Joeywhat

There's at least one station in Brighton that had 91 E0 (sunoco near downtown). I don't run it in my mustang since it's tuned for 93, but my focus seemed to like it better. Very little difference, though.

ejpatrone

I have ran 93 octane since day one. It does make a difference with performance and help keep the engine cleaner. I only buy named brand gas...I.E Exxon, shell, and Etc. I just placed new tires on the car a week ago, Goodyear Asymmetrical ZR rated. The traction is excellent. According to my track apps I pulled a 0-60 in 4.3s, lowest yet. I do not have a tune only axle back super 10s flowmasters.

kylerohde

Hy-Vee, a Des Moines-based grocery store chain that is everywhere here in KC, sells pure gas 91 octane at all its gas stations, which is awesome for my Mustang and for my lawnmower and snowblower. It costs a bit more than ethanol-blended 91 but it's worth it, to me. My mileage is at least 2 MPG better and I think the car is happier.

5.M0NSTER

It would be nice to run pure gas with no ethanol. I wonder if the difference would be more noticeable, because I can't tell the difference between 87 and 91 right now (with 10% E). Car seems to pull just as hard, the only difference is I have more confidence that I won't get ping when I'm really pushing the car.

JoeMidnight

I'm with you. my last tank of gas running 87, I averaged between 25-26MGP which was 9.3L/100KM

Posted that in a different thread. Those are amazing numbers for a 300+HP car.


I've noticed my car pings more from lets say Esso than it does Costco. Costco is simply the best! and yeah, I'm referring to 87 octane from both pumps.

Rodsmustang

I say, run what you want!!! I run super.

70monte

I always run 91 octane which is the highest you can get around here.

Wayne

ejpatrone

In Maryland there is a gas station which sells 93 octane non-ethanol. Real gas, great for the mowers and small engines. I did not notice a difference in my car except for the premium price of about $1.00 more than regular 93 with ethanol blend. If your car is a daily driver the blend is fine. I would think the car companies have built their engines to accommodate the blend.

WhiteBird00

I really hate to bring this up since it would appear that you work for Costco or own their stock or have a special lifetime membership or something (judging by how many times you've mentioned them in this thread alone). But Costco is unbranded gasoline. Not only are they not "top tier", they're not even name brand. They get their gas from the lowest bidder so you don't know what you're getting. It could be Shell or BP one week and Joe's Petroleum the next. It's good that you're happy with what you buy but that's more luck than consistent product.

Jazzman442

WhiteBird, Your Dead on. My Family use to be in the Gasoline business for Many years. Places like Costco and the local marks that sell gas are Tier 3. No two loads of fuel are the same and they only have the min required detergents necessary. Gasoline it pretty complicated. it is like Oil and the Additives. Some are good and some are Crap. For most non performance cars its not to big a deal. it burns and makes the car go.
Tier one for me and all my cars. I have a Suburban with Close to 300K on it. I had the seals replaced and Was told the inside of the engine and fuel injectors are like brand new. Pay now or Pay later.

shaneyusa

That reinforces why have have stuck with the best I can find around here. 91 non-ethanol, and 91 with 10% ethanol when I have to. Also since I have the Trackey tune, if I want to use that key, I kinda have to run with 91 or higher...

shaneyusa

That kinda of surprises me that Costco would have better fuel, but that is what I am finding around here as well. I remember a few years back running Costco in my 99 JGC and the thing would ping like nothing else. Now I run Costco 91 in the stang from time to time and I notice no difference than running the higer priced Shell or Chevron. MPG is actually better with the Costco fillup.

shaneyusa

Not that I have anything more than a membership at Costco, but around here they do advertise that their fuel is top-tier. Couldn't tell you were it is from, but in Boise it all comes in in the same pipeline and then is mixed with the brand name additives. It sure seems like Costco has the better blend around here lately. I was a believer in Chevron and Shell and typically went out of my way to get their fuel. But I have noticed that they are significantly more expensive and I get about a 2 MPG drop when I run their fuel. That is in all my vehicles, not just the stang. Now both Shell and Chevon are operated by the same retailer around here. I think they have lost their edge, at least in my area. Costco seem to bring in better fuel at about a 40 cent per gallon difference in cost.

Most of the time I try to run the pure non-ethanol in mine. I do notice a little better MPG, but I know the motor will be much better for it in the long run. It is just 10-20 cents more than the big guys are charging for their inferior fuel.

Much rather run the non-e stuff when I can, but will stick with 91 or higher!

JimC

The 3.7 does indeed have variable valve timing - one of the parameters that they tuner wanted to see on my data logs.

And the 3.7 has the same knock sensors as the V8, and the PCM will adjust to pick up some extra power - just as the GT does. The system is constantly monitoring and adjusting and will advance timing and take advantage of the increased octane. Is it enough that you will say "oh my god why did I pay for a tune?" -- no, it will be more but not enough that you really feel the difference as you will with a tune. Same as the GT - yes there is more flywheel power if you run 93 over 87, but it isn't enough that your "butt-dyno" will really know the difference without a tune to take advantage of other adjustments that can be set in the tune.

Joeywhat

I'm not sure why you think they aren't top tier...

http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

WhiteBird00

Wow! I guess "top tier" isn't all it's cracked up to be. I've been in the fuel business for almost 20 years and Costco is considered the same level as "Bob's Gas And Bait" stores. So I guess top tier goes to the highest bidder. What a disappointment.

Joeywhat

Or, you know...it's actually top tier...?

I'm sure things change over time. Just because it wasn't in the past doesn't mean it can't be now.

Regardless, I've also had good experiences with Costco gas. It's always ran good in all my vehicles, regardless of octane.

El Coyote GT/CS

"Top Tier" means that these fuels contain an "approved" additive package. They could be tossing in a little poo to keep the price down and still qualify!

I'm not sure but I feel that the brands giving me the best mileage would provide better overall performance.

David Young

^^^I was waiting for someone to post this ^^^ . American Muscle did a test between 87 octane vs 93 octane (v6) on a dyno. 93 octane added 7 wheel horsepower.

JoeMidnight

Lets be frank. EVERYONE any their mother would rave about their positive experiences for just about anything on this forum and that's exactly what I'm doing here. Other than having nothing more than a membership, I'm no different than anyone else.


My guess is that because their prices are so much cheaper, this particular Costco has 16 pumps running and those pumps are typically backed up with 4-5 cars per pump. my guess is that they refuel the stations much more frequently than the esso where I go.


The other location where I buy my gas from has the following pumps, literally back to back from one another.


Esso (most expensive gas at this location)
Pioneer (cheapest gas at this location)
Petro Canada (same as Esso)
Husky ( same as pioneer)


these pumps have typically 6-8 pumps and are never as busy as Costco. I bet its because Costco has fresher gas which is why in my own experience, is better.