Which PULP to use? Vortex or Optimax

I know this question have been asked many times already, but a search on this topic didnt yield much response.

I have drive a 98 Prelude VTIR that is pretty much stock apart from a MUGEN catback exhaust. I am pretty much after fuel economy as opposed to performance.

Where i live i am pretty much restricted to either Caltex/Woolworths of Shell. I do my groceries at Woolies so i am leaning towards Caltex fuel.

The options in PULP are
*Votex 95 RON
*Vortex 98 RON
*Shell Optimax

I *may* be able to get BP Ultimate, but its a fair drive away so for this threads purposes, i am asking about Vortex versus Optimax.


Thanks

if i was to choose between Vortex or Optimax... i'll pick Vortex 98 and any other fuel over optimax.

Optimax has additive to make it 98ron

I prefer to use BP Ultimate, but my second choise is Vortex 98.
So personally i'd say go with the Vortex 98.

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Originally Posted by Felix

I prefer to use BP Ultimate, but my second choise is Vortex 98.
So personally i'd say go with the Vortex 98.

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Would it be bad to mix fuels?
I would most probably use Vortex 98 while in Canberra and Ultimate when in Sydney.

Does vortex have any cleaning agents or additives like Optimax?

I was using Ultimate all the time, but for some reason it disappeared from local servos (It's back now however) - for the meantime I used Vortex 98, and didn't notice any real difference between the two, in fact I think I got slightly better economy out of Vortex 98.

I'll be putting Ultimate in again now that it's back, just wish you could get a discount on it like Vortex (from woolworths caltex 4c/ltr off)

EDIT: and i've heard rumours that there will be a 100RON vortex released soon :D

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Originally Posted by jaffa_cree

Would it be bad to mix fuels?

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From personal experience - its NOT BAD to mix fuels, but it does affect economy and performance if fuels are mixed. I use BP ultimate 90% of the time. I only use Vortex 98 when i'm running low and not near a BP.. I find if i mix them my car lacks a bit of power, untill i run the tank down low and fill it back up with BP ultimate again.
I dont notice any performance or economy difference between Ultimate and Vortex 98. I did however notice a slight lack of power when i was useing optimax .

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Originally Posted by Menthu Rae

I was using Ultimate all the time, but for some reason it disappeared from local servos (It's back now however)

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I can answer this one. The catylitic reformer at the Perth plant broke down, and I believe that all of Australia's BP Ultimate is made here. There was a big fuss amongst perfromance car enthuisists in Perth, as BP Ultimate is the ONLY 98RON fuel we get, and many people have their cars tuned for 98RON fuel. (Once it ran out at our local servos, we found the trick was to drive to ghetto suburbs where they're too poor to afford Ultimate and fill up there :P :D) I've been told that we only get BP Ultimate because trucking Optimax and the like over from the eastern states would make the cost of it insane - whether this is true or not I'm not sure.

I use BP Ultimate 98 exclusivly in my car, and 99% of the time chuck in a bottle of Wynns Race Formula Octane Booster too - I just chuck it on the fuel card :D

Between Shell Optimax and Vortex98, I choose Vortex98. Shell Optimax has its bad days and I've experienced the engine retarding the ignition during hot weather with Optimax. No such occurrances with Vortex98. Ultimate is good as well, but not a big difference from Vortex98 that would cause me to stick religiously to Ultimate. I too find that Vortex98 gives better fuel consumption over Optimax and Ultimate. Not much difference, about a 30-40km difference per 55L refill (65L tank, I run til the light comes on at about 10L).

hey guys,

I dont hear you guys mentioning Mobil S8000 RON98. My car only ever uses Mobil but every once in a while BP Ultimate goes in just because i'm running low. I've never trusted Vortex98 or should i say never trusted Woolies/Safeway Petrol, And like hell would i put optimax in my car. I was talking to a mate of mine at work and they did some independent Research on all the fuel brand, I'll have to find that artical. Anyways BP and Mobil came out on top, Then Caltex/Woolies/Safeway and Liberty (with Boost 98) came second leaving shell to be the poor performer. I think this was university study so all tests were conducted in a lab. But never the less we've all got our own opinion on which fuels to use on each of our cars. Me I use Mobil S8000 or BP Ultimate.

All you can test for in the lab is the octane number. And that doesn't show the quality of the components in the fuel. Vortex98 is sold by Caltex here. No woolies/safeway petrol stations around my area.

