What kind of gas are you using?, modern 91/93 with ethanol or non-ethanol with octane booster Options

[boxster914]

I've just been given two conflicting suggestions:

Run non-ethanol 89 octane gas and use a lead substitute (instead o' lead)

or

just use modern 91/93 octane gas that contains ethanol.

I had been using non-ethanol gas in my 72 Beetle and then switched to modern 91/93 gas with ethanol and it seemed to develop a hesitation on acceleration.

I just got a 71 914 and am interested to know what you all are using so I can decide which gas to use in it.

[Racer]

Comes down to what's available. Some states don't allow non-ethanol fuels to be put in cars. others have no issue with it.

These cars were built to run on leaded regular (which of course did not have ethanol). Good luck finding that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Most cars get buy with any 87-93 octane fuel, ethanol or not. If you've advanced your timing trying to squeek out the last few hp, running 91 or higher could help with some predetonation.

If you are using an ethanol fuel in a car that sits awhile, run some kind of Stabil/Heet/Water evaporator to help keep lines and injectors/carbs cleaner.. not spotless, but cleaner.

Feel free to add a lead additive if you are worried about valvetrain wear.

Asking what fuel to use is like asking what oil to use. Everyone will tell you something to conflict with the last opinion!

[bbrock]

Comes down to what's available. Some states don't allow non-ethanol fuels to be put in cars. others have no issue with it.

These cars were built to run on leaded regular (which of course did not have ethanol). Good luck finding that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Most cars get buy with any 87-93 octane fuel, ethanol or not. If you've advanced your timing trying to squeek out the last few hp, running 91 or higher could help with some predetonation.

If you are using an ethanol fuel in a car that sits awhile, run some kind of Stabil/Heet/Water evaporator to help keep lines and injectors/carbs cleaner.. not spotless, but cleaner.

Feel free to add a lead additive if you are worried about valvetrain wear.

Asking what fuel to use is like asking what oil to use. Everyone will tell you something to conflict with the last opinion!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) except I'm not sure what would be gained with a lead additive since our cars have hardened valve seats. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

There is no advantage to running higher octane than needed unless you are trying to lose weight in your wallet. All stock 914 engines should run fine on regular octane unless you've tweaked them from stock specs.

I haven't driven my 914 since the days of leaded but hopefully she'll be mobile by this spring. I'll fill with ethanol free gas most of the time but won't hesitate to fill with ethanol blend on long trips when I know the tank will be used before storing the car for any length of time. If I do have to park the car for any length of time with ethanol blend in the tank, I'll use a stabilizer additive.