Best fuel for a PI 6

[Ernest]

Hi

 

Just returned to TR ownership with a 6 bought from TR Bitz (seemed to be a really good company to deal with - mind you have found this is generally the case with TR specialists) and am not sure what fuel best to use, especially during the winter when not being used very much (one per month ish).

 

Mine is a 150 bhp 1972 PI with head prepared to run on unleaded. So I am assuming the better grade petrol but wasn't sure if I should still, occasionally use an additive. I was once told by a leading TR restorer that even with the unleaded head use of additive on occasion would be recommended.

 

In the old days with 101 octane, a squirt of Redex was still added from time to time.

 

Any advice would be welcome and a product recommendation would be useful.

 

Best Wishes

Ernest

[barkerwilliams]

Ernest,

 

By choice I use Shell V Power. If necessary I use other brands premium, in truth I can't tell the difference. However on the odd occasion I have been obliged to use standard unleaded and the car (PI) has objected and ran roughly. Perhaps if I altered the ignition timing I could get it to run better on standard unleaded petrol.

 

I have never found the need to resort to additives, even after a couple of months standing over the winter the car starts readily.

 

Also I have never fancied breathing in the fumes from some of the additives. Fumes are of course mandatory with the hood down on a TR6.

 

 

Alan

[TR5tar]

I also favour Shell V-Power in my 5. Works well for me.

 

Cheers, Darren

Edited December 3, 2017 by TR5tar

[JohnG]

Always used Esso Synergy from choice

No ethanol in the SE, East Anglia.

Use it neat, straight from the pump, nothing added, nothing taken away.

 

Ethanol is added in some UK regions, forumites more informed than me can confirm where.

 

Shell V Power as a back up

Edited December 1, 2017 by wjgco

[mike3739]

Never used additives in sixteen years of ownership & 40,000 miles. Usually Tesco or Esso, I have tried Shell V- Max no real difference & I drive it hard

 

I think it depends on your cars set up to what fuel works best

 

Cheers

 

Mike

[john.r.davies]

I build my engines to a theoretical CR of 10.5, which is on the edge of permanent pinking.

And the last I started on some over-wintered petrol - it pinked like mad!

Fearing disaster - or miscalculation - I filled up with V-power, and the noise went away!

 

So drain all but a litre or two from your tank for the winter, and add some "fuel stabiliser" - I use Brigg & Stratton's "Fuel Fit" - before running the engine and the mixture through the system.

 

As you can imagine, I always use V-power, but like Alan or, wgjco, I'd use another's premium fuel in case of need, but carry a can of octane boost when going to Le Mans.

 

John

[Guest ntc]

Never used additives in sixteen years of ownership & 40,000 miles. Usually Tesco or Esso, I have tried Shell V- Max no real difference & I drive it hard

 

I think it depends on your cars set up to what fuel works best

 

Cheers

 

Mike

+1 never add nowt and petrol is petrol.

[Alan Gill]

I always use premium where available otherwise its regular petrol. I do not use any additives. Car starts and performs fine, even after being stationary for a month or so....> Alan G

[Steves_TR6]

As above, shell v power nitro

 

I have found that occasional Redex treatment does seem to improve smoothness/responsiveness by clearing out deposits.

Redex does not improve octane/performance, it cleans things out which is good for the pi system, especially if the car has been sitting.

 

Steve

[Nigel Triumph]

Shell V-Power is good as has been said, or Tesco Momentum which is also 99 octane and cheaper. No additives necessary.

 

The usual so called super unleaded at 97 octane isn't good enough and causes my '6 to pink a little. Okay, I could retard the ignition to get over the pinking but who wants to lose power and performance...

 

 

Nigel

[Guest ntc]

You loose nothing in power add snake oil and goodbye mu/prv and injectors, just change the fuel or use it.

[barkerwilliams]

Neil,

 

Are saying fuel octane rating is irrelevant?

 

 

Confused by your comment,

 

Alan

[pfenlon]

Hi

 

Just returned to TR ownership with a 6 bought from TR Bitz (seemed to be a really good company to deal with - mind you have found this is generally the case with TR specialists) and am not sure what fuel best to use, especially during the winter when not being used very much (one per month ish).

