Mythbuster: Will Adding Race Gas To Your Car Gain Power?

Just experimenting with race gas without a specific tune to see if I'd gain or lose power. Testing was done on a DynoJet dyno on the same day within a few hours between sessions. First three pulls were with only 91 octane gasoline. The last three pulls were a mixture of 5 gallons of 91 and 5 gallons of 104 octane unleaded gasoline.

[@tnargdonald]

Your car must be tuned to gain power on race gas. The point of race gas is to be able to run more ignition timing in to gain power. Race gas has more resistance to detonation which is why it has a higher octane rating. Your test is correct and false at the same time. Just adding race gas on your average car will not add power 95% of the time because your car is already running the max timing it car on pump gas. now tune the car for the race gas and it will produce more power.

[@TheTongMan]

+Grant Owens it was to show some people who believed that simply adding race fuel will increase horsepower. they have been proven wrong.

[@robfsociety4670]

+TheTongMan your car is also a Honda, but turbo-charged cars like BMW for ex that are proned to get extra just by octane will see an improvement but of course its best paired up with a tune for it.

[@alexander70356]

i think most turbos will see a gain in power due to colder ignition

[@anthonyrybczynski5420]

Grant Owens You are incorrect. The point of higher octane gasoline is to resist detonation. You need to increase the compression ratio before you worry about tuning. 100 octane gas in a 10:1 compression engine is a waste of time unless you are using it to prevent detonation under boost.

[@anthonyrybczynski5420]

Rob Fsociety A tune + 100 octane gas + 10:1 compression = fuckall. Waste of money. Enjoy your 2 horsepower mods. Even a boosted engine would have to be pushing 40 psi to get a worthwhile power gain from100 octane gas and a tune. Compression determines fuel. Not tuning, not magazines, not television or video games.

[@austinjames199758]

I thought civics ran on rice, you learn something new everyday.

[@rngabriel87]

GOOD ONE.

[@craighenley8629]

rice wine

[@luiscampos7952]

that's maybe rice fuel ⛽ lol

[@christopherthacker4726]

Lewis Rockwell rice fuel is the good stuff.. Alcohols got your ethyls and your methyls too itd be close to jet fuel if you get all water out

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

Austin James they do run on Rice that's why they're fit and trim and smoke all these domestic pieces of shit with just a 4-cylinder

[@ono3869]

The lesson here: Adding 100+ octane fuel does nothing but installing racing decals on the fenders adds 30 HPs.

[@rjaybruhh]

*_Nice experiment! I was wondering the same if I were to fuel up with this in my civic._* Upon my research I also found that you do need to have a fuel tune in order to gain proper power, but then it does provide less knock to the motor hence will make it run smoother said in the video. Really tempted to fuel up just to see how much motor would feel with this 😂

[@DoctorMotorcycle]

If you would've run VP-MR12, you're power would've been about 240whp, untuned. Why? LOWER octane makes MORE power unless you NEED the octane. Dumping in a higher octane, advancing the timing will give you a bit more torque and HP, but if you don't have the compression to need it, it's wasted money. If you just put higher octane in a car with low-ish compression and advance the timing a bunch, all you're going to do is blow past Minimum Best Timing and each degree you add will do less and less, until it starts do reduce power. Don't believe me? The best and most powerful all-motor fuel that VP sells is mr-12 (Which according to many dyno tests and VP themselves, adds 11% more hp over straight pump gas), and it's 87 OCTANE! I've seen cars pick up 2-3mph in the quarter with no tune, just swapping to mr-12.

[@maoristereo]

Ty Tongman, this is actually good consumer advice!

[@luvs2race370]

High octane race fuel is designed for high compression, high revving engines with high cylinder pressures. The point of higher octane is to prevent pre detonation. So in reality the higher your octane level, the harder it is to light. So if you put it in an everyday low compression street car it actually has a harder time burning it which in turn causes power loss. If you want to see real improvement you should try a lower octane ethanol free race fuel or aviation fuel.

[@kevin122759]

Perhaps you can answer my question. I have an 06 pontiac gto.6.0 liter 10.9:1 compression, long tube headers, custom cam with valve springs, high flow cats and HP custom tune on 93 octane. Will mixing 2 gallons of race gas with 5 gallons of premium fuel help me with power? I plan on taking the car to the track this spring.

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

luvs2race370 the k20z3 is a high-compression engine

[@deimosphob]

or nitromethane

[@TwinkieCakey]

I have an Opel Vectra caravan from 2002 as my daily driver. I always put normal gas in it. I usually fill it up in Shell. A guy there recommended me racing fuel. I told him: "If my car blows up I know who to blame." Obviously it was a joke. So, I did it on his recommendation. My car was half a tank full on normal gas and the rest was racing fuel. My car has 125 horsepower. I did notice changes on it. Car drives much smoother and better but it did lose some power as you said. Since this is on half racing fuel and half normal fuel then I guess nothing won't happen. I won't try putting a full tank of racing fuel. I plan on doing things on my car though.

