Blow Dog

Dingy,

I have used Optimax in the Skyline since I bought it, so I don't really know if using any other fuel would be better.

I've ordered some NF from you guys, so when I get it I'll try using something else for a while and check it out.

Cem

2Scoobysnacks?

I noticed last weekend when filling up that the pumps at Esso have changed from 97 RON to 98 RON.

Seeing as Esso stations are in abundance near me, and they all provide SUL at 78p/L. I think i'll stick with Esso.

dingy

Det cans and the knock link are almost matched.... me being deaf figured Lights are better ....



but then i got glasses too...

steve McCulloch

Pete

Det is primarily picked up from a 'knocklink' that you can have installed in your car

Matt Churchill

Last time I was at Powerstation on the road, I got a slight amount of detting on my UK99, that was with full scoobysport and K&N induction, whilst using SUL and millers. Although they thought that it was probably down to the heat of the day and lack of air circulation.
And it was only at the top end of 4th - not somewhere one normally chooses to run ones car.

Am I therefore correct in assuming that it is only on heavily modified cars where detting is of real concern, or, do I need to get myself a knocklink?!?!?

So I suppose the way to see if Optimax and NF is different will be to go back again after a few tankfulls!

Matt

Oh and Paulmon, NF is nitrous formula octane booster, as supplied by New Age Motorsport - supposed to be **** hot - but I guess that is another debate - its worth a go, at least that is what I think!

SDB

Not sure if this is relevant as I don't understand this stuff, but..

I just put a tank full of BP SUL in with 2 measures of NF (I've been running Optimax with 2 measures for about 8 tanks now), and driving away it felt as though the handbrake was on!!

I was stunned at how bad the car felt in comparrison, even at constant speeds on the motorway, the car felt like it was resisting (just like having the handbrake on).

Anyone gonna do me a good deal on a knock link , as I will be going back to Optimax for my next tank full, but would like to keep an eye on it.

cheers

Simon

EvilBevel

Si, um, long shot, but *did* you have the handbrake on ?

I'm wondering if you have problems with the petrol stations quality (or lack off) rather than fuel ... my car is pretty much unstandard, but I never ever feel a difference whether I throw in Shell, Esso, Texaco, or Fina ... provided it is 98 RON.

I tried Optimax in Germany a few times (the REAL Optimax, 99 RON ) but I could not feel or see any difference.

GavinP

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by dingy:
<B>Det cans and the knock link are almost matched.... me being deaf figured Lights are better ....



but then i got glasses too...[/quote]

I'm not convinced by that - for Bob Rawle to become a "Princess Leia look-alike" on a regular basis (when mapping Link and Motec ECUs, I hasten to add) they must offer more...

The microphone for the Knocklink is tuned to listen for specific frequencies of noise where the human ear has a much greater range...

I was also under the impression that both the Lambdalink and Knocklink are "early warning" systems to alert the driver of problems - not definitive measuring devices.

Thanks

Gavin

Bob Rawle

Hi gav, thanks for the "compliment", you are right of course, the knocklink is the early warning device, I can hear det that will not spark a glimmer from it with the cans, there are several different "models" of det, the loud tinkly type is only one version. Too much fuel will make a car "det". Optimax is better than Esso SUL imho, I run it with booster, significantly different to Esso SUL plus booster however it does "show" a richer afr than "normal" sul and fueling needs to be leaned off slightly not increased, to achieve the same result. (or just turn the boost up in Craigs case)

If it was poor stuff I would be the first to stop using it but, like any other fuel and like the 98 of old, a bad tank is still a possibility and has to be guarded against.
(I also have Broquet in the tank as well)

Andy Burrell

I am on my 5th tank of Optimax, tried it with and without Millers and it is a noticably different car, quieter,smoother and a sharper pickup. There are definately some things to consider, mileage of car, type of driving you do, when it was last serviced etc etc. Also as a few have said dirty or mixed petrol. Also 30+mpg on a 250mile run!!!

Jza

Im amazed by this thread..... 98.6 ron and everyones started moaning!!!!

I think its the best!!!

Jza

dingy

No moaning mate just saying, does anyone know the MON rating for this fuel ??

Trout...

I have been using Optimax for about three weeks now and the feel of the car has improved with each tankful.

