PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

tuning, timing, fuel??? Mileage discrepancy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 4, 2006 | 11:47 PM
  #1  
squealingtires's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default tuning, timing, fuel??? Mileage discrepancy

I've notice about a 3 mpg difference between using Sunoco Ultra 94 gasoline and Shell V-Power 93. This is around town tire spinning action by the way I get the better mileage using the Shell gasoline and the T/A pulls noticably harder as well with Shell. I'm running a LS2 402 with the SLP stroker kit 11:1 compression, cnc'd LS6 heads 63cc combustion chambers. So my question actually relates to this thread. I would think that I would have better milage and power using the higher octane fuel unless my engine is at the point were I'm not getting a good burn out of the Sunoco 94. Could this be a tuning issue that a little more timing would cure. My car has a conservative mail order tune of which I have no idea of the parameters or could this a gassoline quality issue? By the way cruising on the highway I get 24mpg with Shell and like 23.3mpg with Sunoco. Any ideas????
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2006 | 11:51 PM
  #2  
oange ss's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 6
From: Texas
Default

could be gas quality due to manufacturer or difference between stations....some vehicles like different brands of gas
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:12 AM
  #3  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default

V-power is somewhat oxygenated so it should burn
leaner (in open loop). If it makes you more power it
means your spark tune is not aggressive enough.
Thing is, you probably can't be optimized for both;
I think you want to pick a flavor and stick with it,
but Sunoco 94 seems like a fairly limited-availability
fuel and I'd say a standard 93 octane basis would
be the way to fine-tune. Though if you can make it
on V-power, any other 93 should be well tolerated.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 12:29 PM
  #4  
squealingtires's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

Thats interesting. I knew there had to be something more distinguishing between the two fuels than 1 point of octane. I planning a cam swap in the future followed up by a full dyno tune and honestly I would have never considered what brand of gas to use. Thanks guys.

Maybe this is the wrong forum but we are sorta on the topic of fuel, so which is better considering my future tune. My choices in my neiborhood are:
Speedway 92,
Sunoco 93-94,
BP 93,
Shell V-Power 93
Amoco 93-94?
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 02:26 PM
  #5  
BlackHawk T/A's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,869
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
Default

Ah what the hell, we have 91 here
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 02:57 PM
  #6  
2002_Z28_Six_Speed's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,538
Likes: 1
From: Wash, DC
Default

I have noticed that Shell does seem to be a better station to refuel at as well.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 04:38 PM
  #7  
white2001s10's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Default

You get best part-throttle mileage with 87 octane.
the more watered down the fuel is with additives to raise octane rating, the less power you get per volume of fuel, unless the density of the fuel increases.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2006 | 09:53 PM
  #8  
squealingtires's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

If I were going on a long road trip across the flat countryside (ie. no mountains or serious grades) would you suggest filling up with the cheap stuff like 87 to get better mileage? Would I see any knock retard on partial throttle even with 11.1:1 compression? If the engine did pull some timing, would it overcompensate for or remove the benifit of a lower octane fuel?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 08:21 AM
  #9  
white2001s10's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by squealingtires
If I were going on a long road trip across the flat countryside (ie. no mountains or serious grades) would you suggest filling up with the cheap stuff like 87 to get better mileage? Would I see any knock retard on partial throttle even with 11.1:1 compression? If the engine did pull some timing, would it overcompensate for or remove the benifit of a lower octane fuel?
Yes you can and I do all the time. You would see very little if any knock until the engine is hot and loaded. The system is designed to adjust for 87 octane and no I doubt the amount of SA removed would negate a mileage increase, but if you're worried you could always reduce the KR or turn it off.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 11:52 AM
  #10  
SmokingWS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis MO
Default

I have seen noticeable differences in milages in the three brands of gas I use.
Shell V-power 93. decent power ok milage
BP(amoco) 93. best performing, decent milage
Phillips 66. 92, power, eh, best milage by far.

I stick with BP fuel, my car runs great on it, combustion chamber and plugs are always clean as a whistle, never had dirty injector problems either.

Personally i'd never put anything below 91 in my car. Don't forget only some of our cars "adjust"(I copied and pasted my high table to my low) and by adjust this means your motor suffered so much excessive knock it started to lower its timing to the low octane timing table. The way I see it as you paid a premium to buy a fast high compression car, if your going to be so cheap as to buy the incorrect gas(87), then sell it for a civic.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 12:17 PM
  #11  
white2001s10's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
From: Fairview Heights Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by SmokingWS6
I have seen noticeable differences in milages in the three brands of gas I use.
Shell V-power 93. decent power ok milage
BP(amoco) 93. best performing, decent milage
Phillips 66. 92, power, eh, best milage by far.

I stick with BP fuel, my car runs great on it, combustion chamber and plugs are always clean as a whistle, never had dirty injector problems either.

Personally i'd never put anything below 91 in my car. Don't forget only some of our cars "adjust"(I copied and pasted my high table to my low) and by adjust this means your motor suffered so much excessive knock it started to lower its timing to the low octane timing table. The way I see it as you paid a premium to buy a fast high compression car, if your going to be so cheap as to buy the incorrect gas(87), then sell it for a civic.
Don't you know about Tassey's old red C5 (now Kolk's)?
It picked up power on 87 octane and runs faster than ever.

Why not try some (non-ethanol added) 87 octane just to see what it does for you mileage. I think you will be surprised and pleased.
You probably wouldn't make good power on the 87 though.

The PCM doesn't need terrible spark knock to adjust. It usually adjusts before you can even hear any knock. You would still get knock retard no matter if your SA tables are the same.
The C5 had the KR turned off and a little over 30* advance at WOT.
It saved a lot of money on gas just driving it around everyday.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2006 | 07:14 PM
  #12  
squealingtires's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Default

This is all great advice. Thanks guys! I certainly didn't buy this car for its gas mileage but the old, "You would if you could" saying comes to mind when considering squeezing as much efficency as possible out of the engine. Certainly none of you would scoff at another enthusiest who gets awesome mileage out of a stroker motor in addition to loads of power? Most modern gasoline engines are only about 33% efficient anyways. Wouldn't it be nice to get 30mpg out of a 3600lb, 500hp power plant?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:18 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE