I found a local Sunoco Gas station that sells 110 octane race fuel, but it is leaded. How would it affect the engine if I ran leaded fuel? What differences are there b/w unleaded and leaded?
The old muscle cars, without cats and smog stuff, ran on leaded gas.
I wasn't around back then, showing my age, but I think I heard once it has something to do with how much timing you run.
"Since 31 December 1995 it has been illegal to sell for use in on-road vehicles any gasoline which contains lead or lead additives. (But in 1999 leaded gasoline still is produced in the U.S. and is being used in nonroad vehicles-- primarily as aviation fuel, but also in farm machinery and race cars.) "
Maybe some 'older' guys can help us out (j/k guys)
Race gas is just for that. The additional of lead adds to the octane and helps lubricate and cool combustion chambers allowing a racer to add (or keep) additional timing, but as stated above is really hard on sensors and converters. Save it for the odd jaunt to the track unless you like replacing parts and failing emissions testing. And even then, unless you’re running a power adder, a tank full of 110-octane fuel is waaay overkill for all but the most serious engine combinations. You couldn’t run enough timing on a stock engine to even justify its presence.
That being said, mixing a little with your stock 91-octane has its advantages. None of which will make themselves apparent unless you add some advanced ignition timing to the mix.
I don't plan on using it for for daily use. Its basically for my drag car on race day or dyno tuning for max power.
The reason I asked was because most of the race fuels I have seen are leaded, so I figured it wasn't a problem race wise. But just like many of you have said, not good for daily use.