Will 100 octane make gains?

[kevg73]

A mostly hypothetical question. Since the Ecoboost loses some power (some say 13% :eyebulge with lower octane fuel and the ECU optimizes the timing based on the octane is there any chance you would see higher HP numbers on 100 octane racing fuel? Maybe this would stop that high RPM dropoff we keep seeing.

There's a station a couple miles from my house that sells 100 octane, its obviously too expensive to run all the time but it might be interesting for a track day.

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[B17drvr]

It should.

 

[Jimdohc]

I doubt it. Factory tune is most likely for 87-93.

But, it's still useful. If you have 1/4 tank of 87 and it's time to go racing. You can add 1/4 tank of 100 to make 1/2 tank of ~93.

 

[Tim Hilliard]

Unless you have a tune to take advantage of it I doubt it would help. The issue with the 2.3 is charge air temp (mixture temp) The factory logarithms are going to be based on worst case and protection will be based on charge air temperature. With a tune (aggressive timing, less reduction based on temperature)is where higher quality fuels will show, plus anything without that pesky corn oil mixed in is always better for internals.

In other words if you can install a more efficient intercooler/methanol system and 'chill' the mixture you will improve performance independent of fuel(in theory)

Edit: Ford has allowed it to be pretty clear your engine will work most efficiently with 93 over 87, it's tuned for performance but will protect itself. Most octane recognition systems are based on knocking and not actually having the ability to determine the actual octane of the fuel.
If I'm dating myself, I apologize and someone in the loop will correct me.

 

[kevg73]

That's why I thought it might work. If it is based on detecting knocking the 100 octane shouldn't knock until higher temps and pressures. It might have a negative effect on the components but it might make more power for a while. Sounds like we really need a 100 octane tune to take full advantage... Hint hint tuners

 

[SlickShoes]

Run it in conjunction with a tune and you'll pick up boat loads of power.

 

[Jimdohc]

Here's a basic tunes for my car.
Main Ignition timing map (2.3 probably has many Ign Maps) shows the maximum timing if everything is perfect. For example, if IAT, ECT & EGT are "normal" and no knock, I'll be running 22 degrees at 1.6bar (23.2psi) from 5500-9000rpm. This 22 degrees was set by finding minimum ignition timing for maximum hp under knock threshold. First scenario, knock threshold might be 30 degrees but max power is made at 22 degrees. So 22 is chosen and recommend octane is 87. Second scenario (my car & 2.3's), if knock happens at 21 but no peak power is found then ignition is set to 20. With higher octane, knock threshold is raised (by definition of "octane"). If the new threshold is 23 we use 22 for that octane and set the ecu to subtract 2 degrees under knock giving 20 for the lower grade. Each octane we have to find knock threshold and peak hp. Street gas is 87-93. So for scenario 2, 93 octane would give 22 and 87 would give 20. If you put 100 the max timing would still be 22.

If any temps change, timing is pulled proportionate to "not normal" temp (up to 5 degrees in my case). As temp returns normal so will timing.

The two are not related... Octane/knock vs temps

 

[TheDivaDanielle]

I'm guessing the intercooler is going to be as crappy as the stock one in the Focus and Fiesta.

It's so tiny that people experience charge temp increases of nearly 150 degrees on pulls.
Thankfully the aftermarket is there to negate those losses.

The one I have on my FoST keeps temp totally at ambient unless i'm sitting in traffic.

The EcoBoost will have no problem seeing 350-400whp w/ intercooler, intake, exhaust and a tune.

 

[Brent302]

I'm guessing the intercooler is going to be as crappy as the stock one in the Focus and Fiesta.

It's so tiny that people experience charge temp increases of nearly 150 degrees on pulls.
Thankfully the aftermarket is there to negate those losses.

The one I have on my FoST keeps temp totally at ambient unless i'm sitting in traffic.

The EcoBoost will have no problem seeing 350-400whp w/ intercooler, intake, exhaust and a tune.

Hope this helps

2015 Mustang 2.3L EcoBoost Intercooler: First Loo…:

 

[TheDivaDanielle]

looks small. example of the stock intercooler an the aftermarket example on my FoST

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