Shell Optimax! What's it all about.
24 January 2005, 11:12 PM
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Shell Optimax! What's it all about.
Be gentle guys!
I've been reading through a few posts and several have mentioned using Shell's Optimax fuel.
I've had MY98 for two years now and never used anything but unleaded (Tesco brand). I have a GReddy turbo boost fitted and trust/scoobysport decat believe the car runs out at somewhere near 280bhp
Does this optimax fuel make a noticable difference?
John
I've been reading through a few posts and several have mentioned using Shell's Optimax fuel.
I've had MY98 for two years now and never used anything but unleaded (Tesco brand). I have a GReddy turbo boost fitted and trust/scoobysport decat believe the car runs out at somewhere near 280bhp
Does this optimax fuel make a noticable difference?
John
24 January 2005, 11:17 PM
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Not in terms of power maybe, but heathier on the engine in terms of det.
I doubt you will have 280 with just a full decat. Whats a Greddy turbo boost? Presume you mean an electronic boost controller?
Fuelling is more critical on Jap imports. I believe it says on your fuel cap that 97 ron is required?
Having said that, I wouldn't touch supermarket fuel. There was a big debate a while ago, but I still maintain they dont use the additives that the majors use.
MB
I doubt you will have 280 with just a full decat. Whats a Greddy turbo boost? Presume you mean an electronic boost controller?
Fuelling is more critical on Jap imports. I believe it says on your fuel cap that 97 ron is required?
Having said that, I wouldn't touch supermarket fuel. There was a big debate a while ago, but I still maintain they dont use the additives that the majors use.
MB
25 January 2005, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Dark Blue Mark
Not in terms of power maybe, but heathier on the engine in terms of det.
I doubt you will have 280 with just a full decat. Whats a Greddy turbo boost? Presume you mean an electronic boost controller?
Fuelling is more critical on Jap imports. I believe it says on your fuel cap that 97 ron is required?
Having said that, I wouldn't touch supermarket fuel. There was a big debate a while ago, but I still maintain they dont use the additives that the majors use.
MB
I doubt you will have 280 with just a full decat. Whats a Greddy turbo boost? Presume you mean an electronic boost controller?
Fuelling is more critical on Jap imports. I believe it says on your fuel cap that 97 ron is required?
Having said that, I wouldn't touch supermarket fuel. There was a big debate a while ago, but I still maintain they dont use the additives that the majors use.
MB
1). Its not cost effective and actually will cost refinery more to halt process just to off load fuel with no additives, and is probably impossible due to the refinement processes used.
2). Ask a tanker driver or service station manager where the fuel comes from, you will be surprised.
Oh Tesco fuel comes from TOTAL refinery!
25 January 2005, 08:59 AM
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Moray, I work for one of the larger oil companies and know the score. Ive spoken to various contacts and the additives are added after road tanker loading.
It might come from the same place but it changes on the way to the pump. Im not gettng into this argument again, all the mappers have *seen* the gains to be had when using Optimax during mapping, and ive seen the knock difference between BP Ultimate and Optimax. Proof enough that the fuels are not one and the same.
MB
It might come from the same place but it changes on the way to the pump. Im not gettng into this argument again, all the mappers have *seen* the gains to be had when using Optimax during mapping, and ive seen the knock difference between BP Ultimate and Optimax. Proof enough that the fuels are not one and the same.
MB
25 January 2005, 03:04 PM
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Even with proof Mark, some people will still say supermarket fuel is just as good. I know that even when I use shell diesel is my astra td, there is a better punch and my mpg rises slightly. I won't use anything else other than shell, especially in my sti (optimax that is!)
Helped a neighbour out when his ford mondeo td started playing up. Took the motor to my local diesel centre, and they determined it to a bad batch of fuel. What a suprise when it turned out that it was from a Supermarket pump. The guy at the centre said to us that he has seen so many knackered diesel pumps which have been run a the stuff. He flushed the system through, did an ecu reset and filled it up with shell from across the road. No problem since.
And to some of you non-believers out there, just look at ferrari at the moment. When their engine development consists of around 50% of their R&D budget, the fuel they use is going to make a difference. Yes, shell use additives, but the fuel used in formula 1 must be close to that of road fuel, its in the rules!!!
Helped a neighbour out when his ford mondeo td started playing up. Took the motor to my local diesel centre, and they determined it to a bad batch of fuel. What a suprise when it turned out that it was from a Supermarket pump. The guy at the centre said to us that he has seen so many knackered diesel pumps which have been run a the stuff. He flushed the system through, did an ecu reset and filled it up with shell from across the road. No problem since.
And to some of you non-believers out there, just look at ferrari at the moment. When their engine development consists of around 50% of their R&D budget, the fuel they use is going to make a difference. Yes, shell use additives, but the fuel used in formula 1 must be close to that of road fuel, its in the rules!!!
25 January 2005, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by chrispurvis100
Even with proof Mark, some people will still say supermarket fuel is just as good. I know that even when I use shell diesel is my astra td, there is a better punch and my mpg rises slightly. I won't use anything else other than shell, especially in my sti (optimax that is!)