Mobil8000 is ok too. I put it at the same level as Ultimate. But to me, and to my car, Vortex98 gives slightly better fuel consumption and a smoother engine. Mobil8000 and Ultimate also runs smoothly in my car, but the fuel consumption is similar to that of Optimax. Optimax runs rough in my car. Not too good.... eventhough my car is tuned for only 95 octane!

I am always using Vortex 95 from woolies...From the sound of you guys, i will try out Vortex 98 or BP ultimate

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Originally Posted by shallot

I am always using Vortex 95 from woolies...

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Vortex 95? Never heard of that one before, thought it was just ULP and thats it.

Oh oh wait, thats that new one thats in between ULP 91 and Vortex 98 when they pulled out Leaded petrol right?

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Originally Posted by Xplodin

Vortex 95? Never heard of that one before, thought it was just ULP and thats it.

Oh oh wait, thats that new one thats in between ULP 91 and Vortex 98 when they pulled out Leaded petrol right?

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In Sydney, there was ULP, Vortex and leaded. Then Vortex98 came out and replaced the leaded nozzle. Now it is ULP, Vortex and Vortex98.

Vortex has a green label, Vortex98 has a grey label.

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Originally Posted by Menthu Rae

EDIT: and i've heard rumours that there will be a 100RON vortex released soon :D

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iv seen 100RON at a servo already cant remember where but 100% positive i saw it :D

Shell Optimax Extreme, 100 octane with 5% ethanol. Last year's news. For a list of stations selling it, check the shell website.

Hey i been using optimax 100 octane from shell darlinghurst last couple of weeks no complaints actually i think its better than the rest. U guys (non gender specific!!) heard anything bout ethanol? its 5% blend. They had a big ethanol scare campaign couple of yrs ago funded by big oil companies to get rid of some of the little guys coz its a cheap substitute. Now they bringing it back in with a 'ethanol is good' campaign and it actually is. (or so i've heard) Hope its as engine safe as they say it is.

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Originally Posted by J2daW

Hey i been using optimax 100 octane from shell darlinghurst last couple of weeks no complaints actually i think its better than the rest. U guys (non gender specific!!) heard anything bout ethanol? its 5% blend. They had a big ethanol scare campaign couple of yrs ago funded by big oil companies to get rid of some of the little guys coz its a cheap substitute. Now they bringing it back in with a 'ethanol is good' campaign and it actually is. (or so i've heard) Hope its as engine safe as they say it is.

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Umm Honda recommend to only put ethanol blended fuel into thier cars manufactured after 2002. You have a 94 model yo..

I refuse to run a fuel with ethanol in my car. It's a 1998, but even if it were 2002+ I still wouldn't use ethanol fuel.

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Originally Posted by J2daW

Hey i been using optimax 100 octane from shell darlinghurst last couple of weeks no complaints actually i think its better than the rest. U guys (non gender specific!!) heard anything bout ethanol? its 5% blend. They had a big ethanol scare campaign couple of yrs ago funded by big oil companies to get rid of some of the little guys coz its a cheap substitute. Now they bringing it back in with a 'ethanol is good' campaign and it actually is. (or so i've heard) Hope its as engine safe as they say it is.

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Dont your read manufacture recommandation?
They even specifically said it may be harmful or damage your engine if your engine older than 2004 if used regularly. But in the end its really your car and you do what ever you want.

you think its ok to use Shell ultimate 100 ron if you have a JDM engine+ecu which is tuned to 100-107 RON

Nup............ FINAL Line with me is NO ETHANOL (But yes to alcohol [consumable]) Even if it had 1 part per million i still wouldnt use it thats like .000001% Ethanol.

I'll just stick to my Mobil S8000 and BP Ultimate. :D :cool:

I've been using that 100ron Shell Optimax Extreme in my 96 civic exlusively for the last few weeks now. Not a problem at all, and in fact I think it's better than the others. The car goes harder and just feels more responsive and revs smoother up high too. Fuel eceonomy seems to be marginally better than the 98 stuff too.

To all those who oppose the ethanol blended fuels: they wouldn't sell the shit if it were bad for your engine. It's only 5% anyway. And besides, do you think it's any worse than all the other shit they put in?

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Originally Posted by DomenEK

To all those who oppose the ethanol blended fuels: they wouldn't sell the shit if it were bad for your engine. It's only 5% anyway. And besides, do you think it's any worse than all the other shit they put in?

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It's because ethanol is corrosive to certain materials. Different materials are compatible with different chemicals. Heck, water is very damaging to sugar, while hexane doesn't do anything to sugar.

