Normal Unleaded or Super

[BANDIT500]

Just had a conversation with the TVR garage i bought my car Chimaera from and they stated the car will run on normal unleaded. IS THIS RIGHT???????

I thought all TVR's ran on Super only!

Cheers

Bandit

[chrischimaera]

I understand that 4 litre models can run on ordinary unleaded but all others need super unleaded

[gideonr]

I think the Rover V8 TVRs run on super unleaded only when they leave the factory, but they can have the timing adjusted to allow normal unleaded to be used. Perhaps the garage did this, explaining why they think it should run on normal.

Chimaera 400HC

[.mark]

Depends who you ask. I have tried my 4.0 on all types and, quite frankly, can't tell the difference apart from the size of the bill.
My dealer!? says they run all their cars on U/L.

[Steve _T]

The bible says that the 5L is more affected by running on normal unleaded than the other engine capacities. I've always run on super because of that recommendation, I've always run my 5L on super. Optimax is a god send, being a lot cheaper.

Cheers,

Steve

[beano1197]

Well, mine (5L) has run quite happily on "normal" unleaded, and my mechanic says he would always run them (any Rover V8) on normal unleaded.

On the occasions I have tried Super, I can honestly say I haven't noticed a jot of difference. Certainly nothing to be gained performance or economy wise, just that filling that tank has cost more!

As for which brand, I believe that the petrol on our local garage forecourts has only come from one of very few refineries. So basically it's all the same stuff.

Tell me I'm being naive!!

[pbrettle]

Mine is supposed to be unleaded only (94 Chimaera 4.0HC) but it has been de-tuned slightly to make unleaded a viable option. But, do be aware that it is very easy to tell the diffence between super and unleaded - much smoother, higher fuel economy and much easier to drive in traffic....

But, the difference is relatively small and I tend to adopt a policy of trying to use super as much as possible. So end up with something like 2 unleaded and 1 super.... Tend to use this policy for my other petrol cars anyway...

Cheers,

Paul

[shpub]

Yes the car will run on unleaded fuel but it may or may not need some adjustment which can range from an ignition timing to a rechip depending on the car and what TVR did to the engine. There are two issues with unleaded and the number of people that mix these up is very big indeed. ALL V8 TVRS can run unleaded fuel in that they have hardened valve seats and that they do not need a lead additive. THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO RUN U/L !

The reason is that Premium U/L has a lower octane than super and to run this without pinking will require some engine tinkering. Can actually involve rechipping in some cases and yes 500s are probably the worst affected.

There is a unleaded FAQ on my website that goes into the details.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[shpub]

I forgot to add was...

So when you ask can my car run U/L and get the reply Yes, it may mean that they are referring to the valve seat issue and not the timing one. The question you should ask is:

Has my car been modified to run on 95 octane fuel without pinking?

The only way to find out is to try it and it may take a couple of tanks to flush out the higher octane stuff.

Steve

[BANDIT500]

Thanks everyone,

Will try the unleaded and see if the pinking occurs

Bandit