WF Gasoline?

Keith Burnett · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:18 am Post subject: WF Gasoline?

What is the best gasoline to run in the WF? Besides the premium unleaded pump gas. I have a place close enough that sells 110/CAM2.

Thanks.

John Matthews · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:23 pm Post subject:

Pump gas will work fine but if you really want race gas there's no reason to run 110 octane. I've run them on VP MS98 before, most tracks will spec what you have to run for races.

Drain the carb after you're done for the day, it'll help avoid problems.

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Keith Burnett · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2013 4:40 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I'll have to see if they have anything less than 110/CAM2. Thanks for the tip about draining the carb.

terry nash · Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 3

It has been my experience that the cheepest lowest octane fuel works very well for the w/f and animal classes running on gasoline-----On the dyno they perform better than if you use MS98 VP fuel. I understand that the spec fuel of VP MS98 is used because it can be teched-----no additives with oxygenators------Terry Nash

Keith Burnett · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2013 4:27 pm Post subject:

Interesting, thanks.

The WF Reference Guide states 98 Octane (RON) or 93 Octane (RON+MON)/2) pump gas. My local Sunoco has the 93.

George Vorrilas · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:33 pm Post subject: WF fuel

We have tried and tested many fuels. While pump gas works just fine, we prefer not to use it simply due to the ethanol in it, and consistency between vendors. VP MS98 works great and we are just now testing VP SEF 94 ( 4 stroke small engine fuel). While we have not raced with it yet ( due to the fact it's winter in the northeast ) we have run it WF's on our dyno. It as most specialty fuels is a bit pricey, but in the long run you wont be dealing with issues related to ethanol. Fortunately, the WF's are fuel misers and costs associated with running a quality product shouldn't break the bank.

George V.
ApexKartSports
www.ApexKart.com
978-479-7974

Keith Burnett · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 5:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info. I guess I need to do a bit more research on gasoline.

Thanks again for the help.

John Matthews · Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 8:20 am Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about doing a bunch of research on gasoline and the WF. You have at least three guys here that have built national quality motors and run them on their respective dynos.

Lower octane fuel ~92 will deliver the best performance but with a stock legal motor on a sprint track the difference will be negligible. For most racers the determining factor will be what their local track runs as "spec".

For sure ethanol is a bad thing, in the summer probably 45% of the repairs in my shop are fuel related but unless you let pump gas sit around it really shouldn't effect your WF. Just drain the carb and tank also if you're not going to be running for a few weeks. You can also use an additive like Startron to mitigate the issue or purchase marine or "rec" fuel with no ethanol in it.

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

Bernie Lacotta · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 168

George Vorrilas · Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 5:41 am Post subject: Pump fuel

If you do run pump fuel on a regular basis, consider purchasing an ultrasonic cleaner. We have a commercial quality one but I believe they are available at Harbor Freight or one of the discount supply houses and are very reasonable. Distilled water and Alconox powder ( available at medical supply house or on line) work just great at keeping carbs, fuel pumps clean as new. Always looking to try other solvents in it so if anyone has any suggestions, we would love to try them, thanks

George V.
ApexKartSports
www.apexkart.com
978-479-7974

Keith Burnett · Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:24 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the additional info. I'm learning alot and I really appreciate it.

So, I probably should have included more info in the my original post. We are just running SCCA Solo/Autocross this year, so there isn't a spec fuel.

My current motivation is to stay away from pump gas due to the enthanol.

Regarding the VP MS98 referenced here, is that the VP MS98L on the VP web site? Which is leaded gas?

George, how did the VP SEF 94 perform on the dyno?

Thanks again.

Bernie Lacotta · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 168

John Matthews · Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 11:57 am Post subject:

Cheapest and easiest is probably going to be marine fuel from your local marina if you are anywhere near water.

It's unlikely whatever differences any of us see on they dyno will make any difference running auto-x, or even sprint for that matter. We test to find the last .01 hp but driving and setup will make a far greater impact than fuel choice on a stock WF.

+1 on the ultrasonic, I have one big enough for the whole engine Very Happy

Cheers,
_________________
John Matthews
Heartbeat Power, LLC.

mike clements · Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject:

John, I'm getting my nephew into the WF class here in PHX. We'll be racing with Bernie pretty soon. I imagine it will take us a while to get up to speed where the fuel makes a difference in our finishing position. Cool

_________________
Began kart racing 1959. Made many friends along the way.

Jim Giannopoulos · Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 1:38 pm Post subject: WF

Mike,
Does this mean we'll see you at Firebird/ProAutoSports events too?
Jen's daughter, Savina is kicking butt at the road races!
Gino