super unleaded fuel

[I am Weasel]

Hi, I'm a first time owner so am still learning the basics. I've just brought a 1970 Westy witch
Has just had a new VEGE engine, I have been assured it will run fine on unleaded (and I've
Read all the blurb about this) the big question is would it run ok on super unleaded?? I've owned
A Subaru Impreza for five years and over the past few years I've run it on super unleaded, and as a
Result my emissions have dropped considerably and my MPG on a steady run has gone up from
Low 20s to nearly 40mpg.
Thank you..

P.S if anyone on here is based in Nottingham and wants to take me under their wing. I would
Gratefully accept

 

[BRAD]

Only ever put shell super in, no real reason just do :shock:

I f it has any positive effects that would be a bonus.

 

[Moseley]

Super unleaded is only really used for forced induction cars that are remapped to advance timing to a point where normal unleaded would begin to knock. Super unleaded has a higher octane rating so is more resistant to knock and will therefore be able to withstand the timing changes and gain more power output.

In a like for like engine, super unleaded should give a worse mpg than unleaded due to having a lower energy density. It has superior cleaning properties to normal unleaded, but in an old, uneconomical engine, I doubt it would make any difference.

 

[weeboll]

I regularly run super once I go away, its my holiday treat tank.

my timing is normally set to 32 deg and it seems to like having the super.

when we used to live in NZ normal gas was only 91 octane which was sluggish so regularly used to put 95 (premium) in. the club I was with sometimes filled up with 99 av gas at the local airfield which I would have like to try! I think there is somewhere near Silverstone which sells a 99 octance, if i'm passing that way I might give it a go!

 

[*Sam*]

I don't know all the details as the chap above, but I put a tank full of shells super sprinkle dust high octane juice in after the chap there wouldn't leave me alone until I did. All it did was made my engine run poor on idle.

 

[I am Weasel]

Mmm interesting, well I pick the van up on Thursday so I might give it a go...80 miles to bring it
Home. What's the worst that can happen...<please no comments to that

 

[Happystamps]

It won't hurt anything but your wallet.... But it won't do you any good either. Cars like your Impreza need the higher octane to prevent pinking- that's all it does. Your old VW has such a low compression ratio that you don't get pinking anyway.

(simplified, but you see my point hopefully)

 

[Clem]

When I first started driving I ran my beetle on 2 star It was always the case that they ran on the cheapest petrol as good as anything. I really dont think thats changed at all

 

[Bluesnailman]

i tried super, adjusted the timing to suit etc, but decided it made no difference. The one advantage it can claim over regular is that it is low in ethanol - so less damage to rubber and less likely to rot your tank from the inside out (ethanol attracts water (hydroscopic?))

 

[I am Weasel]

Ok on second thoughts as it's my first air cooled and I've got nothing to compare it to and I'm pretty poor now after buying it, I think normal Go Go juice will suffice for now.. Cheers

 

[Bluesnailman]

of course - job number 1 - replace those petrol hoses! so try and bring it home with the tank near empty

 

[colinvw]

Interesting thought for you - i ran my newly purchased motorcycle on super unleaded, as it gave more oomph on previous owned bikes......but it started running really hot. 4 stroke inline 4 600cc. When i took it back to the dealer to check about the running hot temp, they spoke to Yamaha and they state in the users manual, not to run on super unleaded, due to that reason. So did wander, if that would be a similar issue for my 1600cc lump in my bay. Your thoughts?


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[I am Weasel]

Well I ran my van back from Halifax 80 motorway miles @ 50mph, I went with super unleaded cause I was feeling flush, it ran sweet and only used quarter of a tank. I have nothing to compare that to but I was quite impressed as I was expecting it to use a lot more.

P.s the advice about changing my fuel lines, I've had a good poke around and they look in mint condition, maybe they were replaced last December when it had a new engine fitted. But thankyou any advice is more than welcome.

 

[NickJ]

When I first started driving I ran my beetle on 2 star It was always the case that they ran on the cheapest petrol as good as anything. I really dont think thats changed at all

I'm with Clem on this, when I had my first Beetle in the late 80´s I ran it on 2star leaded, 4star and unleaded were available, I tried all 3 but it ran best on 2star with the lowest octane rating so I still just use standard unleaded in my bay.