I need some help finding an article or scientific proof on what the octane ratings for gas means. I know that the ratings are how resistant to detonation the gas is (87 being easier than 92 to detonate) but my know it all coworkers don't believe me. I explained everything but they just don't F**cking understand physics. They keep shoving the same crap in my face "It burns easier" and "Its better for your engine." BULL!! I'm hotter than hell right now. Just got done argueing and about killing one of these s**ts. Someone help.

 

this was brought up in my collage chemistry class. the higher the octane is the hotter the flashpoint is, the slower it burns, and the more energy it contains. the problem with higher octane is that it takes longer to burn, so you need to advance the timing, have well disinged heads with allot of quench and a high burn rate and have allot of overlap(I don't rember why I just rember you had to have allot) otherwis your exauast valves won't like you. the higher the octane is THE HARDER it is for it to burn

 

Yeah I already knew that but I need hard proof like an article or book about it. Maybe there is a website about this crap.

 

I'd try www.howstuffworks.com

 

anyone else????

 

The way octane is calculated is by using an average of two test ratings. Research and motor. They use different temps for air intake. They then use a special motor that they can change the ciompression ratio by effectivly changing the stroke on the fly. And its designed to knock.

They change the compression on the motor when its running with the various test fuel. By effectively tuning for max knock intensity, they determin the onset of detonation.

The ratio of iso-octane (which is 100 octane) to heptane (which has zero octane) is the effecfive octane rating. Part of this is out of the demon carbs book.. but there are other sources.