Honda vehicles built before 2002 used materials that might not be compatible with ethanol, hence Honda Australia's reluctance to issue a statement saying that pre-2002 models will last as long with ethanol blend fuels.

5-10% ethanol blend fuels will work in older cars. Just that in the long term, the seals that come into contact with the fuel might corrode at a quicker rate.

And cigarettes are bad for you as they cause lung cancer, bad breath and poverty, yet they are still allowed to be sold at supermarkets. Bad things can still be sold. It is up to you to decide if it is good for you.

let the man use wat ever he thinks best for his car.... just hope he doesnt post up a thread later on... saying "something wrong with my car"

Plus when you think about it, Honda dont make these recommandation for nothing. Telling people what fuel to use dont really benifit them in anyway (unless they are sponsered or co-owner of that fuel company).

have you guys used. optimax xtreme i find that the bloody works the best.. 100 octane.. performance is at 100% goes harder.. and takes longer to waste than vortex98 i rkn its more worth it.. tho theres only two places u can get it.. close where im at .. =P

Nope, As i stated before NEVER will use Ethanol based fuels. I'll stick to my S8000 and Ultimate. For my baby Only the best.

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Originally Posted by aaronng

Honda vehicles built before 2002 used materials that might not be compatible with ethanol, hence Honda Australia's reluctance to issue a statement saying that pre-2002 models will last as long with ethanol blend fuels.

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But some DC5 Integras were built in 2001. Does that mean the 2001 K20A has different internal materials than a 2002 K20A? I doubt it.

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Originally Posted by VTECfreak

But some DC5 Integras were built in 2001. Does that mean the 2001 K20A has different internal materials than a 2002 K20A? I doubt it.

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Apparently it does, Jazz has the same engine but pre-2004 model cant use ethanol, it goes with all other models.

http://www.autoindustries.com.au/eth.../00000005.html

i always use shell optimax. probably coz its been out there longer n dat im use to it

Just tried BP Ultimate today again. Hmm, it makes my throttle response a little laggy. I also feel the car is a little sluggish with 1/4-1/2 throttle. Full throttle is fine and nice though. Temperature was 25 degrees today, so it shouldn't be the heat. I guess I'll have to mix in some Vortex98 as soon as I am able to.

I've been an Ultimate user for a while now, but as soon as that Ultimate drought hit i switched over to Vortex98 and also found my car more responsive.

So :thumbsup: for Votex98

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Originally Posted by LAGOOT

I've been an Ultimate user for a while now, but as soon as that Ultimate drought hit i switched over to Vortex98 and also found my car more responsive.

So :thumbsup: for Votex98

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Yeah, my usual fuel is Vortex98. I guess that was the best. :D

interesting thread guys. I have always used optimax? thought that was the best? never used vortex cus i thought caltex was Sh#t. I guess i have been wrong, might try out vortex.

I've never experienced anything bad with optimax...... always averaging 500km per tank and with ultimate hmmz.. i get 50km less than optimax.... an din regards to responsiveness, they are the same in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Da1nONLY

I've never experienced anything bad with optimax...... always averaging 500km per tank and with ultimate hmmz.. i get 50km less than optimax.... an din regards to responsiveness, they are the same in my opinion.

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Responsiveness-wise, yes Ultimate is similar to Optimax. That's why I like Vortex98 so much... Just that I had to fill in some fuel yesterday at 124.9, and I used the free BP fuel card that I got instead of paying cash out for Vortex. I'll either fill her up with Vortex98 today or on Tuesday when it is cheaper.

I've always Used Mobil s8000 Responsive and Not a guzzler either about 600KM per tank

Figured today i will got try out Vortex 98 so drove to my local Caltex and in she goes. As i left Caltex, i realised it was Vortex 95ON :(

Will it be bad for the car to run 95RON?
The user guide specifies to use 95RON but it seems like everyone uses 98RON so there must be a reason why.

Yep I think i did the same thing to. I thought to my self, everyone is rambling on about how good this Vortex is so why the hell not try it. Pulled up into a Caltex/Woolies/Safeway petrol station, and started filling up. Half way through the tank I was just thinking, Usualy Ultimate/S8000 is about 10c More than the others, But the Vortex is only about 5c. Then it came to me i was using Vortex 95 Grrrrrrrrr Was i pissed off!!! Stoped it at half a tank and Went and paid for it and Said to the Attendent "YOU SHOULD HAVE PROPER SIGNING ABOUT WHICH PETROL WE ARE FILLING UP WITH" and he replied as "I'm only a worker here take it to the manager" OMG did that get me going.... Left it at that and went to BP (Accross the road) Filled up with Ultimate ahhhhh did that feel better. BUT I STILL HAVE HALF A TANK OF VORTEX 95 GRRR.