[@dev894]

I'm glad you pointed out that you need a tune on the end, a lot of people think just running it with out a tune makes a difference but it doesn't

[@lastmanstanding6081]

Yes it does

[@dev894]

@Last man standing no it doesn't your car won't know what to do with the extra octane so it will not make a difference ecspecially since there is no need for the extra octane

[@lastmanstanding6081]

@@dev894 my xar adjusts for the octane.. prolly the difference between a factory turbo car and one that has a forced tune.. do mor research. If you have a tube or stand alone it wont adjust for fuel didference . My ecu doesnt work the same as a tuned ecu for a Honda

[@dev894]

@Last man standing certain vehicles have adaptive tunes yes my f150 does it but It won't tune for 110octane it make changes for regular to premium

[@lastmanstanding6081]

@@dev894 ..ok.

[@phatrides222000]

the compression and timing have a lot to do with this. My gsxr will run faster on race fuel due to the high compression and timing set for 93 minimum.

[@skipjagger]

Let me just say, THANK YOU JESUS! Sooooooo glad you made this video. I have been trying to get this point across fricken forever! No one believes me, now I have a video that PROVES that just dumping race gas in your tank won't do a damn thing!

[@morganmansfield3616]

You really need a properly boosted/tuned car to see results. My HPA tune will read engine knock, o2 sensors, egt, etc. when I decide to run 25% MS-109 I see maybe 15+ hp and a lot safer for the engine and turbo.

[@aalborgfantasy]

Octane = knocking resistance ; it does not mean more power....

[@enhancedphysique6452]

My 16.1 k24 k20 frank loves it! 520 to the wheels N/A

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

My 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 (6.2L) calls for 93 octane in the owner's manual. When I do "find" 93 octane in my area or go out of state...the truck runs excellent with noticeable MORE power. Normally, I run 91-octane (no ethanol) and it runs "okay". I bought a can of "Race Fuel concentrate mix" and put some in the tank with 91-octane...about 1/2 can mixed in. This truck really likes this stuff. Even more power (vs 93-octane alone). How much more power? IDK. All I know is that when you floor it or jump on it while in motion, the additional gains puts me back into my seat and the engine "roars" more. It is like drinking a couple cans of old school Jolt Cola...perks that engine right up!

[@zzzzzsleeping]

What octane booster company did not tell you was, by using high octane gasoline you will be able to to adjust your timing more aggressively. Well, to do that you need to dyno the car which will cost you another $100.00 to see the datalog if the tuner can advance more without detonation. Other modern ECU CAN LEARN TO ADJUST BUT TAKES TIME.

[@ScotianBlooded]

Silly civic the back tires are suppose to move 😂

[@sharpvolt2669]

bruh

[@nineridesshotgun]

That is a beautiful car. I am convinced it is the most attractive Civic ever made

[@freedomrider266]

3 things going against modern street cars using higher than 94 octane. Catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, compression must be at least 12:1. Even the Z06 and ZR1 only have 10:1 compression (which is actually high for a supercharged engine). All you get is slower performance and a lighter wallet, along with converter and sensor degredation.

[@paocyang]

Nice numbers on the dyno.

[@sotofrancisco111318]

Corvettes and Hellcats add / pull timing automatically to compensate Higher/Lower Octane

[@twotwocold]

Don't have to bust this myth instant throttle response and acceleration is what happens stops detonating and popping backfiring plus it burns like Kerosene slow...🤷🏾‍♂️

[@amnscottnn5481]

In theory, re-flashing the ECU to accommodate for the higher octane fuel will give you HP gains right?

[@AnonX-jk3zu]

That may work. Reset the ECU so it can advance the timing a bit by itself to adjust to the octane level. Stock ECU tune won't be able to adjust itself very much but it will a small amount. So best thing would be to just bump your octane up just like 2 or 3. So you have 91 Octane pump then add however much to get it to about 93 or 94 octane. Then reset the ECU usually by disconnecting the battery for a bit then connect it back up and then test it out. I think there are other things you can do like maybe run hotter spark plugs but I'm not sure that's a good idea and would even suggest trying cuz you have no idea how safe it will be for the engine. At that point you will be better off getting a tune if you want to run high octane like 95 or more. Probably will need some mods to adjust cam advance timing and spark ect.