HOWEVER I also have an objective view of the performance of the fuel as I have fully programmeable ECU and datalogging so I am not just subjectively staring at the KnockLink lights, or feeling for the handbrake effect (so that's how SDB goes sideyways all the time )

My car can now have materially more advance, just with Optimax over SUL. In my own experience, SUL + Booster has not been as good for me as Optimax.

I have datalogged the noise curve, not just counted the Knocks and the car is as quiet as a mouse - even with up to 3 deg more advance - and more boost when I am feeling bold.

Finally - Bob comments that with Optimax he has had to lean it out a little, I suspect that is because he, like myself, is taking advantage of the extra advance available and therefore the car is more efficient and so needs less fuel

Trout

steve McCulloch

Trout/Bob

Er... does that mean we could almost get away with keeping standard injectors then? if u can get away with reducing the fuelling?

RussP

I'm in two minds about Optimax - on the one hand my Sti loves it and runs like its on rocket fuel!

On the other hand - even with normal driving i get about 30 mile sper tank LESS on Optimax than Esso/BP...

I've heard a couple of other folks on here say its doesn't go as far too. Stil, i use it early sundays for "spirited" 5am country lane thrashs!

Odd!

Russ

Trout...

In my BMW - I know, sad, I get better fuel economy.

I have found that in my Scoob my fuel economy has gone down the toilet with recent mods - in reality it is mostly grin factor - enjoyement is inversely proportion to economy

Steve - no, mate, no!

Trout

ptholt

Interesting to read Bob's comments about optimax making the car run richer.

After the all night game session last week I left my car in Steve Lawson's garage and when he started it in the morning said that my car seemed to be running very rich (I am running link for those that don't know).

Looks like a some slight amendments to the mapping is required.

One question though, If you alter your advance to run optimax, surely that leaves you a little exposed if you have problems finding optimax somewhere and have to revert back to SUL?

Bob Rawle

Pete just carry a couple of bottles of booster around with you.

Trout...

My latest tank of Optimax makes my car sound like the boot is full of manic tennis ***** on the overrun - as Bob will attest!

Burble, burble!

Trout

DanTheMan

So far I'm very impressed with optimax + millers, rocketship performance and 30mpg on the motorway and 24mpg round town, even my old 93WRX wasnt that economical.....
MY99 STiV typeR

bren@apex

iTrader: (20)

I tried a couple of tanks of Optimax (300+bhp Sapphire Cossy). The first seems to cause some hesitation as the car was reving out but that could simply be due to car having not had a good thrashing for a month. I refilled again with Optimax and forgot all about it. After a 150 miles or so we went out for the evening and on the way back I commented a few times that the car seemed to have 'fatter' power on boost and was running more smoothly. It occoured to me later that evening that I was running Optimax. Wether the better running was caused by the Optimax I couldnt say, but I was unbiased when I thought the car was running much better as Id forgotton I was running different fuel!! Im wary of the placebo effect of car mods but in this wasnt the case with the fuel 'cause Id forgotton about it

Im now back on Esso SUL as a result of Dingys finds and I could swear the car isnt reving out as cleanly now.

Ive emailed Shell with the points Dingys raised and am waiting for a reply.

Bren

stage 1

Bren - sounds like your intercooler was working better at night

Dave Thornton

I put in half a tank of Optimax yesterday (to top up the half tank of Esso SUL). My (standard) STi now seems to hesitate and flat spot sometimes (around 2500 - 3000 rpm) - not really impressed.

Trout...

I'm completely baffled - a few subjective observations and Optimax is written off

I think I'll have to email them as well to let them know how good this fuel is - subjectively and measurably - and not influenced by and commercial interest.

No det and more advance all the way up 1.65 bar - not even a hint of det at 1.3 bar - and I have more advance running on the car compared to ANY SUL. If I switch back now the car is all over the place.

Nuff said.

Trout

russell hayward

Seems to me you need to :-

1) Give at leat two/three tankfuls to clear out whatever was in your tank before.

2) Ensure the garage you are getting from didn't mix it with SUL.

Then form an opinion.

bren@apex

iTrader: (20)

Martin,

Maybe but then it was cold wet and miserable the week before so I doubt the ambient temps were any lower when I noticed the car performing better. And anyway you Scottish gimp Ive had the car for three years now so have driven it enough times on a cool evening to encompass the effect of colder charge air!!

Bren