Leaded race gas?

AndyR83 · 09-20-2013, 11:49 PM

I'm out of town visiting family this weekend, and I just happened to notice that the gas station near my parents sells leaded 110 octane fuel. It's a Sunoco station, so I'm assuming this is CAM-2 or an equivalent. I have an N54 335i with a JB4, cat less downpipes (though I believe my secondary cats are intact) and all the other normal performance mods. What would happen if I used this fuel? I've heard it's bad for catalytic converters and O2 sensors. Is that effect only seen over time, or will there be short term repercussions if I were to try it once? Just wondering if this would do any damage if I gave it a try this once.

AWil335i · 09-21-2013, 12:09 AM

I'd GUESS a few gallons isn't going to destroy anything.... but i'm sure over time you'll ruin the o2s and cats. Sounds like you're already made up your mind, so put a few gallons in and enjoy Map 7. When you're done just put some more gas in and go back to normal.

Allen@MOTIV · 09-21-2013, 12:11 AM

I strongly recommend against using it. The effects on both O2 sensors and catalytic converters can be immediate. If you're interested in racegas I suggest finding the nearest VP fuels distributor and order unleaded racegas, like MS109, through them.

Javier · 09-21-2013, 01:41 AM

i use Sunoco 260 GT+ all the time. 104 Oct unleaded
car runs great

DriftDreamzSS · 09-21-2013, 01:51 AM

Ive ran 110 octane leaded race fuel on other cars before just for track days and noticed no harmful effects to my innovate wideband O2 but I dont think I would chance it on my 335i.

Stucks · 09-21-2013, 04:27 AM

Stay away from leaded race fuel on the n54. I've read that injectors on direct injection cars dont like leaded fuels, plus the cars sensitive o2 sensors = no go. 100 octane or 104 octane would be fine though. even e85 mixed with 93 is fine. shell urt makes some unleaded 110 octane or something along those lines i think?

JamesM3M5 · 09-21-2013, 08:31 AM

Not sure about the injectors, but lead will foul a cat very rapidly. O2 sensors, both wideband and narrow will foul out more slowly, more like 50-100 hours of running, depending on how much lead is in the fuel.

AndyR83 · 09-21-2013, 11:13 AM

Sounds like it's not worth the hassle. Thank you very much for helping me avoid a headache!

09-20-2013, 11:49 PM	#1
AndyR83 Major 65 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: E92 335i FBO Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (5)	Leaded race gas? I'm out of town visiting family this weekend, and I just happened to notice that the gas station near my parents sells leaded 110 octane fuel. It's a Sunoco station, so I'm assuming this is CAM-2 or an equivalent. I have an N54 335i with a JB4, cat less downpipes (though I believe my secondary cats are intact) and all the other normal performance mods. What would happen if I used this fuel? I've heard it's bad for catalytic converters and O2 sensors. Is that effect only seen over time, or will there be short term repercussions if I were to try it once? Just wondering if this would do any damage if I gave it a try this once. __________________ Do NOT do business with IAN HAAN, aka n54bewst, aka 747tuned aka H17M3, a scammer who STILL has an account here on e90post!
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09-21-2013, 12:09 AM	#2
AWil335i Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 281 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 335i [0.00]	I'd GUESS a few gallons isn't going to destroy anything.... but i'm sure over time you'll ruin the o2s and cats. Sounds like you're already made up your mind, so put a few gallons in and enjoy Map 7. When you're done just put some more gas in and go back to normal. __________________ 07 E92 335I \| JB4 G5 ISO \| BMS E85 Flash \| DCI \| BMS DPs \| Helix FMIC \| Alpina TCU Flash \| Walbro GLS392 \| E70 \| 429rwhp/474rwtq \|
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09-21-2013, 12:11 AM	#3
Allen@MOTIV 38 Rep 634 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I strongly recommend against using it. The effects on both O2 sensors and catalytic converters can be immediate. If you're interested in racegas I suggest finding the nearest VP fuels distributor and order unleaded racegas, like MS109, through them.
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09-21-2013, 01:41 AM	#4
Javier Major 89 Rep 1,109 Posts Drives: 335i E92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Puerto Rico iTrader: (0)	i use Sunoco 260 GT+ all the time. 104 Oct unleaded car runs great __________________ 2007 328i Crimson Red SOLD 2010 335i MSport AW E92
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09-21-2013, 01:51 AM	#5
DriftDreamzSS Captain 22 Rep 627 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oxnard, Ca / Lafayette, LA iTrader: (2)	Ive ran 110 octane leaded race fuel on other cars before just for track days and noticed no harmful effects to my innovate wideband O2 but I dont think I would chance it on my 335i. __________________ _
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09-21-2013, 04:27 AM	#6
Stucks Lieutenant Colonel 180 Rep 1,911 Posts Drives: 2017 F30 340i Xdrive Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Montgomery County, MD iTrader: (12)	Stay away from leaded race fuel on the n54. I've read that injectors on direct injection cars dont like leaded fuels, plus the cars sensitive o2 sensors = no go. 100 octane or 104 octane would be fine though. even e85 mixed with 93 is fine. shell urt makes some unleaded 110 octane or something along those lines i think? __________________ Current: 2017 F30 340i xdrive Previous: 2008 e92 335i coupe: RB turbos, mach 116 race fuel, methanol, alot of boost. Previous: 2003 Honda Accord V6 coupe: AEM V2, zex 75 wet shot (sold)
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09-21-2013, 08:31 AM	#7
JamesM3M5 Some dude 92 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Not sure about the injectors, but lead will foul a cat very rapidly. O2 sensors, both wideband and narrow will foul out more slowly, more like 50-100 hours of running, depending on how much lead is in the fuel. __________________ RRT E92 335i/6MT with stuff and things
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09-21-2013, 11:13 AM	#8
AndyR83 Major 65 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: E92 335i FBO Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (5)	Sounds like it's not worth the hassle. Thank you very much for helping me avoid a headache!
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