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Workshop => Carburetor, Intake, and Exhaust => Topic started by: wilkin250r on February 15, 2018, 12:06:34 PM

Title: Let's talk fuels
Post by: wilkin250r on February 15, 2018, 12:06:34 PM

I am having the hardest time finding information about different race fuels.

I can find spec sheets, but I'm trying to find the next level, a small glimpse into the chemical makeup and differences.  I don't think any of the manufacturers are going to advertise their exact formula and give away their secrets, I just want to find a little more than the spec sheets.

Somebody told me that VP fuel is paraffin-based, while Sunoco is petroleum-based.  The guy that told me is actually one of the most knowledgeable guys I've ever met when it comes to motosports-related information, so I don't doubt him at all, I just want to confirm it, and find out the differences.  The pros and cons of different formulas and bases. 

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: havinnoj on February 15, 2018, 12:42:20 PM

I don't recall Dave posting anything directly in the Technical Section (http://www.forums.trx250r.org/index.php/board,63.0.html (http://www.forums.trx250r.org/index.php/board,63.0.html)) so I'm tagging him in case he's got insight into this.  @rsss396

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: Hawgpilot on February 15, 2018, 04:13:40 PM

Good topic.  I'll stay tuned to learn as well.

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: jcs003 on February 16, 2018, 07:07:09 AM

since race gas is very expensive and hard to come by, I researched octane boosters and concluded, this stuff is an excellent alternative:  https://www.maperformance.com/products/race-gas-race-fuel-concentrate?variant=5328544707&gclid=CjwKCAiAn5rUBRA3EiwAUCWb2799wMuO_It_E91yZVTo2VdkMrdpFf7tWZHvjLOUCrG69wuCwfz1NBoCfFYQAvD_BwE

This obviously will not completely replace typical race fuels but will get your octane where it needs to be, when other boosters can't accomplish this.

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: rk88r on February 16, 2018, 07:12:58 PM

Would the company's  msds  sheets help?

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: wilkin250r on February 16, 2018, 08:13:15 PM

I doubt the MSDS would help.  It will tell me it's highly flammable (duh), the toxicity of tetraethyl lead, and various environmental, transportation, and storage concerns.

It's NOT going to tell me any useful information about it's usage, and certainly not any comparison to alternatives.

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: desertR on February 16, 2018, 09:10:40 PM

Race fuels or not, if it helps you feel better, then go for it. In my daily driver, I run premium 91/92 pump fuel, and 50/50 water/meth (methanol) that when injected properly, gives me 115 octane with zero issues, even when over 24psi boost. Its a very complex system.
might be harder to do on a 2-stroke, but I know some that run meth in the tank to add to the octane number
desertR

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: hickwheeler on February 16, 2018, 09:13:29 PM

I just run clear premium. I'm never going to be the fast guy

Title: Re: Let's talk fuels
Post by: wilkin250r on February 16, 2018, 11:12:44 PM

I'm not looking for a 0.2% performance gain, that's not my goal.

I've heard that paraffin-based fuel requires a little more upkeep, it will corrode your fuel system.  Not as bad as alcohol, but a little.  If that were true, then I would run the petroleum-based fuel, make things easy on myself.

I just wanted to confirm, I wanted a comparison, ANYTHING.   Heck, I can't even confirm if VP is indeed paraffin-based.