The Inconvenience of Race Gas . . .
Posted: 05:18 pm Jun 23 2008
. . . has got me thinkin' of alternatives. Not for day-in, day-out purposes, but for events like the Hatfield and McCoy trip we're making next month.
I've got the race-gas version of Ron's mods which requires at least some race gas. I presently run a 2:1 mix (Renegade 110 : premium pump) which gives me somewhere's around 105 octane or so. Fine and dandy for the vast majority of the riding we do . . . but when we go on that trip next month, I'll run into a situation where I can get the premium pump (at a town 35 miles away from the original destination) but not necessarily the race gas. Meaning that I risk running out of fuel for a round trip - or I run gas that isn't suited for the engine work.
So here's my alternatives as I see it (suggest others if they come to mind, maybe you've had a similar problem):
1. Start out with 100% race gas. When I top off my tank in the town away from home base I'll still have something like a 1/2 tank or so and end up with a 50/50 mix which should be fine. I'm wondering about how performance might change.
2. Buy a larger tank. I like the Clarke tank at 3.6 gal or so but I'm not crazy about the looks of the IMS (yes, I CAN be vain). $200 (unless someone's got one for sale - but still not cheap). I'd probably be OK for mileage on this tank.
3. Buy one of the smaller tanks that fits in place of the front number plate. Cheaper at about $70 and it'll hold almost a gallon. I could fill it with race gas and mix with premium pump.
4. Carry a relatively small quantity of octane booster and "enhance" the premium pump when necessary. Here's what Klotz offers, and less than a quart would be good for up to 2 gallons of the premium pump:
. . . and the description . . . Klotz® HiTRATE® Racing Gasoline Concentrate is designed for use in all racing engine applications. Klotz® racing technology converts hi-test pump gasoline into High Octane Racing Gasoline . . . Mix at a ratio of 9:1 with 93 Octane Pump Gasoline to make 103-105 High Octane Racing Gasoline (final octane rating will depend on the quality of your pump gas)
There's one more option and that is to bolt on a stock head I have tucked away . . . NOT!! That's my biggest problem - I'm unwilling to give up the performance the head offers.
Your tips, suggestions, wisecracks, and wisdom are all appreciated . . .
I've got the race-gas version of Ron's mods which requires at least some race gas. I presently run a 2:1 mix (Renegade 110 : premium pump) which gives me somewhere's around 105 octane or so. Fine and dandy for the vast majority of the riding we do . . . but when we go on that trip next month, I'll run into a situation where I can get the premium pump (at a town 35 miles away from the original destination) but not necessarily the race gas. Meaning that I risk running out of fuel for a round trip - or I run gas that isn't suited for the engine work.
So here's my alternatives as I see it (suggest others if they come to mind, maybe you've had a similar problem):
1. Start out with 100% race gas. When I top off my tank in the town away from home base I'll still have something like a 1/2 tank or so and end up with a 50/50 mix which should be fine. I'm wondering about how performance might change.
2. Buy a larger tank. I like the Clarke tank at 3.6 gal or so but I'm not crazy about the looks of the IMS (yes, I CAN be vain). $200 (unless someone's got one for sale - but still not cheap). I'd probably be OK for mileage on this tank.
3. Buy one of the smaller tanks that fits in place of the front number plate. Cheaper at about $70 and it'll hold almost a gallon. I could fill it with race gas and mix with premium pump.
4. Carry a relatively small quantity of octane booster and "enhance" the premium pump when necessary. Here's what Klotz offers, and less than a quart would be good for up to 2 gallons of the premium pump:
. . . and the description . . . Klotz® HiTRATE® Racing Gasoline Concentrate is designed for use in all racing engine applications. Klotz® racing technology converts hi-test pump gasoline into High Octane Racing Gasoline . . . Mix at a ratio of 9:1 with 93 Octane Pump Gasoline to make 103-105 High Octane Racing Gasoline (final octane rating will depend on the quality of your pump gas)
There's one more option and that is to bolt on a stock head I have tucked away . . . NOT!! That's my biggest problem - I'm unwilling to give up the performance the head offers.
Your tips, suggestions, wisecracks, and wisdom are all appreciated . . .