524 Re: 87 / 93 Octane Challenge [lavrishevo]
by cobragt
Feb 07, 2006 (11:58 am)
I too run a custome tune, cold air intake,headers,JBA exhaust, and 4:10 gears, (blower) but that doesn't count in your challenge.
I also try to strickly run on 93 octane and not even the 92 that you get with most gas stations on premium.
I think I do, or did see a savings. I say do, because of the blower. Even with my 4:10 gears, before I did the blower, driving down the NJ Turnpike, doing 80-90mph, I was getting about 18mpg. I think that is excellent for those kinds of speeds, and with the gears that I have.
For the few pennies saved upfront when going with a lower octane, I would say get a tune, and go with 93. It makes the car run so much better.
#946 of 1524 Re: 87 / 93 Octane Challenge [cobragt]
by pony_pirate
Feb 07, 2006 (1:32 pm)
Is your 3-year warranty still valid once you've altered your GT with a "custom tune"?
#947 of 1524 93 octane
by sigt1
Feb 07, 2006 (1:45 pm)
just stick with 87 for the manual
#948 of 1524 Re: 93 octane [sigt1]
by pony_pirate
Feb 07, 2006 (2:43 pm)
yes, sir.
#949 of 1524 Re: 87 / 93 Octane Challenge [pony_pirate]
by cobragt
Feb 08, 2006 (5:31 am)
That can be a tricky question, or better yet, answer. Let me explain. I use to say 100% no, however, I have come to learn that not only does it depend on the good graces of your dealership, but also just what exactly your problem is if you are having one, that you want to be covered under the warranty.
For example, putting on say, an Axle-back exhaust, well that doesn't do anything to your engine, so if all of a sudden, later on, your engine starts having problems, it will still be covered. Say something went wrong with your exhaust though, well, that would NOT be covered, because you altered it.
Same with a cool air intake, if you do not use a Ford filter, and something goes wrong with your engine, say they tell you they found pieces of dirt inside, well that wouldn't be covered, because they will say that you didn't use a Ford filter, and now its the fault of say K&N or whoever you used. Get it?
The computer retune is iffy, because it effects more on the car, but again, it depends on the problem.
If you are considering a custome tune, make sure you get a cold air intake first, thats the main reason the GT's are tuned, because the engine is so sensitive to any changes in the air flow. If you do, you will def. see a difference in the horsepower, it usally adds 20-25HP, with the CAI and tune.
And trust me, run it on 92 or if you can 93 octane, and it will definitly run better. Full synthetic oil is always a plus too.
Hope that helps.
#950 of 1524 Re: 93 octane [pony_pirate]
by sigt1
Feb 08, 2006 (9:31 am)
hahaa =P
i actually used V-Power on a couple occassions and seemed like the car was running better? probably a mental thing because I can't pinpoint what I mean by "better!"
#951 of 1524 Re: 93 octane [sigt1]
by lavrishevo
Feb 08, 2006 (12:34 pm)
One benefits of a higher octane no mater if there is mileage gain or not in that it burns hotter, cleaner and helps prevent carbon build up especially in fuel injectors. All fuel injector cleaner is is a little bit of octane booster. Just a few thoughts…