Can a Subaru WRX run on 91 gas?

[TonyB]

I've got a GT. The first time I test drove it, the highly dodgy dealership had put 91 in it. I was somewhat underwhelmed. Runs heaps better on 96. And I think better again on 98.

Take my old Bluebird (no- please, take it). It has an ancient 2 valve engine, with no knock sensors etc. It was designed to run on 96- I found that out.... eventually. A mechanic managed to tune it so it would run on 91 without knocking, but it wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, so I ended up driving around with my foot waaaay down just to get it to move. Running on 96 it has heaps more power, so I put my foot down far less. SOOOooooo, it is more economical on higher octane fuel. I imagine your WRX will be the same.

I can drive my GT economically, just remember that if the thing is accelerating 'gently' it is putting out more power than my Bluebird will at full noise-therefore it is burning more fuel. Drive it like you've got an egg under your right foot and it'll be economical. Keep it off the boost.

[stanko]

If you want to save petrol in your car , here is a device that really works

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[bungbung]

I had a turbo legacy, it hated 91. On a warm day the ecu would reduce the available boost from 12psi down to 5psi. Stick with 96 or 98

[WRT]

I can drive my GT economically, just remember that if the thing is accelerating 'gently' it is putting out more power than my Bluebird will at full noise-therefore it is burning more fuel. Drive it like you've got an egg under your right foot and it'll be economical. Keep it off the boost.

I've got a GT-B. Thru trial and error, (dunno if the experts can prove it right or wrong, I'm just saying that this is what I have found) I find that I get better economy letting the boost come on, but on a very moderate throttle. The boost from stage one comes in around 2500rpm, but I am upshifting around 3500 to 3800rpm. BUT I am not planting the boot, I'm only pressing the throttle down far enough for the car to gently accelerate, not far enough for it to surge forward.

Seems to give you enough torque to get the 1460-odd kg rolling, without draining the tank in the process. I have never been a fan of shortshifting or changing up before boost comes on, I cant see it being good for the engine, and when I have tried keeping the car off boost, fuel economy actually suffered.

FWIW, I tend to run 98 (mobil - love eftpos at pump - no dealing with queues or "would you be interested in some of our specials?"), or 96 if I'm not near a station selling 98. Never tried 91, "its a high performance machine, so I have to run it on premium . . ." (yeah yeah, I know, no car v. bike flaming please, but bling for the first person to place the quote).

[onearmedbandit]

I've got a GT. The first time I test drove it, the highly dodgy dealership had put 91 in it. I was somewhat underwhelmed. Runs heaps better on 96. And I think better again on 98.

Oh really Tony, do you know after that sale they promoted the saesman to manager?

[TonyB]

Oh really Tony, do you know after that sale they promoted the saesman to manager?

See!? Just goes to show how dodgy they are! I mean, the guy never took his left hand out of his pocket....how rude is THAT??

I have never been a fan of shortshifting or changing up before boost comes on, I cant see it being good for the engine, and when I have tried keeping the car off boost, fuel economy actually suffered.

My bad- I didn't quite put it the right way- I do what you do, I still let it rev but I use the accelerator veeeery gently. So it's boosting, but not much. Still accelerates perfectly well but it seems slow because you know what it CAN do.

On a trip from Chch to Nelson and back through the Lewis the GT gave 10k/litre loaded up to the max. And that was with quite a few full noise overtaking manuvers- not gentle driving. I'm happy with that.

[Sniper]

See!? Just goes to show how dodgy they are! I mean, the guy never took his left hand out of his pocket....how rude is THAT??

Bet you he was fiddeling with himself and thinking of how to seduce you

[Fart]

You guys are right.

I am gonna keep running it on 96 or 98.

Cheers :-)

[TonyB]

Hmmm, if 91 is crap, 96 is OK, and 98 is good ..... then what would racing fuel be like. (kidding)

[WRT]

Hmmm, if 91 is crap, 96 is OK, and 98 is good ..... then what would racing fuel be like. (kidding)

It would be like, $2 per litre . . .

Mind you, wont be long before we pay that for 91 (already do on GBI).

[TonyB]

It would be like, $2 per litre . . .

Mind you, wont be long before we pay that for 91 (already do on GBI).

$1.751 last time I bought it (about 3 weeks ago). Must be over $1.80 now
God I love the smell of burnt racing fuel

[bungbung]

Hmmm, if 91 is crap, 96 is OK, and 98 is good ..... then what would racing fuel be like. (kidding)

It would be leaded. Your catalytic convertor would die.
Your car will smell like someone farting.

Don't stand behind my car.

[WRT]

$1.751 last time I bought it (about 3 weeks ago). Must be over $1.80 now
God I love the smell of burnt racing fuel

Cheap! Up here I pay $1.90 for it from a BP on the way to woodhill forest. Last time was about 2 weeks ago, so its probably round the $2 mark now . . . v. sucky . . .

[sir.pratt]

$2.10 for avgas now

[raster]

economy is actually better with the higher octane, get an extra 20-50Ks to a tank and the engine doesn't struggle so much.