Premium fuel - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

boatcop1 · 07-10-2008, 08:58 PM

is 91-93 octane fuel really needed in the Mach? if so why? where i am premium is about 4.55 or so. should it be this important in my decision making process to buy a Mach? Thanks

Mikestang · 07-10-2008, 09:18 PM

the motor is all aluminum and 10:1 to 1 compression
it needs the high octane and yes it could cause damage if you put lower octane fuel in the car

Azure Blurr · 07-10-2008, 09:19 PM

From what I've read on here recently.....YES!

KEVINC66 · 07-10-2008, 09:25 PM

Yea I agree,anytime the compression is at over 10:1,you would be stupid to put something less than what is required.Besides if you're gonna buy a Mach and expect to get high performance you have to expect to pay more than the average guy.I guess the next thread we'll have is do I really have to buy Z rated tires for my Mach,lol lol.I'm sorry I could'nt resist.

wiz_of_wuz · 07-10-2008, 09:26 PM

If 2-5 dollars per tank of gas is the determining factor you may not want to get a high performance car. The gas is required due to the compression of the motor. Just pull up to the pump and smile while you juice her up. Its all worth it......

MA-MACH1 · 07-10-2008, 10:06 PM

please feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I think we have fairly advanced knock sensors that retard the timing when needed.

Retarded timing = less bhp

I just ran a tank of regular (and DID hear occasional pinking) - just filled up with a tank of mid grade.

no difference on a slow (0-55mph and 4.5 mile) commute in mpg (just under 18mpg)

I've got some long freeway driving this weekend - normally I get around 25-27mpg - Ill post some results on Sunday night.

I would NOT recommend doing this for anything other than low speed, low accelaration driving. On the track use 91 min.

MA-MACH1 · 07-10-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEVINC66

Yea I agree,anytime the compression is at over 10:1,you would be stupid to put something less than what is required.Besides if you're gonna buy a Mach and expect to get high performance you have to expect to pay more than the average guy.I guess the next thread we'll have is do I really have to buy Z rated tires for my Mach,lol lol.I'm sorry I could'nt resist.

nope - W and Y rated may even be better...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35

rich1 · 07-10-2008, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatcop1

is 91-93 octane fuel really needed in the Mach? if so why? where i am premium is about 4.55 or so. should it be this important in my decision making process to buy a Mach? Thanks

Go buy a Focus.

.If 2 to 5 dollars is going to make or break you .And anytime you can hear the engine knocking ,the sensors did not back off the timing in time. So go ahead and run less than 91 gas and when the motor lets go see how much thats going to cost !

boatcop1 · 07-10-2008, 10:21 PM

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think my problem is comensurate with the problem with the market right now! People are scared to buy V8's because we just dont know what is going on with the market righ tnow. It may get great it may get worse! It's an expensive poker hand.

wcjr · 07-10-2008, 10:24 PM

seriously 2 maybe 3 dollars at the most per tank... pass on the mach to the OP, and get a KIA....

I get just as good of mileage in my mach as most mid size family cars....just got to be easy on them every now and then. i usually get 18-20 mpg which is mostly city driving...

boatcop1 · 07-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich1

Go buy a Focus.

.If 2 to 5 dollars is going to make or break you .And anytime you can hear the engine knocking ,the sensors did not back off the timing in time. So go ahead and run less than 91 gas and when the motor lets go see how much thats going to cost !

Thanks

MA-MACH1 · 07-10-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatcop1

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think my problem is comensurate with the problem with the market right now! People are scared to buy V8's because we just dont know what is going on with the market righ tnow. It may get great it may get worse! It's an expensive poker hand.

and hence V8s are cheap... it's all relative of course - gas here is about 1/2 price it is in Europe where you can still buy gas guzzling SUVs and V12 Mercedes.

