So i have my BBK CAI installed on my 2006 mustang. I have a question regarding the fuel type i should now be using. I usually just use regular since that's what my car recommended according to my gas cap.

BUT then i saw this at the end of this installation. "Special Note: Due to inscreased airflow and performance gains associated with this product, a slight detonation or lean condition may occur if used with low octane fuels (Regular). If this happens we recommend switching to a fuel with higher octane rating (Premium or Super).

So i wasnt planning on using a higher octane fuel untill i got my tune.. but should i start to now anyways i dont really understand whats "detonation or lean condition" means anyways.

I mean i assume illl get better performance if i switch befor i get my tune anyways? but how much? yea you guys get the point your all smart !

 

With Regular fuel you'll get predetonation simply because the fuel is not as...pure...i guess would be the way to explain it. I've always used Premium in my cars, whether they needed it or not. With Premium fuel you get better performance, less build-up, and better gas mileage. Sooo...take what you want from it. It's not that big of a problem.

For instance, in my old Focus on Regular fuel you could hear a slight ticking, but when you put Premium in it you couldn't hear a thing....Idk exactly how to explain it, but you get the point.

 

regular unless u get a 93 octane tune

 

Not true at all. There is no difference in how the gas performs other then the fact that higher octane controls detonation better. If the car does not have a power adder,high compression, or lots of timing (stock car) you do not need to run anything but regular. That's it, it does not burn cleaner, is not purer, you do not get less build up(infact you can get more carbon using high octane for no reason on a car that needs regular), and it does not change your gas mileage I have tried it many times and trips and there is no difference. I actully get better mpg on regular.

Your focus most likely had carbon build up on the pistons which causes hot spots and makes the car detonate, the higher octane helps to control that.

I would not bother with higher octane, unless you hear detonation (sounds like marbles in a can), so just hurry up and get that tuner so you can unlock the power that the intake/tune combo holds on 05+ cars.

 

thanks man very solid info! looking to get it when my next pay check comes in. hehe

 

Performance wise it might not give you better perform without a tune, but with it you can tell a pretty big difference over 87 (I use 93+). So it's not necessarily more performance, but the potential I suppose.

As for the fuel mileage I've tested it in my Focus and my Mustang and both got better gas mileage on a solid interstate drive. But that's not exactly a true test...

The Premium fuels are better on your engine as far as resitance from knocking, which in extreme cases can eventually lead to burning holes in the top of the piston...and no one wants that. Idk I've always been willing to put the extra $0.20 into the car to keep it in good shape. I have to put it in the Cobra, so why not do it in the S197 too...

 

lol you DONT notice a differece.. using premium doesnt make you faster, stronger or cooler.

 

With a tune yes you can notice a difference. Read the damn post.

And who the **** said anything about it being cooler??? or stronger?

Are you drunk?

 

lol he does that sometimes he is well him.

As for the octane, trust me man it does nothing extra other then control detonation better. It does nothing better other then to do just what I said. Which can be used with more timing to make more power of course. However on a stock car its pointless to toss money into the tank for nothing.

 

Right, which I understand that a stock car won't gain any power off of a higher octane fuel. I've just been so use to putting in 93 that it becomes a ritual. Even when I drive the lady's stang to go fill it up I always put in 93.

I think it's a muscle-memory thing to go for the far right button lol.

 

Ok, I'm going to clear up some things.

First off, if you're only mod is a CAI you are not going to need 93 octane fuel. You will be perfectly fine running 87.

If your only mod is the intake, you're not going to have any detonation. Thus, you're going to see no benefit from running 93 octane. 93 octane fuel will help you reduce the detonation in your engine, but you won't have any so it won't do anything. You won't get any power gains or anything.

There are only a few scenarios in which you need 93 octane. Here are the most common:

A) You adjust your timing with a tune.
B) You are running forced induction (supercharger/turbo).
C) You are using nitrous.

Not as common reason:
D) For some strange reason, you're experiencing detonation.

 

Don't forget that if you are running a high compression setup as in 10:1 or higher you need more then 87 or 89.

 

whats high compression?

 

The compression ratio of an engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber, from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity. It is a fundamental specification for many common combustion engines.

All you need to know is that your stock mustang does not have a high compression motor. So you do not need to worry about it.