Something I don't recall reading on here yet, in my new 2011 brochure it say the 412 HP rating for the 5.0 is for premium fuel, rating drops to 402 on regular grade, and torque is 377.

If this was noted on here before then I missed it.

 

Good post.

If it were me, I'd skip the premium and sacrifice the 10 HP. 402 on 87 octane? That will be just fine, thanks.

 

That's a good idea. Won't damage the engine, right?

 

Nope. In fact I believe I read "somewhere" that the PCM adjusts timing until the knock sensors senses knock (kind of obvious, right?) and then just a smidge away. So better gas, better timing for performance. Worse gas, worse timing for performance (all being relative of course.)

 

I wonder how much timing the computer will allow max if you run 104 unleaded race gas???

 

I have NO idea but I'm thinking someone will post, "I got 550 HP by using a bottle of 104+ octane booster..."

 

08 Bullitt was the first with the Adaptive Spark Ignition system and they did the ratings the opposite way. They gave 315HP & 325#' Torque on 87. Then stated that 91 would add up to 10#' torque between 1k & 4k rpm. No mention anywhere of added increase on 93 or greater octanes.

So I think they tune it to a max for readily available 'premium' - and the Adaptive Spark Ignition system senses the octane and retards timing for lower octane. Nothing has ever been hinted that the ECU can advance timing beyond the max 'default' setting. So I don't think 104 race or av fuel mix will do any good unless you have a custom tune.

I'm on fixed income so there have been a number of times I've had to run on 87 for several tankfuls. Runs great. But when there's a full tank of 91 and I go to play, I can feel a bit more pep taking off and thru the turns.

 

104+ is JUNK!

I either use Torco, which is fantastic stuff, or buy unleaded race gas at the track.


I know there is a limit to how far it will advance the timing, just don't know what the max is.

As to how the adaptive timing works, from what I have read, it advances the timing until the sensors detect knock and then pulls back by a certain amount but if no knock is detected then it will keep advancing the timing up to the maximum amout allowed.

 

I'll be using 94 here, hope to gain a respectable 1 RWHP and 2lb/ft. Really

 

I'm a little unclear. What do you think of 104+?



I didn't say I was going to post that (or use it.) After all, I'm just getting the V6. I'll be chasing 1986 Kias and Yugos. . .

 

They didn't make Kia's in 1986, maybe a hyundai...

What will you do when they come out with the Turbo kit for the 3.7 V6???

 

Who? Aliens? But yeah, nice catch. Hyundai's were definitely made in '86. I didn't buy one then either.

And when the turbo kit comes out, I'll leave it on the shelf with the magnetic fuel economizer too.

I'm good with the 3.7 at 305 HP. In 3-4 years I might pick up a 2011 5.0 for way less money just to have one but keep as a weekend car. Both cars are huge winners for Ford.