430 Ethanol-free 90 octane vs 10% Ethanol 93 octane

I use ethanol free 92 octane and add a octane booster in my 360. This has worked well for the past 4 years.

 

This raises a good point. Do our 360s and 430s even have ECUs that make adjustments based on octane? If not, then an octane booster would just be a waste and perhaps even lessen performance.

 

In my experience these cars definitely run better with higher octane fuel up to 93. I dont think you get anything beyond unless you tune for it.

 

There was a discussion on this topic in the TR forum a few weeks ago. My car went from using 93 ethanol to 90 non-ethanol per my mechanic’s suggestion. (The owner’s manual states that 90 is an acceptable octane rating.) I could definitely feel a difference—especially down low in the rev range—and so started adding in an octane booster. That fixed it.

 

Isn't a % of ROH added to gas an octane booster? My understanding was the problems initially with ROH in the fuel it was harder on hoses,gaskets & breakdown with age. This has changed with new materials. The old fuels had lead which acted as a lube for the valves etc. all of which has changed. I think I have more power or torque is like not knowing you are ill until a test like the PCR tells you have Covid.

 

ROH?

 

ROH = I'm sorry is the Chem symbol for Alcohol.

 

Ah. Brain blanked it I guess. Chemistry is a course that I got through and tried to forever forget.

 

Where I live, only ethanol free 89 octane exists, so I've been using Shell's v-power 10% ethanol 92 octane instead. I don't know if its good or not, but I did not want to risk running low octane gas in my 360 in fear of getting knocks.

 

Does the 360 or 430 have knock sensors?

for example the ls series v8 has knock sensors which will pull timing if detonation is detected. You can get detonation w low grade fuel.

 

Since Ferrari says 90 works that kinda settles it. I use non ethanol.

 

Yes, late Ferraris have knock sensors or equivalent. Anything less than recommended octane results in less hp as the timing is retarded.

 

Thx taz. I figured at 8500 rpm w high compression there would be some knock protection.

taz- are you a Ferrari tech? You are super helpful.

 

I have been using 91 Octane Ethanol-free. Goes along with the manual recommended European 95 Octane. I've been happy with this, without problems.

Kevin

 

No, not a Ferrari tech, just nearly 50 years of Ferrari ownership. Maintained my own during most of that, but not currently.