Avgas
08-30-2003, 02:58 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 875
Does any one know if I can run my 7 on AVGAS. My mechanic said I can but not all the time.
Does anyone know anything about this or knows where I can get more info.
I want to run AVGAS during races.
Does anyone know anything about this or knows where I can get more info.
I want to run AVGAS during races.
08-30-2003, 01:27 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 14
I'm a newbie, but I've been reading alot on these sites.
It sounds to me that if you're '7 is N/A you want to run a lower octane, the one that's recommended. (87 or whatever) If you run a higher octane, you'll have problems with detonation (pinging) with a loss of power and possibly damage to the engine. I read somewhere that on some highly factory modded N/A race engines, it was suspected they were running on kerosene.
But on a turbo'd engine, you can run higher octane.
It sounds to me that if you're '7 is N/A you want to run a lower octane, the one that's recommended. (87 or whatever) If you run a higher octane, you'll have problems with detonation (pinging) with a loss of power and possibly damage to the engine. I read somewhere that on some highly factory modded N/A race engines, it was suspected they were running on kerosene.
But on a turbo'd engine, you can run higher octane.
08-30-2003, 07:03 PM
#3
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: panama city, florida
Posts: 249
I Dont see why you couldnt try it, and if your engine is modified more than a little, which it obviously is, than it would probably be great as a racing fuel,Which is kinda what avgas is anyway.
My father is a pilot and he told me that avgas is somewhere over 100 octane and higher so its going to burn really fast but then if your engine is modified and tuned a little, then thats pretty much what you want anyway.
You could probably start mixing and measuring and see how it works out. Just keep adding more avgas until you think its good or until you are using just avgas.
And there have been many people who have put mazda rotary engines in they're airplanes, look it up on the web and youll find some.
My father is a pilot and he told me that avgas is somewhere over 100 octane and higher so its going to burn really fast but then if your engine is modified and tuned a little, then thats pretty much what you want anyway.
You could probably start mixing and measuring and see how it works out. Just keep adding more avgas until you think its good or until you are using just avgas.
And there have been many people who have put mazda rotary engines in they're airplanes, look it up on the web and youll find some.
08-30-2003, 07:55 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Pottstown, PA
Posts: 248
Actually, the higher the octane rating, the more resistant to combustion the fuel is. Aviation fuel is leaded, I believe. That's why it has a much higher octane rating; much higher than race gas, even.
Edit: Oh, and to get your hands on some avgas, you're gonna have a good connection with someone who works at a small private airport whose willing to sell it to you. It's illegal to sell it for non-avaition use.
Edit: Oh, and to get your hands on some avgas, you're gonna have a good connection with someone who works at a small private airport whose willing to sell it to you. It's illegal to sell it for non-avaition use.
08-30-2003, 08:16 PM
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cincinnati, Oh hi hoe!
Posts: 2,286
Originally Posted by Billy Minder' date='Aug 30 2003, 02:27 PM
I'm a newbie, but I've been reading alot on these sites.
It sounds to me that if you're '7 is N/A you want to run a lower octane, the one that's recommended. (87 or whatever) If you run a higher octane, you'll have problems with detonation (pinging) with a loss of power and possibly damage to the engine. I read somewhere that on some highly factory modded N/A race engines, it was suspected they were running on kerosene.
But on a turbo'd engine, you can run higher octane.
It sounds to me that if you're '7 is N/A you want to run a lower octane, the one that's recommended. (87 or whatever) If you run a higher octane, you'll have problems with detonation (pinging) with a loss of power and possibly damage to the engine. I read somewhere that on some highly factory modded N/A race engines, it was suspected they were running on kerosene.
But on a turbo'd engine, you can run higher octane.
Also IIRC aviation gas is leaded, but im nto sure of the effects of that other then you can run it.
08-30-2003, 09:56 PM
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: panama city, florida
Posts: 249
http://www.pctweaking.com/motorsport/car.html
This Guy runs BP Aviation Fuel in his Volkswagon (1200cc)
Im pretty sure it can be done, but most races dont allow aircraft fuel.
This Guy runs BP Aviation Fuel in his Volkswagon (1200cc)
Im pretty sure it can be done, but most races dont allow aircraft fuel.