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Originally Posted by Xplodin

Yep I think i did the same thing to. I thought to my self, everyone is rambling on about how good this Vortex is so why the hell not try it. Pulled up into a Caltex/Woolies/Safeway petrol station, and started filling up. Half way through the tank I was just thinking, Usualy Ultimate/S8000 is about 10c More than the others, But the Vortex is only about 5c. Then it came to me i was using Vortex 95 Grrrrrrrrr Was i pissed off!!! Stoped it at half a tank and Went and paid for it and Said to the Attendent "YOU SHOULD HAVE PROPER SIGNING ABOUT WHICH PETROL WE ARE FILLING UP WITH" and he replied as "I'm only a worker here take it to the manager" OMG did that get me going.... Left it at that and went to BP (Accross the road) Filled up with Ultimate ahhhhh did that feel better. BUT I STILL HAVE HALF A TANK OF VORTEX 95 GRRR.

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Ultimately, i would like to know is it detrimental to the engine/emissions that i used 95RON?
I mean if the only benefit for using 98RON is purely performance oriented then i may just keep using 95RON vortex.

Nope, this shouldnt damage your engine at all. Unless Your car manual says it must use RON98. I'd just prefer RON98 due to the smooth feeling it gives when reving. But Yeah my car can take the standard ULP.

if your car manual say 98 and/or your car has timing advanced, then your engine may got pinging = damage in the long run. If that make sense.

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Originally Posted by jaffa_cree

Figured today i will got try out Vortex 98 so drove to my local Caltex and in she goes. As i left Caltex, i realised it was Vortex 95ON :(

Will it be bad for the car to run 95RON?
The user guide specifies to use 95RON but it seems like everyone uses 98RON so there must be a reason why.

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i just use Boost 98 fron united.
car runs fine.. no issues with it since i used it for last 5-6 months

car runs way smoother that alot of fuels i've been using..

:D

also. economy..

i got nearly 700 K's half start and stop and half freeway cruising to philip island.
not bad for a H22a

BP Ultimate, cleaner fuel.

Shell adds other additives to their fuels - I'm still not convinced Ethanol additives is the way to go.

Just mixed my remaining 1/4 tank of Ultimate with 3/4 tank of Optimax. Phew, Optimax feels a bit better than ultimate. Engine is a little less lazy. But it is a little rougher. Vortex98 next week.

So far with my experiments.
Optimax revs faster then Vortex 95 but Vortex 95 seems to have better mileage for me (majority high way kms @ 110 km).

Not sure whether i want to give Vortex 98 a go or not seeing it costs an extra 5cpl over 95RON and 2cpl over Optimax. Not to mention Vortex 98 is so rare!

Try vortex98 for 1 tank. In a 50 tank refill, it is only $1.00 more over optimax!

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Originally Posted by aaronng

Between Shell Optimax and Vortex98, I choose Vortex98. Shell Optimax has its bad days and I've experienced the engine retarding the ignition during hot weather with Optimax.

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Yes i had exactly the same problem, the car didnt want to start.

I found it more economical to use Vortex 98 in my dc5s compared to optimax.. I felt that I was getting more kms out of Vortex 98.. Plus on good days (like Tuesdays) i can get vortex 98 at $1.22/L so its not too bad..

would i be benefiting if i use vortex98 over vortex?
if thers not much noticeable difference, i'll degrade to vortex

Depends on your car man. I just filled up my tank with Vortex 95 (60L tank) and it cost me $75.

I'll be driving my baby up to Newcastle today and back on sunday so highway driving doing 90kmph :( damn red P's!!! So ill post my findings on monday morning!

My camry would be tuned for 91 octane but i find the car isnt as sluggish as it is when im using normal ULP. I can notice A HUGE DIFFERENCE in smoothness tho when using vortex over 95 ron octane from shell. I think shell stinks now.

I get 500km out of a tank of 95 shell ron so ill see what vortex gives me!

