Beware Of Garbage Gasoline
Beware Of Garbage Gasoline
Hey guys,
It happened again yesterday. I had another customer come into the shop after coming off the Ohio Turnpike with a car that gave me headaches to tune. It was once again the fuel.
STAY AWAY FROM THE VALERO GAS STATIONS. If you are coming here or want your car to run correctly do not buy that gas.
It is my opinion there has to be a scam going on there. There is no way in hell that gasoline is 92-93 octane. I've tuned California 91 octane fuel that is better than that crap.
Use to be the Ohio Turnpike was all Sunoco gas. I guess this new company must have won a bid or something as they are now all converted to this crap.
It started about a year ago when I had a customer come in for a tune. I was having problems, asked him where he got his fuel and he told me "On the Turnpike" I assumed it was Sunoco as I hadn't been up there in awhile. So I continued on and did the best job I could. Then another guy and another came and finally it was said "Valero" and not just "on the turnpike". Now every single car that has come here with that crap in it has knocked like mad.
Yesterday with this well built stroked, 67 Ptrim turbo EVO I could barely make 400 whp. Once we hit it with a good dose of alcohol it started to make some power but my timing numbers were less than 1/2 of what they could have been with the crap fuel.
So just a warning. It appears to me as though you are not getting what you think you are at this particular brand of gas station. I would avoid it like the plague.
It happened again yesterday. I had another customer come into the shop after coming off the Ohio Turnpike with a car that gave me headaches to tune. It was once again the fuel.
STAY AWAY FROM THE VALERO GAS STATIONS. If you are coming here or want your car to run correctly do not buy that gas.
It is my opinion there has to be a scam going on there. There is no way in hell that gasoline is 92-93 octane. I've tuned California 91 octane fuel that is better than that crap.
Use to be the Ohio Turnpike was all Sunoco gas. I guess this new company must have won a bid or something as they are now all converted to this crap.
It started about a year ago when I had a customer come in for a tune. I was having problems, asked him where he got his fuel and he told me "On the Turnpike" I assumed it was Sunoco as I hadn't been up there in awhile. So I continued on and did the best job I could. Then another guy and another came and finally it was said "Valero" and not just "on the turnpike". Now every single car that has come here with that crap in it has knocked like mad.
Yesterday with this well built stroked, 67 Ptrim turbo EVO I could barely make 400 whp. Once we hit it with a good dose of alcohol it started to make some power but my timing numbers were less than 1/2 of what they could have been with the crap fuel.
So just a warning. It appears to me as though you are not getting what you think you are at this particular brand of gas station. I would avoid it like the plague.
Yeah there is a gas station by me in Chicago that sells "Race Fuel." 100 Octane garbage. I asked the guy when was the last time they got a fresh batch of the 100 Octane and he said about 3-4 months ago... I'm sticking with Shell V-Power!
David great post
I suggest all customers avoid any off brand gas such as quickt trip - cosco - best value - easy fill - etc etc etc etc
While there is no guarantee that the fuel you are using is of good quality and volitility - filling up at a top nationally branded and very busy gas station is ususllly helpful in this redard.
I have seen greast success with Sunoco - Shell - 76 - BP and Chevron
The inconsistant and varying nature of pump gas fuels is one important reason why all pump gas tuning must be conservative and take into account vartiations in tank to tank.
Alcohol injection systems can level the field and gte you more unfiorm tank to tank octane, however they do require attention and monitioring on a regular basis and are not for everyone.
AL
I suggest all customers avoid any off brand gas such as quickt trip - cosco - best value - easy fill - etc etc etc etc
While there is no guarantee that the fuel you are using is of good quality and volitility - filling up at a top nationally branded and very busy gas station is ususllly helpful in this redard.
I have seen greast success with Sunoco - Shell - 76 - BP and Chevron
The inconsistant and varying nature of pump gas fuels is one important reason why all pump gas tuning must be conservative and take into account vartiations in tank to tank.
Alcohol injection systems can level the field and gte you more unfiorm tank to tank octane, however they do require attention and monitioring on a regular basis and are not for everyone.
AL
Shell V-Power FTW!!! I use it exclusively prior to my tune with Sean Ivey and haven't switched since, I even stay away from Exxon . . . . it's good stuff . . .thanks for the info DB!
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Now just imagine when us out here in Cali get a bad tank of "91oct" 
Who knows what that stuff really is.
Definitely stick w/ the big name brands as we have come across numerous cars at the shop w/ similar tuning difficulties
Who knows what that stuff really is.
Definitely stick w/ the big name brands as we have come across numerous cars at the shop w/ similar tuning difficulties
I haven't noticed any decline in performance by running Mobile 1 over Shell V-Power, but one that I have noticed and will definitely stay away from here around Chicago is Citgo. Citgo 93 runs like garbage. I get less MPG, and noticeably slower acceleration. You'd think the butt dyno wouldn't be able to notice different octane values, but it can.
Now, I only use Shell V-Power. It might be a few pennies more and a bit out of my way to get there, but at least they aren't selling crap gas.
Now, I only use Shell V-Power. It might be a few pennies more and a bit out of my way to get there, but at least they aren't selling crap gas.
wow this sucks all we have is mobil 1, conoco, exxon, valero, texaco, and 1 shell
Oh damn lmao, they have a sunoco at my track that i go to woot geuss ill have to fill up before i leave home too.
Last edited by kaonashi; Oct 10, 2007 at 09:08 AM.
Don't know if you all are fortunate enough....but believe it or not out here in the car/smog loving state of CA 
we are actually able to get VP fuels from the pump in select areas.
They sell their 91 and 93 pump fuel and even have VP 100 unleaded streetblaze straight from a pump
Used to run this on my KB'd 03 Cobra 
we are actually able to get VP fuels from the pump in select areas.They sell their 91 and 93 pump fuel and even have VP 100 unleaded streetblaze straight from a pump
Used to run this on my KB'd 03 Cobra