Some info contained here: http://www.pcf.ab.ca/quick_answers/gasoline_general/octane_rating.asp And here: http://www.shellus.com/products/product_info/gasoline_properties.html "Probably the most familiar gasoline characteristic is antiknock quality or its octane rating. The octane rating is simply a measure of the gasoline’s resistance to knock. Knock is the sound made when the fuel/air mixture in the engine’s combustion chambers ignites by itself (auto-ignition), either before the spark occurs or in front of the flame already started by the spark plug. Advancing ignition timing increases the tendency to knock. " It says absolutely nothing about the higher-octane gas burning at a higher temperature. It does say, however, that engines with higher compression, such as Euro-WBX, or advanced timing, such as mine, will benefit from a higher octane gasoline. Also, engines with combustion chamber deposits, such as any old WBX, will have slightly higher compression ratio, hence the benefit of increased engine longevity from higher-octane gasoline. All of this should be considered along with the driving environment. It seems that an engine under higher and prolonged loads, such as a hill-climbing Westy, is probably going to benefit from the more expensive gasoline.
Chris. |
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