 

Mine is a 150 bhp 1972 PI with head prepared to run on unleaded. So I am assuming the better grade petrol but wasn't sure if I should still, occasionally use an additive. I was once told by a leading TR restorer that even with the unleaded head use of additive on occasion would be recommended.

 

In the old days with 101 octane, a squirt of Redex was still added from time to time.

 

Any advice would be welcome and a product recommendation would be useful.

 

Best Wishes

Ernest

I know Craig at TR bits very well, if special fuel was needed he would have pointed it out.

 

Bitz are a very good, no, an excellent company.

[Nigel Triumph]

You loose nothing in power add snake oil and goodbye mu/prv and injectors, just change the fuel or use it.

Neil,

 

I'm confused like Alan. Surely retarding the ignition timing to prevent lower octane fuel causing pinking reduces power. It certainly feels like that with my CP-series TR6. 99 octane Shell or Tesco keep my '6 running sweet.

 

 

Nigel

[PodOne]

Always been a advocate of Shell V power in all the performance motors I've built and run as it seems to resist det better than anything else.

 

Never use additives and I'm not sure that even running on unleaded petrol on a unmodded head would make much impact if your only doing 3-4k/year.

 

Might be better in winter to keep a full tank of decent fuel.

[mike3739]

 

Might be better in winter to keep a full tank of decent fuel.

That is a real no no, modern fuels go off!

 

Cheers

 

Mike

[Mike C]

I use 98 octane without ethanol. Low tank level and fuel stabilizer over winter, refill tank with fresh fuel using jerry cans for the spring start up.

[PodOne]

That is a real no no, modern fuels go off!

 

Cheers

 

Mike

Can't say I've ever had an issue with this as long as you go for a decent run ie use half a tank and refill once a month over the winter plus it stops corrosion and sediment getting into the fuel system.

[JohnG]

Always been a advocate of Shell V power in all the performance motors I've built and run as it seems to resist det better than anything else.

 

Never use additives and I'm not sure that even running on unleaded petrol on a unmodded head would make much impact if your only doing 3-4k/year.

 

Might be better in winter to keep a full tank of decent fuel.

That is a real no no, modern fuels go off!

 

Cheers

 

Mike

Mike is right

Modern unleaded decays quickly, if left static, just 3 or so weeks will cause it to deteriorate.

 

Keeping the tank full is fine, if you use the fuel

Regular usage and topping up will do the job, but, you need to be using a goodly proportion of the fuel in a 10 to 14 day period.

 

This way, degradation of the fuel is minimised and the presence of the fuel protects the inside of the system

Edited December 1, 2017 by wjgco

[saffrontr]

Never had a problem with Tesco Momentum, TR normally sits dormant most of the winter with just the occasional start up and certainly had no issues with stale petrol or indeed a nearly empty tank. I would add that it starts up after only a couple of seconds even after a few months.

 

cheers

 

Derek

[Ernest]

Hi

 

Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread.

I am now better informed and also reassured.

 

Best Wishes

Ernest

[Denis]

My 69 CP Pi with standard head runs well on Shell V Power + Nitro since Neil Fergusson refurbed my M/U and I fitted new injectors.

Edited December 2, 2017 by Denis

[DRD]

Never had a problem with Tesco Momentum, TR normally sits dormant most of the winter with just the occasional start up and certainly had no issues with stale petrol or indeed a nearly empty tank. I would add that it starts up after only a couple of seconds even after a few months.

 

cheers

 

Derek

Hasn't that got a high level of ethanol in it?

[astontr6]

Never had a problem with Tesco Momentum, TR normally sits dormant most of the winter with just the occasional start up and certainly had no issues with stale petrol or indeed a nearly empty tank. I would add that it starts up after only a couple of seconds even after a few months.

 

cheers

 

Derek

+1 for Derek. The only point to remember about modern fuel is that it is extremely aggressive on the seals and fuel hoses. I had recently to re-new my M/U because of this.

 

Bruce

[stephen cooper]

In my experience there is a distinct difference between 95 and 99 octane and all Triumph 6 cylinders that Ive owned were set up for the higher octane fuel. Using normal unleaded would cause pinking without question.

 

If youre running one on 95 without any pinking then the timing is probably retarded as the car was designed for 101.

 

Use 99 and get it set up to utilise the better fuel if you want best performance.