Helped a neighbour out when his ford mondeo td started playing up. Took the motor to my local diesel centre, and they determined it to a bad batch of fuel. What a suprise when it turned out that it was from a Supermarket pump. The guy at the centre said to us that he has seen so many knackered diesel pumps which have been run a the stuff. He flushed the system through, did an ecu reset and filled it up with shell from across the road. No problem since.
And to some of you non-believers out there, just look at ferrari at the moment. When their engine development consists of around 50% of their R&D budget, the fuel they use is going to make a difference. Yes, shell use additives, but the fuel used in formula 1 must be close to that of road fuel, its in the rules!!!
Helped a neighbour out when his ford mondeo td started playing up. Took the motor to my local diesel centre, and they determined it to a bad batch of fuel. What a suprise when it turned out that it was from a Supermarket pump. The guy at the centre said to us that he has seen so many knackered diesel pumps which have been run a the stuff. He flushed the system through, did an ecu reset and filled it up with shell from across the road. No problem since.
And to some of you non-believers out there, just look at ferrari at the moment. When their engine development consists of around 50% of their R&D budget, the fuel they use is going to make a difference. Yes, shell use additives, but the fuel used in formula 1 must be close to that of road fuel, its in the rules!!!
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25 January 2005, 03:50 PM
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"Sort of makes running your Scooby on 98 ron when 95 ron fine bull**** really!!!"
Not quite sure what you are trying to say??
Not quite sure what you are trying to say??
25 January 2005, 04:22 PM
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Chris, poor quality fuel is generally from contamination - this is the fault of the "petrol station" not to be confused with the quality of the product which was refined.
Bear in mind a number of them are franchises.
Again, the choice is yours but I wouldn't use it and never have. None of the top tuners on here would reccomend it either. I remember having to fill up my UK scoob with 95 from Texaco as Optimax wasn't availale, CEL came on and went into limp mode until it had retarded the ignition timing.
Sort of like the people who skimp on engine oil and other mods really
MB
Bear in mind a number of them are franchises.
Again, the choice is yours but I wouldn't use it and never have. None of the top tuners on here would reccomend it either. I remember having to fill up my UK scoob with 95 from Texaco as Optimax wasn't availale, CEL came on and went into limp mode until it had retarded the ignition timing.
Sort of like the people who skimp on engine oil and other mods really
MB
25 January 2005, 04:29 PM
#12
I've seen people post on here about using regular Super Unleaded over Optimax. I can't fathom the reason as Optimax has a higher octane rating and is cheaper (85.6p/l vs 89.9p/l for Esso SUL) in this area.
25 January 2005, 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Dark Blue Mark
PS - I dont work for Shell.
MB
MB
Ok, we believe you 
Agree totally though, only Optimax goes anywhere near mine. I think I'll also be happier when I get a knocklink!
Best,
25 January 2005, 04:52 PM
#15
PMSL ....I would have a heart attack if I run my Scooby on Tesco Branded Fuel. I had to once as I was stranded in the middle of no where...and I have never seen so many knock appear on my PowerFc...I would have sucked it out if I saw another petrol pump...
MY98 now pushing 320+bhp was once on 280bhp, though I had more mods to compensate such as a Powerfc, walbro fuel pump decat exhaust etc...
John, I suggest you invest in a Knock link, or something slimier to see what damage you are actually doing to your car, and you will find if you keep to the Unleaded Fuel, you won't have much of an engine left eventually...
Ps: no hard feelings from the above
....I would have a heart attack if I run my Scooby on Tesco Branded Fuel. I had to once as I was stranded in the middle of no where...and I have never seen so many knock appear on my PowerFc...I would have sucked it out if I saw another petrol pump... MY98 now pushing 320+bhp was once on 280bhp, though I had more mods to compensate such as a Powerfc, walbro fuel pump decat exhaust etc...
John, I suggest you invest in a Knock link, or something slimier to see what damage you are actually doing to your car, and you will find if you keep to the Unleaded Fuel, you won't have much of an engine left eventually...
Ps: no hard feelings from the above
25 January 2005, 07:47 PM
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Phew!
Thanks for all the posts guys, I can't say the message is conclusive maybe I should just suck it and see!
Good to see active debate
Cheers
John
Thanks for all the posts guys, I can't say the message is conclusive maybe I should just suck it and see!
Good to see active debate
Cheers
John
25 January 2005, 08:31 PM
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Its not possible to say which of the others is better. I imagine issues on Gurnsey are that the same batch of fuel can sit in the underground storage tanks for a long period of time? Some fuels degrade in quality quicker than others (optimax is suspected to have issues with degradation over time) although I dont know which is better for that.
MB
MB
25 January 2005, 11:32 PM
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There's a lot of Tesco reference in this thread. I didn't know they sold super unleaded, they certainly don't in Notts area [same with Asda and Morrison].
Only Sainsbury sell super out of the Supermarkets.
Optimax rules OK
Only Sainsbury sell super out of the Supermarkets.
Optimax rules OK
26 January 2005, 01:25 AM
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maybe I should just suck it and see!
Only Sainsbury sell super out of the Supermarkets
the additives are added after road tanker loading
Oh Tesco fuel comes from TOTAL refinery!
Does this optimax fuel make a noticable difference?
Last edited by kbsub; 26 January 2005 at 03:00 AM. Reason: spelling
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