In regards to a post earlier today:
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/000820.html

it is not good to run higher than 87 octane?
I fill up at chevron, and use the 89 octane. Is this bad?


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2000 White F-150 Sport 4.2L 5-speed,3.55 gears
MODS: K&N, Flowmaster 50 series.
www.fordvschevy.com Ford vs Chevy
Moderator: Road Kill, Mustang vs F-bodies. We also have a
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AIM: fakefvc

 

Running premium gas isn't necessarly bad for your engine, it's just that the engine doesn't use the extra octain (computer is'nt tuned to use it) So you're basicly just pouring money down the drain. I believe I did read here that some of the Ford computer codes did require a higher than reg (higher than 87) octaine to keep from having the knock. And there are a few people here that run premium and swear that their engines run better for it. On my last truck (97f150) it ran fantastic on the cheapest gas I could find (except for Exxon-got really lousy milage w/that gas) Then when I got the superchip I switched over to premium. So, in regards to your question about running 89 octain: I'd say if your truck runns well with it then use it. But IF you can run 87 and the truck does just as well, then why pay for something that's not doing you any good. In any case, I don't think that little extra octain will hurt your engine.

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
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I'm one of those people that had to run higher than 87 octane when the truck was bone-stock. My computer code, FOU1, was pretty agressive in it's settings. It would ping pretty badly under load - regardless of which brand of fuel was used. Running 89 Octane cured the problem.

Now I'm Superchipped and run 92 Octane. Had to have the chip detuned a tad because the pinging returned - pesky FOU1...

I've never seen proof that running higher than necessary octane will cause damage. Heck, starting it up in the morning causes damage.

Tom in Tacoma

 

Hello Tom in Tacoma
I was talking to you the other night in the chat room. I also have the FOU1 code in my truck. And as stated above, I also have to run higher octain to keep the engine from pinging. I have just ordered a chip, so I am anxiously awaiting it. DId you have to send it back to have it "detuned"?

Joe

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1998 XLT STX, Bright Red
Auto, 4.6 V8, 3.55, 17in wheels
K&N air filter
Gibson Supertruck exhaust
Billet Grill with bumper insert
******** Hard Cover
Driving lights behind billit grill
See my truck at: http://hometown.aol.com/akaslyguy/truck.html
Pictures were taken on 4/9/00




[This message has been edited by Joe Rayburn (edited 05-06-2000).]

 

Hi Joe,

Yes, I did have to send it back. Mike T backed off on timing advance a few degrees. Now it's just fine and I don't notice any less performance. Mike finds that about 5% of the FOU1 code computers will cause pinging when chipped. Guess I should consider myself lucky.

Install your chip and run about 5 tanks of premium grade fuel. If you still experience pinging under hard acceleration (3500rpm +) get in touch with Mike (Hi Mikey... :-)

Joe, I'll be in touch about the clear lenses.

Tom in Tacoma

 

Dear fakefvc,

Most F-150 owners manuals say to use 87 octane, as that is what the engine's spark and fuel curves are tuned for. So you won't see any appreciable amout of increased power by using higher-octane gas, as the tuning is such that your engine cannot take advantage of higher octane gasoline's increased anti-knock properties with the factory programming. Using higher octane won't cause any actual engine damage, but you can sometimes experience "soggy" throttle response and worse gas mileage if you do use premium, for example. This is simply due to the higher octane fuels burning a bit more slowly in the combustion chamber.

If you're not using the Superchip, as long as you don't get any spark knock using 87, it's generally a waste of money to use any more octane than is required, but it won't cause actual damage. The bottom line is, if you're getting good results with what you're using, stick with it.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Dear Joe Rayburn,

To expand just a bit on what Tom posted, the FOU1-code was originally developed for the 1998 "NASTRUCK", which was a lighter vehicle than other similar V-8 F-150's. So in about 5% of those vehicles, when stock, they will exhibit spark knock using 87 octane regular gasoline. This goes away by using mid-grade.

We see the same results when using the Superchip with 92 octane gas, meaning that about 5% of the FOU1's will exhibit spark knock, and so that is why we have a more conservative program available for that very small number of vehicles affected by this.

Now in Tom's case, he purchased a used older FOU1-code Superchip that was made right after the FOU1 code came out, before this characteristic was known about that code, as there just weren't enough FOU1 code vehicles on the road yet to see what happens in large numbers across the entire country. So what we did for him was to provide the updated FOU1-code, and that immediately took care of the problem.

So it's not something that is the fault of the Superchip per se, this core of about 5% of these FOU1 non-NASTRUCK vehicles will exhibit this either with the Superchip using 92 octane, or stock using 87 octane. It's simply due to the additional weight of the non-NASTRUCK vehicles using that FOU1 code that is just a tad more aggressive, as a result of a bit more load from weight.

To sum up, 95% of the FOU1 code non-NASTRUCK owners will never be bothered by this, either stock or with the Superchip. For that 5% that is affected, we have a program designed to take care of that, and we simply reflash the Superchip for you at no charge.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 05-06-2000).]

 

Joe Rayburn I was wondering what the model # of the billt grill you have is,I have a red truck also, first went with the stull ss and now have a bra on the front it looks good but I like the way the grill looks on your truck,Thanks john

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99 F250 XLT LD 4X4 S/C,5.4,3.73 Limited slip,Bright red clearcoat ,4whl abs,remote start w/keyless entry and alarm,chrome rims,tinted,westin nerf bars,factory tonneau,superchip,K&NGen II fipk,pioneer in dash cd,pioneer amp,infinity kappas all around,Lund front runner bug sheild.Gibson split rear,stull SS grilles.