I'd say buy and wtf...

bleedingfordblu · 07-10-2008, 11:36 PM

yeah it may suck when you buy gas but its f-ing sweet when you floor it

mach1 03 · 07-10-2008, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiz_of_wuz

If 2-5 dollars per tank of gas is the determining factor you may not want to get a high performance car. The gas is required due to the compression of the motor. Just pull up to the pump and smile while you juice her up. Its all worth it......

2k4mach · 07-10-2008, 11:43 PM

geezus not this again

Lord Umoja · 07-11-2008, 12:18 AM

Had a focus before the Mach. It took SUNOCO 94 octane fuel. I ran a 10.8:1 compression ratio on the motor along with big cams. I'm used to paying for premium. With prices I don't drive the car as much and ride my motorcycle more. I figure either gas prices will drop or some other liquid fuel will catch on and I'll convert the car over.

CBrowning84 · 07-11-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatcop1

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think my problem is comensurate with the problem with the market right now! People are scared to buy V8's because we just dont know what is going on with the market righ tnow. It may get great it may get worse! It's an expensive poker hand.

I'll see your 91 and raise you... crap I got a joker!

Machy uno · 07-11-2008, 09:27 AM

yes you do need the high octane as everyone else has said....the reason, the high compression. Why though...... The piston compresses the gas in the cylinder before sparking it and getting the power stroke. The higher number for compression (i.e. 9:1 as opposed to our 10:1) means the gas in the cylinder is being compressed more when the piston comes up. This compression of the gas drastically raises the temperature inside the piston....which is where the kind of gas you use comes into play. Lower octane fuel has a lower burn temperature, so if your compression is too much and the heat raises enough, you might actually ignite the fuel before the spark plug has a chance to! This is BAD, and it will tear apart your engine in no time. The higher octane fuel has a higher burn temp, which lets you compress it more. You might be able to get away with running cheap fuel, depending on the quality, the altitude you live at, and a numerous other things. Its not worth the chance though as only a few minutes of your engine running like this and it won't be good anymore, but YOU WILL KNOW if its running like that.

Uloset · 07-11-2008, 09:49 AM

Answer is Yes.

Its not so much the 10:1 compression as it is the tune of the car, remember their are tons of engines running around with 10:1 and over compression with regular fuel injection that run on 87 octane.

dlandry427 · 07-11-2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k4mach

geezus not this again

C'mon, give us an "uhhh nooooooo dan!" Please?

G · 07-11-2008, 10:13 AM

The dealer told me regular would be fine.

Dealers never lie to you.

dlandry427 · 07-11-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G

The dealer told me regular would be fine.

Dealers never lie to you.

EEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEER

2k4mach · 07-11-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlandry427

C'mon, give us an "uhhh nooooooo dan!" Please?

uhhhhhhhhh nooooooooooooooooooooo dannnnnnnnn

dlandry427 · 07-11-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2k4mach

uhhhhhhhhh nooooooooooooooooooooo dannnnnnnnn

That's the spirit! By the way, the Dow just dipped below 11,000. I think I will go to lunch now, maybe until Tuesday or Wed........

2k4mach · 07-11-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlandry427

That's the spirit! By the way, the Dow just dipped below 11,000. I think I will go to lunch now, maybe until Tuesday or Wed........

lol, my sisters in laws are headed over, i told them to stop and grab me some bean and cheese tacos

07-10-2008, 08:58 PM	#1
boatcop1 Guest Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 12	Premium fuel is 91-93 octane fuel really needed in the Mach? if so why? where i am premium is about 4.55 or so. should it be this important in my decision making process to buy a Mach? Thanks

