What kind of proof do they have? Any dyno results or SETP reports?
No need anything more than 87 octane in a stock engine. Higher octane rating does not mean more latent chemical engergy. The higher octane rated fuels have additives to stop he pinging or knocking associated with pre-detonation.
The octane number is a measure of a fuel’s resistance to pinging/knocking. This pinging or knocking occurs when a fuel does not burn consistently across a combustion chamber. Instead, while the flame is spreading across the chamber, others areas of the fuel beginnng burning spontaneously, causing a violent collision of the flame front. Which is what causes the pinging. Raising the octane number of the fuel makes the fuel burn consistently across the combustion chamber. Severe damage can occur if an engine pings or knocks for long periods of time. Up until the mid-seventies, tetra-ethyl lead was added to the gas at the refinery to raise the octane of pump gas and to provide a protective barrier for valve seats. It was phased out after it was found a health hazard. Today’s valve seats are hardened and do not require this protection. The old valve seats are soft and will micro-weld. And the slow recession of the valve seat under high temperature conditions.
octane links:
http://f.about.com/z/js/spr00.htm http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/octane.htm http://www.cyber-north.com/autotipnet/octane.html This was posted by Txdoc2 in the Highlifter.com forum, so I will not take credit for it.
Check out the links for the CORRECT HONEST THIRD-PARTY info.
Below is an exerpt from the second link written by the Federal Trade Commision (FTC):
Will higher octane gasoline clean your engine better?
As a rule, high octane gasoline does not outperform regular octane in preventing engine deposits from forming, in removing them, or in cleaning your car's engine. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that all octane grades of all brands of gasoline contain engine cleaning detergent additives to protect against the build-up of harmful levels of engine deposits during the expected life of your car.
Use this info and judge for yourself.
Shotgun- This was a great topic it got every's blood going. We get to see that evreyone has an idea or point to make right wrong or indifferent.