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91 Oct Loss of Power

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Old May 15, 2003 | 03:16 PM
  #16  
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From: OC
Originally posted by DB8GSR
The Evo sure is hurting on 91 octane pump gas when it comes to engine performance. Everytime I nail the gas all the way thru redline on the highway is a bit dissapointing. The facial expression look on my face changes from excitement to disappointment. I have a 5 gallon 100 unleaded octane gas sitting at home and just the other day, i decided to pour 2 gallons into the tank. Once the mixture settles into the tank, I drove the car again and you can tell a difference from a 3rd gear and 4th gear pulls on the highway. I'm so accustomed to driving high revving honda motors and I like going to redline every now and then and the Evo on the other hand will love you more if you put higher better gas into.

Although I believe the Evo is down on power when running on 91 Oct, I'm still not quite convinced it's real night and day stuff. I've been mixing in the 100 Oct racing gas from 76, and according to my butt dyno, 5k to 7k feels roughly about the same (3 to 5k is strong all the time). I'd like to believe it's better but not absolutely convinced.

I'm also wondering how soon the change would kick in. I've seen some people quote 100 miles, before the ECU would readjust. So first time I mixed the gas I just waited for the change to take effect. Second time I disconnected the battery for a couple of minutes in the hope it would "reset" itself with regard to how much knock it was getting. And they both felt about the same.

All of the above is real subjective, and of course the real test would be on a dyno, or timed on the track I suppose.

Anybody have any idea as to how soon they think the Evo's ECU would "learn" the new Octane value of the gas it is using ???
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Old May 15, 2003 | 07:02 PM
  #17  
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For what it's worth...

Just for fun, I called Mitsubishi and asked them if they stand by their performance numbers on 91 octane.

The lady was perplexed and didn't know how to answer. She looked for the minimum octane rating in her materials, but it wasn't listed (which sounds strange, or suspicious depending on how you look at it).

So she called the engineering department.

The conclusion was, yes, the typical Evo outputs 271 HP on 91 octane gas. Of course, she added that since it was a mass produced car, each one might be different...

Sounds like that's what Shiv is seeing...

Originally posted by zx6r

Although I believe the Evo is down on power when running on 91 Oct, I'm still not quite convinced it's real night and day stuff. I've been mixing in the 100 Oct racing gas from 76, and according to my butt dyno, 5k to 7k feels roughly about the same (3 to 5k is strong all the time). I'd like to believe it's better but not absolutely convinced.

I'm also wondering how soon the change would kick in. I've seen some people quote 100 miles, before the ECU would readjust. So first time I mixed the gas I just waited for the change to take effect. Second time I disconnected the battery for a couple of minutes in the hope it would "reset" itself with regard to how much knock it was getting. And they both felt about the same.

All of the above is real subjective, and of course the real test would be on a dyno, or timed on the track I suppose.

Anybody have any idea as to how soon they think the Evo's ECU would "learn" the new Octane value of the gas it is using ???
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Old May 15, 2003 | 07:17 PM
  #19  
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I got the feeling that no one had much of a clue, so you're prolly right on in that repect.

But let me get this straight:

The manual that COMES WITH the USDM version of the Evo (and is translated from Japanese) states that the car should use 98 octane, or are you referencing the Japanese manual verbatim?

No offense intended, but I don't think looking at the Japanese manual will tell us much. The car is significantly different, with different setup and likely different tuning due to different gas and different emissions regulations.

Does anyone with an 03 USDM Evo VIII have the manual handy? Does it list the minimum octane? Does it recommend higher than 91?

Arrgh! California is great except for the cost of living and the crappy (and expensive) gas!

Originally posted by Claudius
I guess the lady you spoke to and the people SHE spoke to have no clue: the manual states to use 98 octane. This is a translation from the Japanese manual and equates to about 93 - 93.5 octane in the USA.

Last edited by kurichan; May 15, 2003 at 07:21 PM.
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Old May 15, 2003 | 07:31 PM
  #20  
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From: OC
Originally posted by kurichan
For what it's worth...

So she called the engineering department.

The conclusion was, yes, the typical Evo outputs 271 HP on 91 octane gas. Of course, she added that since it was a mass produced car, each one might be different...


It would be nice to have that in writing Especially since the specs (sometimes) state power with 98 RON fuel.

Originally posted by kurichan
For what it's worth...
Sounds like that's what Shiv is seeing...

How do you make that out ? AFAIK the jurys still out on that one ?

Originally posted by Claudius
I guess the lady you spoke to and the people SHE spoke to have no clue: the manual states to use 98 octane. This is a translation from the Japanese manual and equates to about 93 - 93.5 octane in the USA.
Yeah that manual sucks. In general most documents translated from Japanese suck, because they either get a non-Technical person translating them, a non-native speaker, or even worse a non-technical, non-native speaker

But back to the manual - it's confusing ( maybe deliberately ) as they mix 2 different terms - one minute they are talking 98 RON, the next minute they are talking "87 [(MON+RON)/2], or 91 RON may be used temporarily". To me this is akin to saying the top speed of the vehicle is 249 km/h or xx feet per sec. Yeah, you could work it out if you can be bothered, but the commonly accepted rating is (MON+RON)/2, and I think they should use it !
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Old May 15, 2003 | 07:35 PM
  #21  
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From: OC
Originally posted by kurichan
Does anyone with an 03 USDM Evo VIII have the manual handy? Does it list the minimum octane? Does it recommend higher than 91?

