91 or 93 octane ?
- Thread starter ranvette
- Start date
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
My tune is good for anything from 86 to 105. I've been running 105 for quite a while now, for science, but eventually I will go back to mere 93 for long trips.
General consensus is that 93 gives the best bang for the buck; definately more power for not much more money, but also apparently more mpg as well, perhaps not enough to make it best mp$, but certainly enough to make it closer than it would appear looking at the pump price.
91 isn't as good, and of course 89 and 87 even worse.
The Sonic will drink any of the above, by slowing the timing until knock is eliminated, so it's using knock detection to self tune to the fuel you give it. Higher the octane, the faster you can run timing without knock, so the more available power you have.
Part of the reason the aftermarket tunes can deliver more power and better mpg is that they more aggressively pursue this faster timing... but even the stock tune does this same thing.
(note, all this is regarding the 1.4T engine. 1.8 may vary.)
General consensus is that 93 gives the best bang for the buck; definately more power for not much more money, but also apparently more mpg as well, perhaps not enough to make it best mp$, but certainly enough to make it closer than it would appear looking at the pump price.
91 isn't as good, and of course 89 and 87 even worse.
The Sonic will drink any of the above, by slowing the timing until knock is eliminated, so it's using knock detection to self tune to the fuel you give it. Higher the octane, the faster you can run timing without knock, so the more available power you have.
Part of the reason the aftermarket tunes can deliver more power and better mpg is that they more aggressively pursue this faster timing... but even the stock tune does this same thing.
(note, all this is regarding the 1.4T engine. 1.8 may vary.)
ThatTmoGuy
New member
I'm inclined to add that stock it will not re-calibrate for better fuel until you fill it up, so IMHO just stick with the good stuff unless you can't get it for some reason.
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
Really? I had the impression it did the calibration thing every time you started it.
ThatTmoGuy
New member
According to Vince and Jerry it's at fill ups, I trust them lol
