www.iFourWinns.com

What fuel octane level are you guys running? I know in my old boat I always ran mid grade as it was recommended. I have been running premium in the new boat becasue I am unsure what they recommend. What do you guys run? Oh I have a 5.0L GXI VP.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

87 for me. No complaints about performance from me.

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Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

My manual specifies 87, and that's all I use assuming it's available. Lots of marinas still only have 88 or 89 since most boats needed it for so many years.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Good to hear you guys are using 87 with no problems. With the price of gas these days glade I can get away with the cheaper stuff.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

I was told at the dealer that the owners manuel suggests using 87 for my engine but that due to the ethanol levels in our gas 89 is now recommended. I am guessing that 87 would be fine and I will have to give it a try and see how she runs.

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2007 H210
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LT

I think I am going to run mid-grade just to be on the safe side. Thanks for the info guys.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

My dealer told me to run mid grade. With that said, I have run 87 ONLY with no trouble. The reality is that these days, the electronics control timing and such and can often times compensate for lack of higher octane fuel, as long as its a steady diet. Meaning...dont do 87, then 92, then 89 and rotate. Pick an octane and stick with it.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

87 all day long for me. Always buy from QT. High traffic, guaranteed gasoline. No mom & pop fuel stations.

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H210SS 6.2
F150 Platinum

Brent is probably on to something here. I buy mine 90% of the time at 7-11 on my way to or from the ramp. I like to put her away full so I know if I jump in her next trip, she is full. Sometimes I break that rule a little though....

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

The VP manual says 87 is fine, but indicates with fuel injection better perfomance can be had with higher octane fuels. This surprised me, as my understanding is that the higher octane is to reduce engine knocking, that there isn't more "potential fuel power" to be had from higher octane levels. Of course, these days, with fuel additives like nitrogen and ethanol, who knows? I have heard that the new cheaper alternative fuels do have significantly less "potential fuel power" to them.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

It's always a good idea to get the fuel from a place that has high turnover. That way you're less likely to get fuel that's been sitting. Especially with ethanol, the longer it sits the more likely it is to get water in it or separate.

There's also NO point in using premium unless your engine requires it. The modern fuel grades are designed to affect the burn rate and really have nothing to do with the amount of power being generated. You do nothing other than waste your money using a higher than necessary grade of gas. Premium will offer no advantages in an engine that doesn't need it. NONE. Not in boat, car or truck.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I'm a money waster on boat gas I guess. I've always put 93 in it or 91 if I can't find 93. I always thought higher octane meant higher potential for better performance especially in a marine engine application. Shows what I know.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

Word for word, this is what my VP manual says:

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

I don't buy from QT (Personal reason/experience). I typically fill up at a convenient/high traffic Phillips or BP on the way to the lake... this way, I'm not carrying the extra weight, and my passengers are more likely to chip in for gas! Again, 87 octane, but my 6.2 doesn't have the high compression ratio that the 350 mag has, so less difference would be noticed.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

87 octane for me