Octane is a heat rating. The higher the octane the higher its flash point. Fuel has multiple purposes, mainly energy and cooling. You are correct that a higher octane fuel does NOT store more energy then say a 87, but modern engines can determine the spark curve / fuel volume it can run without knock, so a higher octane fuel can allow the computer to run more aggressively. Adding forced Air into the combustion chamber raises the compression making knock easier to achieve. More Air + more usable fuel = more power. So in our case with a turbo engine higher octane fuel will benefit performance. Paying 1 dollar extra per gallon for that performance is a choice.
Driving my 2012 NA Limited Explorer for years then switching to a 2016 turbo explorer i can feel the difference big time. The turbo engine fills in the sluggish points of the NA engine. The NA engine lacked power until 5000 rpm. The Turbo is making noticeable power everywhere. I can finally pass in 5th and 6th gear. The NA engine on the highway needed to be in 4th so it could live in its power band.
I know the vehicle is 5000 lbs but is the hesitation normal when you floor it?
I guess I was just expecting a little more as far as response but I'm not familiar with turbo tech and come from a background of driving smaller fast cars. I really dig the how it sounds at the stock level, though. Lots of potential here! Nevertheless, it was tough to walk away from it tonight and drive my POS Jeep home.
Soon...
My original point was directed towards a poster who said he felt a difference in his older IROC Z. There is, and never will be a performance gain on gasoline when stability is not critical.
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But, aftermarket tuners for NA engines also offers multiple tunes for different grade of fuel, so fuel type does make a difference
I always say that the most important car on the test drive is the one you drove up in, because the new car's characteristics will be amplified inasmuch as they're different from what you are used to.all I have to go by is my previous experience with lighter sports cars with 350's and Corvette transmissions. Just making sure to keep my expectations in check considering the weight of the vehicle or if it's actually an issue. One of my buddies calls it turbo lag.
The dealer could also have regular gas in the truck vs. the premium recommendation. Its not a huge difference but I feel the truck definitely runs better when I put premium in.
Tuscany - If you look at F150 shootouts in the mountains pulling trailers, It will surprise you with the response truck guys had testing the 2.3L turbo and the 3.5L. They were independently testing all the brands big v8s vs Ford. Bottom line Forced Induction on any engine can make that engine better. It can even make a small displacement engine perform better then a higher displacement NA engine.
I'm just kinda shocked the original poster didn't like the Explorer Sport. Compared to my Limited Explorer (that i still own) its amazing.
I'm just kinda shocked the original poster didn't like the Explorer Sport. Compared to my Limited Explorer (that i still own) its amazing.
Here's what I suggest. Void the Corvettes from your mind as much as you can. Go drive a Toyota Highlander, which is actually a very nice vehicle. I suggest it because it's a direct competitor to the Explorer that, in my opinion, has no soul, an overly soft suspension, and about 20% too little power.
Not at all and that's why I'm asking. I don't have any turbo experience and all I have to go by is my previous experience with lighter sports cars with 350's and Corvette transmissions. Just making sure to keep my expectations in check considering the weight of the vehicle or if it's actually an issue. One of my buddies calls it turbo lag.
Thanks for that, WJGreer. You summed it up very nicely and nailed it.
I guess this is pretty much what I was hoping to hear. The only problem is there really is no other body style & design that really grabs my attention. They're all kind of like... meh. Plus that sound of the turbo on the Sport really brought out my inner 20 yr old. Can't deny him that.
My latest BMW has been underwhelming and it's a lease ending in August.
Mine is a 2013 535. In terms of reliability, it's been excellent. Only one trip to the shop since August of 2013, because the computer forgot the date.I too drive a very underwhelming BMW sedan, LOL! My CPO warranty runs out in December, so I'm mulling over whether I want to keep it sans warranty protection. Good lord if I had been on the hook for all the repairs needed to my car over the past 3.5 years! The good news is most of the common issues with my car have been addressed; the bad news is there were ALOT of them!
Over on the BMW forums, this brand of extended warranty seems to be the most highly regarded. Maybe you want to go over to Bimmerfest and search on it. If I were considering a long-term BMW ownership, I would start here.I too drive a very underwhelming BMW sedan, LOL! My CPO warranty runs out in December, so I'm mulling over whether I want to keep it sans warranty protection. Good lord if I had been on the hook for all the repairs needed to my car over the past 3.5 years! The good news is most of the common issues with my car have been addressed; the bad news is there were ALOT of them!