It says :

Octane Requirement
Your vehicle is designed to operate on premium grade unleaded gasoline having a minimum octane rating of 98 RON. If premium grade unleaded gasoline is not available, unleaded gasoline having an octane rating of 87 [(MON+RON)/2], or 91 RON may be used temporarily. However, the performance level may be reduced.
MON: Motor Octane Number
RON: Research Octane Number
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Old May 15, 2003 | 08:01 PM
  #22  
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From: Tokyo
Originally posted by zx6r

Yeah that manual sucks. In general most documents translated from Japanese suck, because they either get a non-Technical person translating them, a non-native speaker, or even worse a non-technical, non-native speaker
If it's who I think it is, he's very non-technical, but he is a native speaker of english. Unfortunately, it's Canadian english, so....

Cheers,

Paul Hansen
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Old May 16, 2003 | 03:54 PM
  #24  
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Claudius,

That's not what I wanted to hear! Take it back and lie to me! Tell me the Evo runs great on 91 and Mitsubishi will back it! Tell me it's a misprint! Tell me ANYTHING...

If the manual is right (sounds like a sloppy translation, not a market targeted document, so who knows?) what are we 91 octane states to do? Is airplane gas unleaded? I have an airport a couple miles from where I live that sells 100LL. That might be an option...

Looks like Subaru's 500 cc bump for the STi might have been the right move. Despite being a happy WRX owner, I was really leaning toward the Evo, but if the Evo doesn't like Cali gas...?

I think Mitsu has a bit of an issue on its hands.

Will be interesting to see what Shiv accomplishes. Thrilled to hear that Mitsu is cooperating with him.

Originally posted by Claudius
I mean the manual that comes with the US Evo 8 and that was translated from Japanese language, which, like confirmad above, recommends 98 (Japanese) octane, ie 93 octane.

Last edited by kurichan; May 16, 2003 at 03:56 PM.
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Old May 16, 2003 | 04:06 PM
  #25  
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Originally posted by zx6r
How do you make that out [regarding Shiv]? AFAIK the jurys still out on that one ?
Yeah - that's my take; the jury is still out. However, my understanding is that Shiv is seeing a wide variance in HP/T across Evos, the issue is that no one knows why.

Shiv seems to be keeping quiet for now, as he must, but I think that Mitsubishi being "more responsive than any manufacturer" he's ever seen about working out the issues is pretty good evidence that issues actually do exist. Otherwise, they wouldn't be cooperating, would they?

Also, quotes like "don't worry, we're all on the side of the consumer" seem to tell us that the consumer might need an advocate.

Anyway, I don't want to debate whether there is a problem, but I don't want to buy an Evo until I know either. Guess I'll just have to let other people do the Beta testing... Guess I'm going to stick with my WRX until next summer and wait for feedback on the STi and the Evo. All the excitement will have died down, along with the price, and we should know most of the mechanical issues for both cars. Also, more aftermarket stuff will be out!
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Old May 16, 2003 | 07:30 PM
  #26  
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Someone at nasioc.com just posted the info on STi owner's manual. Same thing with the EVO, 93/94 octane recommended and 91octane for temporary use only. I guess Shiv will be selling a lot of his kits.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 12:32 AM
  #27  
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From: OC
Originally posted by IS2000
Someone at nasioc.com just posted the info on STi owner's manual. Same thing with the EVO, 93/94 octane recommended and 91octane for temporary use only. I guess Shiv will be selling a lot of his kits.
If this is true , then it makes the Sti worse than the Evo. At least in the Evo's manual temporary use gas goes down to 87 Octane indicating a little bit more leeway on knock over the Sti.
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Old May 17, 2003 | 12:55 AM
  #28  
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From: OC
For those interested here's the link

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=362496
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Old May 17, 2003 | 09:17 AM
  #30  
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Re: 91 Oct Loss of Power

Originally posted by I-5Rally
Having a hard time deciding wether or not to get an EVO or a STI.

One question I have is that the EVO really needs 93-94 octane for max power right? How much power loss should I expect having to run 91 octane 90% of the time? If Im only going to get 250 HP because the ECU keeps pulling timing, Im surely going to go with the STI.

I currently have a WRX wagon, stock, that I love and will be keeping (wife drives). And have no experience with Mitsus.

Thanks
Better do some more research on the STi before you come to the conclusion that it will not suffer from low octane performance degradation.

STi Owners Manual....

2.5 Liter (Turbo) models
Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 94 AKI or higher
. If premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI
is not available, premium unleaded gasoline
with octane rating of 91 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine performance
and driveability, it is recommended that
you use premium grade unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 93 AKI or higher.
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