[@Josh-py2in]

157ft lbs of torque. Lol

[@TheTongMan]

Josh yea pretty lacking

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

Josh and it still shits on American V8

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

Bepis Ad no but you must have a slow V8

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

Bepis Ad fastest na for bangers... I understand your butt hurt, need to pick a fight, I also understand you need massive cubic inch to do the same thing we're doing with half the engine

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

Bepis Ad check out the car that's in this video... today's version

[@Stormyy]

so race fuel is like an energy drink for cars?

[@SpecTuning75]

No, the difference is like drinking Vitamin-water compared to just water.

[@TheTongMan]

Specter75 well said

[@Stormyy]

iseewhatyoudidthere

[@slow6six620]

TheTongMan can u run e85 stock without a tune?

[@Tjtjboy]

Albert Enriquez probably not. He's driving a Civic Si. The Si is recommended premium gas. If he were to put anything below 87 in it, the computer will no longer be able to protect his car and he will have engine damage.

[@ApriliaRacer14]

Thank you brother! You saved me time, money and frustration.

[@milesonewheelwinter]

Miss is not busted it's simply just shows that if you have a regular old stock low horsepower car it's not worth it. I know for a fact that I pick up roughly 70 rear wheel horsepower by upgrading to racing fuel in my twin turbo Challenger.

[@paulsvideos133]

I trying 100 octane and it makes a huge difference it accelerate alot faster

[@steveharper5368]

yep it does make a difference, not sure what this is

[@Countryguy5967]

That should of been obvious from the beginning. That's one reason cars that aren't flex fuel can't run E85. That, and you have the have bigger injectors and a upgraded fuel pump

[@deimosphob]

Depends on what kind of "race gas" you are talking about. If you're only talking about octane, no, you will have no noticeable performance increase what-so-ever, unless you shave your heads down to a point where it would detonate on normal pump gas but not high octane gas. However, if you want to get into real race fuel like nitromethane, methanol, etc, then you get into actual performance increase. Ethanol typically is a more stable gas, and you can do a lot more to your engine so that you can get higher compression and no detonation, meaning you can probably get more power out of ethanol, however, there is a lot of debate about it, saying you actually by default loose power and "hurt" your engine, which the part about hurting your engine is bullshit unless you leave your car sitting forever.

[@_baller]

Quite the vtec dip

[@RICHIE_RICH89]

It will in a car with a engine worth putting it in

[@lightningstrikes9175]

Ever notice that when it’s raining that your engine runs smoother and has more power than when it dry out??????? What’s that tell ya!!!!!!!

[@jakecars93]

race fuel isn't just race fuel. you should get a tune for anything be it e85 q16 c16 c12 c10 c45 chp. they all require different tunes due to levels of oxygenation etc. there are hundreds of race fuel some don't even require tunes. 98% will require a tune and most of the time its a timing advance along with increase jet or injector size due to needing more fuel to make more power. more power= more oxygen plus more fuel

[@TheJdmstyles]

Thongman are you running flashpro? Or stock ecu?

[@TheTongMan]

eksiknezz flashpro with the stock ecu

[@TheJdmstyles]

@@TheTongMan at this timenof dyno?

[@canadiankrispybacon1450]

I usually run 87 octane in my 2010 Mazda 3 GT 2.5litre One day the gas station I usually go to ran out and was offered their 94 octane at the same price, I was at a quarter tank. The result, I could immediately feel a much better pull, or power difference. So, I am wondering if the CPU will compensate for a certain octane range...and maybe when you start running the 100-104 octane range it’s just as you said..however with the normal range of fuels offered like in my example 87 vs 94, I believe (with the benefit of a dyno) there more subtle gains to be had. The question is...are these gains worth the extra close to $1.00/gallon more? The ratings we have: 87 most widely used and bare minimum octane 89 considered mid-grade and lest used 91 which is our “premium” grade 94 not all stations offer this, however it is not hard to find the ones that do, as the station that offers it is quite popular here in Canada.

[@dylanthomas296]

ECU needs to get used to the new octane levels first. You can't just put it in without being properly mixed and expect results.

[@TheTongMan]

+Dylan Thomas thats the reason why i did this. a lot of people believe that simply filling up with race gas will net them gains, which is wrong.

[@luigi999ish]

That's what i thought. LTFT & STFT gotta catch up to what's going on before netting power.

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

On more modern cars and especially with turbocharged modern cars, you will gain power. You will also gain protection against LSPI, which happens before knock but you can measure it by noticing the piston remained in the bloc k.

[@extremedrivr]

What rice do Civics burn?? Sticky or Jasmine?? 😂😂👍👍 Sorry folks couldn't help it.

[@austinl.2703]

Every now and then when I get low on gas I put in 6 or 8 gallons of high test. Then I pretend I'm driving a fast car.

[@starbai410]

Cool experiment!