07-10-2008, 09:18 PM	#2
Mikestang Parrot Head Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: H204D,NY AMERICA F YEA ! Posts: 4,894	Re: Premium fuel the motor is all aluminum and 10:1 to 1 compression it needs the high octane and yes it could cause damage if you put lower octane fuel in the car __________________ Mikestang 03 MACH1 Torch Red #274 Built 11/14/02 Home 12/07/02 Payed off 09/17/07 MRT powershift, W\Hurst T-handle, Painted hood stripe, AFS 10.5 and 9.0 Crome Mach 1Wheels, Ford GT Coil Covers. "If She had a set a wings, Man I know She could fly " 2011 Kona Blue Metalic Mustang GT Premium 5.0 Rolling on 19s "2011 Will Be Known As The Year They Perfected The Mustang " 06 Victory Kingpin With more mods than I can list http://home.roadrunner.com/~crazyhorse/

07-10-2008, 09:19 PM	#3
Azure Blurr I miss my friend Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 6,020	Re: Premium fuel From what I've read on here recently.....YES! __________________ “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward and freedom will be defended.” “We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail,” -George W. Bush

07-10-2008, 09:25 PM	#4
KEVINC66 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas Posts: 945	Re: Premium fuel Yea I agree,anytime the compression is at over 10:1,you would be stupid to put something less than what is required.Besides if you're gonna buy a Mach and expect to get high performance you have to expect to pay more than the average guy.I guess the next thread we'll have is do I really have to buy Z rated tires for my Mach,lol lol.I'm sorry I could'nt resist. __________________ 2000 GT vert,03 Mach1 engine,auto, shaker hood,Mach1 brakes,C&L CAI,K&N,Tokico D Spec,UPR Coilover K frame with Steeda front sway bar,rear upper and lower control arms,4.30's,FRPP aluminum DS,17x9 deep dish chrome Mach1 rims with 275x40x17 Fuzion Z1's,Mac Catbac with 3 1/2 chrome tips,honeycomb rear panel,front Mach1 chin spoiler,Mach1 grill delete kit,polished aluminum gas cap.

07-10-2008, 09:26 PM	#5
wiz_of_wuz chillin' by the Lake Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Holland,MI Posts: 502	Re: Premium fuel If 2-5 dollars per tank of gas is the determining factor you may not want to get a high performance car. The gas is required due to the compression of the motor. Just pull up to the pump and smile while you juice her up. Its all worth it...... __________________ "Hell Yes your Fast! You were hauling a$$ when i passed you!" B-Day 4/13/04 MRT H Mid with Cats Magnaflow Cat back Steeda Triax Shifter FRPP Aluminum Driveshaft FRPP 4:10 Rears http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...z/DSC05124.jpg

07-10-2008, 10:06 PM	#6
MA-MACH1 Thread Killer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Morrisville, NC Posts: 1,050	Re: Premium fuel please feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I think we have fairly advanced knock sensors that retard the timing when needed. Retarded timing = less bhp I just ran a tank of regular (and DID hear occasional pinking) - just filled up with a tank of mid grade. no difference on a slow (0-55mph and 4.5 mile) commute in mpg (just under 18mpg) I've got some long freeway driving this weekend - normally I get around 25-27mpg - Ill post some results on Sunday night. I would NOT recommend doing this for anything other than low speed, low accelaration driving. On the track use 91 min. __________________ 03 Mach 1 Torch Red 5 sp IUP 98 GT (long gone) Post killing skills - A+

07-10-2008, 10:21 PM	#9
boatcop1 Guest Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 12	Re: Premium fuel Thanks for all the feedback guys. I think my problem is comensurate with the problem with the market right now! People are scared to buy V8's because we just dont know what is going on with the market righ tnow. It may get great it may get worse! It's an expensive poker hand.

07-10-2008, 10:24 PM	#10
wcjr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 518	Re: Premium fuel seriously 2 maybe 3 dollars at the most per tank... pass on the mach to the OP, and get a KIA.... I get just as good of mileage in my mach as most mid size family cars....just got to be easy on them every now and then. i usually get 18-20 mpg which is mostly city driving...

