88 Octane

[Mikey_89]

Okay! I have gotten three different answers from 2 different dealerships! Imagine that?!?!?! 88 Octane...yeah or nay? I ask because it is cheaper than 87, but obviously has a higher octane rating because of the high methanol content. 20 JTR gasser w/15k

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[Aonarch]

What is the percentage of ethanol?

If it's less than 15% you are fine.

Usually 87 is 10-15% anyways.

YRMV

 

[Mikey_89]

87 is 10%
88 is 84 octane with 15%

 

[sharpsicle]

There's no point from an engine standpoint with going to 88. In fact as @Aonarch alluded to, the higher ethanol content is not as desirable. I can't imagine the price difference is that significant.

Can you run it? Sure. Would I? No.

 

[sharpsicle]

To add a few more tidbits of information:

• Generally speaking, higher ethanol content equates to worse mileage/efficiency.
• 88 octane is always a higher ethanol-content fuel (15%) whereas 87 can be anywhere from 0% to 10%.
• Higher ethanol fuels carry the chance of causing engines to wear more prematurely than using non-ethanol fuels. Occasional use will not cause an issue, but repeated long-term use of high-ethanol fuels may begin to accelerate wear.
• There is no benefit to using higher-octane fuels than what an engine is designed for. In our case, that's 87.

Putting all that together I'd be more comfortable with an 87 blend that has a low ethanol content, even if it were a few cents more.

 

[Mikey_89]

Actually, the price difference is about .30 a gallon right now.

 

[be77solo]

Actually, the price difference is about .30 a gallon right now.

I'd run a tank or two and see how the fuel mileage compares and the engine runs. You'll most likely get worse mileage with the 88, but with a $.30 delta it's just a matter of how close it really compares to 87 with better mileage. As long as it isn't over 15% it won't hurt anything, it's just cheaper with less MPG as well. Straight 87 with no Ethanol will give the best mileage, but it's way more expensive where I live.

Trade offs. So in reality it might be closer to $.10 a gallon when you compare apples to apples, but that's just a random number I pulled out of thin air.

Try it and let us know! I'd be curious myself.

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