[@addio1226]

You need to remap your ECU to burn a higher octane

[@93remix]

well from what I heard, the engine sounded different after the higher octane

[@jonasfunride]

do it again and this time tune it for e85 and put that video on youtube

[@defyingtheodds1987]

I did notice the car run smoother. No extra power

[@grqmedia3489]

What exhaust? Best Civic Si I've heard.

[@wesleykuntz4222]

Did you try this on a boosted car ?

[@sivvybee]

Hey the back wheels don't turn! :)

[@steveharper5368]

wonder if there would be gain in a stock dodge viper rt/10?

[@alexmain6889]

It’s for hot rods

[@bryany6565]

Video is lacking too many details about how you swapped the fuel in its entirely or just added some?? 91-104 isnt that drastic... if it was mixed i woukdnt even call this legit. In theory it should gain... if not 104 put some nitromethane in and try again!

[@jpak828]

Cool experiment bro. I'm running really similar mods to you. 3" inch full race exhaust, skunk 2 alpha header, and 3.5" hybrid racing cold air intake with flashpro tune. I made 215 whp and 156 tq in 4th gear recently at a awd dynojet. Does that sound about right? I was tuned on a different clutch and now I have an exedy stage 1 with an 8lb flywheel.

[@Bluecollarfatbob]

🤣🤣🤣

[@scottleistner2492]

do I need an additive, or lube in my gas running 110 octane gas?

[@jgjgjgj1]

Did you drive around with race fuel and get the ECU to re learn?

[@derekwall200]

so was the power output higher or lower with nitromethane?

[@romankozlovskiy7899]

That's why it's not for civics and more for mustangs and higher end race cars especially dirt bikes

[@Agm1995gamer]

Roman Kozlovskiy mustang is barely a sports car. how can you call it race?

[@Haaspeed]

What bout oxygenated fuel. Like Sunoco mox2

[@jstsmslovenc92]

Nice SI!

[@legalizeuwu]

what exhaust is this? sounds good

[@thefear363]

cool test

[@f1wilk]

If that car was boosted it wouldve made more power also newer ecus now a day will advance timing especially turbo motors.

[@TheTongMan]

D Wilkerson it is boosted now making close to 400 wheel hp

[@f1wilk]

TheTongMan very nice

[@2R1V3R]

Cool video. I'm jus hating that your car is soooooo damn clean. Lol

[@PCTV44]

what a beauty fg2

[@dr4g0nsc1mz]

Adding cams or boost anytime soon?

[@Etrician55]

Youre not gonna see any power gains in an SI..... try anything else, when you can up the boost, crank timing and lean her out

[@sotofrancisco111318]

Come on guys its a fucking Honda Lol

[@SoxFam0us]

very nice

[@Sinister_Reaper]

on a 302 v8, going from 91 octane to 114 octane how much should I adjust my timing?

[@maxrokatanski2466]

killer120 when its knocks get lower ;)

[@cfmechanic]

No one knows it's a game of test and tune.

[@johnhonest9347]

Figured

[@Agm1995gamer]

minimum octane where i live is 95 :/

[@aguila9982]

How do you keep your engine bay so clean?

[@DillaWorld]

cleaning it

[@fickfock8169]

still faster than my car

[@ryantoomey611]

It will certainly damage your catalytic converter because racing fuel contains lead.

[@TheTongMan]

Delete the catalytic convertor - problem solved lol btw 104 octane race gas is still unleaded

[@ALEX.THE.RUSSIAN]

You do gain power on turbo cars

[@straighttothepoint2717]

VTAAK YO

[@claytonthomas495]

❤

[@issagamer3805]

Is the car stock?

[@TheTongMan]

IssaGamer no, car is not stock

[@kollinbrockman7269]

can I run E85 on my stock K24W1 Accord and make a possible gain

[@clintonfreeman7047]

V8 yes that car no

[@roderickconstantino5354]

Advance your timing

[@Wub892]

All lies. My Tesla gains so much more.power with 100 octane in my charging generator for it.

[@felipedimorais]

This is one ugly car LOL

[@carlbrooks90]

stfu

[@felipedimorais]

What can I say? It's a girls car and ugly

[@shaun_evox]

Tbh it is. It doesn't look like a race car

[@flexnlexus129]

I'm not really feeling the Honda either I feel like they're commuter cars not sport cars.

[@TheTruelakersfan]

It’s a gay ass honda of course it won’t do shit

[@michaelbrian7366]

Hahaha you seriously ran your test on a civic???? Cmon man. I've used VP C11 and gained great HP in my '05 Z51 Corvette.

[@alizonda3891]

Michael Brian ohh yeahhhh

[@highspeedenthusiast6628]

Ali ss k20z3 in that Civic is the perfect engine for that test