I would like to read that article. I'm sure they have done some additional mods to take advantage of the added octane.

 

You are not kidding. In Formula Ford, the engines are tightly regulated. There is nothing more demoralizing than holding higher corner speed than the guy you just passed on the turn leading to the main straight (intentional omition of "away" due to lack of NASCAR participation), just to have him walk you by the time you reach turn 1. In those cars, 1-2 HP can make a world of difference.

 

The Honda 3.0L V6 and Nissan 3.5L V6 (in ALtima & Maxima) do not require premium fuel. They are much high tech, higher compression and produce higher specific outputs than either the 4.6L motor in hte Mark VIII or the Z06 (both cars were discontinued... go figure). They aren't bad cars, just older technology. They simply advanced the ignition ot get a little more peak power at higher RPM's with the use of premium fuel. More modern fuel injection can make best use of all octane fuels by using a better O2 sensor.


On motorcycles, you will often get smoother operation at lower RPM's where short stroke motors tend to expereince knocking. If you just keep the revs a little higher a low speeds and shift a little later, you can run lower octane. I typically get better mileage and I can't tell the difference in performance. On my BMW R1150R, I can tell the difference in low RPM knocking. I try to use 91 octane or better when possible for that reason, but it's not always available at some gas stations midwest.

Also, in the midwest, most 87 and 89 or 90 octane contains 10% ethanol. Ethanol absorbs moisture and makes the gas less stable for long storage. For this reason, when I'm not riding the bike infrequently, I use gas without ethanol.

 

the corvette ZO6 is not discontinued.....


2007 Corvette Z06: Starts at $70,000
505-hp 7.0 Liter LS7 aluminum-block engine[sm=gears.gif]
...... right from chevrolet.com.....

 

H'mmm, very interesting . . . . $70,000 for a car that is capable of mid 11 second 1/4 mile times at 127 mph.






A $12,000 ZX-14 that will outperform it by almost 2 seconds in the 1/4 mile and run a trap speed of almost 146 mph!



I know which one I'd spend my money on!

 

YES.. marty have you looked at that part of the site? they talk about insurance for the zx14..... pretty high... i thaught it was interesting....

 

And compared to insuring a Z06 . . . . . LOW!

Of course, when you're almost 60 the insurance is quite a bit lower - with a clean driving record! I do most of my racing on closed courses - race tracks - not the street!

 

Marty, I can't help but notice that you said "most" of your racing. I am thinking that the folks at the driving school might find that interesting.

 

Actually, it was a mistatement, the proper verb tense was I DID most of my racing.

With the restrictions that the state of Florida places on me to keep my teaching credentials, one ticket will put me out of business!

 

actually i think ins on the zx14 was higher for younger drivers.... one guy got a quote at 15k$ per year on that bike, i dont know if ins on a corvette would be that high...