07-10-2008, 11:36 PM	#13
bleedingfordblu Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 1,985	Re: Premium fuel yeah it may suck when you buy gas but its f-ing sweet when you floor it __________________ 2003 Azure Blue Mach 1 Stock bottom end/compression Eaton M112 Stock upper Stock lower K&N intake Built T56 Bassani mid length headers Bassani catted x pipe Bassani slash cut tip catback Stock 03 Cobra IRS 18x9/10 Forgestar F14 Tuned by Chris Macduff at IMA motorsports 429hp 407 tq @ 7.5 lbs of boost

07-10-2008, 11:43 PM	#15
2k4mach LuLz Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 19,294	Re: Premium fuel geezus not this again __________________ 11 Sterling gray GT500 coupe 08 Silver Z06 1058rwhp/1073rwt @ 15psi 14 Silver Q50S Vortech blown 04 DSG Mach 1 (stolen) 03 OW Mach 1 (sitting in a field rotting away)

07-11-2008, 12:18 AM	#16
Lord Umoja Established Lurker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Selinsgrove Pa Posts: 897	Re: Premium fuel Had a focus before the Mach. It took SUNOCO 94 octane fuel. I ran a 10.8:1 compression ratio on the motor along with big cams. I'm used to paying for premium. With prices I don't drive the car as much and ride my motorcycle more. I figure either gas prices will drop or some other liquid fuel will catch on and I'll convert the car over. __________________ My Rides '04 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 "Jennifer" Bassanni Catted X-Pipe, Catback, Hood Blackout, 315/35 BFG DR2s, AFS 17x10.5 Replicas, Professional Custom DiabloSport Tune, Stewart Warner UltraShift light, and XM Hardwire. 12.93 @ 107.24 '93 Nissan 240SX Convertible "Rei-Sen" Restored from Critically Damaged Frame, Lexus Pearl White Paint, Original Factory Tonneau

07-11-2008, 09:27 AM	#18
Machy uno Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: houston, texas Posts: 1,499	Re: Premium fuel yes you do need the high octane as everyone else has said....the reason, the high compression. Why though...... The piston compresses the gas in the cylinder before sparking it and getting the power stroke. The higher number for compression (i.e. 9:1 as opposed to our 10:1) means the gas in the cylinder is being compressed more when the piston comes up. This compression of the gas drastically raises the temperature inside the piston....which is where the kind of gas you use comes into play. Lower octane fuel has a lower burn temperature, so if your compression is too much and the heat raises enough, you might actually ignite the fuel before the spark plug has a chance to! This is BAD, and it will tear apart your engine in no time. The higher octane fuel has a higher burn temp, which lets you compress it more. You might be able to get away with running cheap fuel, depending on the quality, the altitude you live at, and a numerous other things. Its not worth the chance though as only a few minutes of your engine running like this and it won't be good anymore, but YOU WILL KNOW if its running like that. __________________ She was living in a single room with three other individuals. One of them was male and the other two, Well he!! the other two were females Gone but NOT FORGOTTEN http://www.cardomain.com/ride/330262

07-11-2008, 09:49 AM	#19
Uloset Fastest Mach 1 Somewhere Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 1,302	Re: Premium fuel Answer is Yes. Its not so much the 10:1 compression as it is the tune of the car, remember their are tons of engines running around with 10:1 and over compression with regular fuel injection that run on 87 octane. __________________ "It is not necessary to understand things in order to argue about them" I have a problem every time I pull up to some ricer a strange buzzing noise comes from behind me, any clue what it could be?

07-11-2008, 10:13 AM	#21
G Undocumented Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Enterprise, AL Posts: 15,828	Re: Premium fuel The dealer told me regular would be fine. Dealers never lie to you. __________________ _____________________________________________ 2003 Mach1 AB 5spd 2004 Mach1 TR 5spd (sold) 1933 Ford 3W Coupe (4.6 dohc Stack Injection) 2003 Cobra TR (sold) 2014 Mustang GT (Track Pack) in Black

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