Running a ZE on 87 octane?

V6 Technical/Performance Discussions
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papa roached
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by papa roached »

the manual only covers the K8 with a 9.2:1 compression, not the KL-ZE with 10:1, so yea, blow your motor up
93 MX-3 GS (collecting parts for Eunos Presso conversion), 94 626 Transmission (4.10 gears), KL31 camed KL-ZE, Millenia intake, Millenia TB, SSAutochrome V2 headers, Magnaflow cat, 2 1/4 in pipe, Top Speed Pro 1 muffler, 9lb Fidanza Flywheel, ACT clutch, Corksport SS clutch line, Corksport SS brake lines, Unorthadox UDP, 255 lph fuel pump, HEI mod, ghetto-charger intake, KL36 ECU, SRD transverse crossmember bushings, SRD shifter extention bushing, SRD crossmember, Corksport bronzoil shifter bushings, Brembo Crossdrilled and Slotted rotors, 15 inch Konig Heliums, ZX-2 S/R struts, Eibach lowering springs, OEM front strut bar, Ebay rear strut bar, BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDWs

Parts needing installed: turbo kit from BB (if i ever get it), 9.0:1 CR Diamond pistons, 4340 forged H beam rods, C/J-Spec spoiler, Nissan red tops in KL rails
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SimonPK
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by SimonPK »

ok - so I'll keep putting in 93!
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by UoMDeacon »

;) Wasn't paying attention to the fact that you guys were talking about the KLZE. Anyhoo...
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Nd4SpdSe
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by Nd4SpdSe »

isnt a motor blowing up using lower grade gas a little exagerating?

My car always gets Sonoco 94Octane, 92-93 worse case if im really, really, really stuck

I always found high-octane lastested a bit longer, a gave the engine a little more kick. Never tried less than 92 with my ZE, and i never wil

I wanna put a sticker to replace my "Unleaded Fuel Only" with "High-Octane Unleaded Fuel Only" sticker
1992 Mazda Mx-3 GSR - 2.5L KLZE : Award Winning Show Car & Race Car ['02-'09] (Retired)
2004 Mazda RX-8 GT - Renesis Wankel : LS3 Coils, BHR Mid-Pipe + Falken RT-615K 245/40r18
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millionflame
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by millionflame »

Originally posted by UoMDeacon:
I've always used 87 in my V6, and have never experienced knocking. The manual states 87 is fine.
Actually, if you re-read that owner's manual you will see it states 91 octane for the K8.

~A
~ Millionflame (94 GS 120K)
UoMDeacon
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by UoMDeacon »

Looks like 87 to me for the 1.8L V6

<img src="http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~hwuz/IMG_1251s.jpg" alt=" - " />
Originally posted by Aiden:
Originally posted by UoMDeacon:
I've always used 87 in my V6, and have never experienced knocking. The manual states 87 is fine.
Actually, if you re-read that owner's manual you will see it states 91 octane for the K8.

~A

<small>[ October 17, 2003, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: UoMDeacon ]</small>
Tyler17rose
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by Tyler17rose »

Mine says 91.
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- ZE, Mike seli 214 intake cams, Ported n polished heads, Interprep valve springs, DE retainers, rebuilt bottom end, toga main and rod bearings, toga hv oil pump, CZT 67mm tb, mbx udp, ported intake mani, SS headers, 2.5inch full exhaust, racingbeat muffler, highflow cat, megasquirt v2.

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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by UoMDeacon »

LOL really? Hmmm...that's kinda weird.
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by Spydie »

interesting.....on page 3-2 of my manual it also says 91.
(sorry no scanner)

"Your Mazda will perform best with regular unleaded fuel having a research octane number (antiknock index) of at least 91 [(R+M)/2 method, 87]

<small>[ October 17, 2003, 05:47 PM: Message edited by: Darren Hyderman ]</small>
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by IanL »

This is a method of measurement issue. Lots of countries use RON (Research Octane Number) measurement, and the recommendation in my (K8D) Owner's Manual is 90 RON. This is the same as about 86 (R+M)/2, which is the measurement system in N. America. So 87 is fine in the US.

By the same token, I think a KLZE in the UK (if I could get one :( ) would need 98 RON (about 93 to 94 on the(R+M)/2 scale).

<small>[ October 17, 2003, 06:05 PM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>
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millionflame
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by millionflame »

Yeah, 87 works, but you get considerably more ping than 91.

The K8 still uses 9.1:1 compression, which is moderate, 91 would still be best.

My manual definately states 91, but it's weird there are some discrepancies between the years or models.

~A
~ Millionflame (94 GS 120K)
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Steeb
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by Steeb »

my 92 gs says 87 in the manual. so i stick with the cheap stuff till my motor goes it :D
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by IanL »

Aiden,

Could you check whether your manual says 91 RON. If so, I expect that's 87 at your pump.

However, if it says 91 (R+M)/2, it would be strange.

For the avoidance of doubt (as they say :) ) here's a link which makes things clear Octane Ratings
and one for if you get REALLY interested Octane Measurements

<small>[ October 19, 2003, 08:49 AM: Message edited by: IanL ]</small>
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Extra thick soundproofing in the boot (trunk) to quieten my stainless steel exhaust system :)
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by quicksliver »

Mine says 91 [(R+M)/2 method, 87]...therefore i use 91 octane.
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millionflame
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Re: Running a ZE on 87 octane?

Post by millionflame »

Originally posted by IanL:
However, if it says 91 (R+M)/2, it would be strange.
That's what it says.

I use 91. 87 wrecks the plugs and sounds really bad going up hills, I've found.

~A
~ Millionflame (94 GS 120K)
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