08-30-2003, 10:36 PM
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 875
Originally Posted by Billy Minder' date='Aug 30 2003, 10:27 AM
I'm a newbie, but I've been reading alot on these sites.
It sounds to me that if you're '7 is N/A you want to run a lower octane, the one that's recommended. (87 or whatever) If you run a higher octane, you'll have problems with detonation (pinging) with a loss of power and possibly damage to the engine. I read somewhere that on some highly factory modded N/A race engines, it was suspected they were running on kerosene.
But on a turbo'd engine, you can run higher octane.
It sounds to me that if you're '7 is N/A you want to run a lower octane, the one that's recommended. (87 or whatever) If you run a higher octane, you'll have problems with detonation (pinging) with a loss of power and possibly damage to the engine. I read somewhere that on some highly factory modded N/A race engines, it was suspected they were running on kerosene.
But on a turbo'd engine, you can run higher octane.
08-30-2003, 10:40 PM
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Canberra Australia
Posts: 875
Originally Posted by ZenRXSeven' date='Aug 30 2003, 04:55 PM
Edit: Oh, and to get your hands on some avgas, you're gonna have a good connection with someone who works at a small private airport whose willing to sell it to you. It's illegal to sell it for non-avaition use.
08-30-2003, 11:04 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 334
Not sure if this has been clarified or not but just because a fuel is leaded does not make it a higher octane fuel.
If your vehicle has electronic fuel injection and adjusts via an O2 sensor the lead is going to destroy it and your catalytic convertor if you still have that. Because of this, leaded fuel is typically run in carbureted cars.
I think I read something about avgas not having a consistent specific gravity or something a long time ago. Not sure if this is still the case. www.vpracingfuels.com or www.racegas.com will probably have something on the subject matter.
We run avgas in some of our jetskis. Costs $10.00 for 5 gallons usually and any Joe Schmoe can buy it so long as it is put in a jug and used for off-road applications; i.e., you can't pull up to the pump and top off the tank in your automobile.
One thing to consider is if you pre-mix and do not use the oil metering pump on your car, you are going to have to mix the same amount of laquer thinner with your avgas as you do oil. For instance, if you had 5 gallons of avgas and wanted to mix in 14oz. of oil (about 50:1 as used for our jetskis) you would have to mix in 14oz. of laquer thinner also. If not, the oil you mix will settle you'll have a situation much like oil and water.
If your vehicle has electronic fuel injection and adjusts via an O2 sensor the lead is going to destroy it and your catalytic convertor if you still have that. Because of this, leaded fuel is typically run in carbureted cars.
I think I read something about avgas not having a consistent specific gravity or something a long time ago. Not sure if this is still the case. www.vpracingfuels.com or www.racegas.com will probably have something on the subject matter.
We run avgas in some of our jetskis. Costs $10.00 for 5 gallons usually and any Joe Schmoe can buy it so long as it is put in a jug and used for off-road applications; i.e., you can't pull up to the pump and top off the tank in your automobile.
One thing to consider is if you pre-mix and do not use the oil metering pump on your car, you are going to have to mix the same amount of laquer thinner with your avgas as you do oil. For instance, if you had 5 gallons of avgas and wanted to mix in 14oz. of oil (about 50:1 as used for our jetskis) you would have to mix in 14oz. of laquer thinner also. If not, the oil you mix will settle you'll have a situation much like oil and water.
08-31-2003, 11:31 PM
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 1,788
The only downside to avgas is the price.
Its a higher octane fuel which means your a lot LESS likely to have detonation (pinging) from a lean mixture.
Its a leaded fuel which allows for better lubrication of your engine (lead in fuel is used for lubrication).
Your car will be fine. In some towns up north, they ONLY sell avgas at the petrol stations. This is because petrol-sniffers can't get high off it cos there's no ethanol.
No petrol high = no car breakins.
Its a higher octane fuel which means your a lot LESS likely to have detonation (pinging) from a lean mixture.
Its a leaded fuel which allows for better lubrication of your engine (lead in fuel is used for lubrication).
Your car will be fine. In some towns up north, they ONLY sell avgas at the petrol stations. This is because petrol-sniffers can't get high off it cos there's no ethanol.
No petrol high = no car breakins.