Hethro

sweeet

i just do 110km/h on freeway
i slow down if i sense coppers lol

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Originally Posted by kiss

would i be benefiting if i use vortex98 over vortex?
if thers not much noticeable difference, i'll degrade to vortex

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To me, most 91 and 95 octane petrols are the same. They come from the few refineries that were have in australia. The 98 octane fuels are blended to the company's requirement and hence have a bigger difference. For your JDM prelude (if it has a JDM engine), I'd stick to vortex98

After trialing all 3 types of fuel, Optimax, Vortex 95 and Vortex 98 this is my findings.

Vortex 95 is better of mileage getting around 8% more kms than Optimax.
Vortex 98 revs faster but has slight worse mileage then 95 but still better than Optimax. For the meantime i will stick to Vortex 95.

What about Mobil high octcane one? synergy 8000?

i thought optimax was 100 now

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Originally Posted by pakman

What about Mobil high octcane one? synergy 8000?

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Mobil petrol stations are very hard to come by where i live.

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Originally Posted by chunky

i thought optimax was 100 now

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Optimax is still 98 RON, however Shell has introduced Optimax Extreme which is 100RON with 5% ethanol i think.

just poured vortex95
feels heaps smoother than vortex98 actually
hope mileage is good also

oooooooooo k den =O

SHOCK HORROR!

Just drove up to Newcastle and back on a trip with my mates (so car was loaded up with beer etc) and i filled up my tank (60L) with Vortex 95 ron. I got wait for it................ 488KM OUT OF HALF A TANK! So i was doing 90kmph so that gave me a fuel eco of 6L/100km!!!!

So shell kiss my ass! Caltex can have my money now! Mwahahahah

Hethro

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Originally Posted by kiss

just poured vortex95
feels heaps smoother than vortex98 actually
hope mileage is good also

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You're using 95 RON in a JDM 'lude? ...... That's nearly as bad as someone I knew who always filled up with 95 RON in their R34 GT-T Skyline... :confused: :!: :thumbdwn:

LOL awesome work hethro87

the most i've ever gotten out of my full tank is 498km (50L)

but man, you did that in half a tank.. i suppose all my petrol goes to starting the engine so much, from just trying to activate my 4ws

Where

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Originally Posted by hethro87

SHOCK HORROR!

Just drove up to Newcastle and back on a trip with my mates (so car was loaded up with beer etc) and i filled up my tank (60L) with Vortex 95 ron. I got wait for it................ 488KM OUT OF HALF A TANK! So i was doing 90kmph so that gave me a fuel eco of 6L/100km!!!!

So shell kiss my ass! Caltex can have my money now! Mwahahahah

Hethro

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How did you determine it was half a tank? Fuel needle or did you refill to the click and in went 30L? Because that kind of mileage to me is so good that it is unheard of. For a 2.2L engine, loaded up with passengers getting 6L/100km at 90kmph is way beyond any claim of any manufacturer.

Best i have gotten is also with Vortex 95.
300kms (90% at 110kmph) with 24L and with only my self in the car. That equates to 8L/100km

Depends on the car. With my 2.4L, I got 7 L/100km when driving to canberra.

Yeh i used the fuel useage calculator on this website. It was around 6 -7 L/100km.

My car is a 2.2 L, 4cylinder, 5 spd manual with a 60 L tank - I had two other people in the car, shopping and fishing rods etc. And i used the fuel neddle and trust me it works just fine!

Hethro

P.s maybe i should write to Toyota in Japan and found out the people who made my car and thank them! : P

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Originally Posted by aaronng

Depends on the car. With my 2.4L, I got 7 L/100km when driving to canberra.

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I understand that it does depend on the car, i am just comparing the results to smaller cars like the JAZZ and for a JAZZ to get 6L/100km is hard at times.

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Originally Posted by hethro87

Yeh i used the fuel useage calculator on this website. It was around 6 -7 L/100km.

My car is a 2.2 L, 4cylinder, 5 spd manual with a 60 L tank - I had two other people in the car, shopping and fishing rods etc. And i used the fuel neddle and trust me it works just fine!

Hethro

P.s maybe i should write to Toyota in Japan and found out the people who made my car and thank them! : P

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6L or 7L is a big difference.
Using the fuel needle is not an accurate judgement of how much litres of fuel were used. Best way is to refill to the click and see how much litres went it.

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Originally Posted by jaffa_cree

I understand that it does depend on the car, i am just comparing the results to smaller cars like the JAZZ and for a JAZZ to get 6L/100km is hard at times.

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It's because with smaller cars, you have to change your driving style more for fuel economy. We expect acceleration of a 1.8L engine out of a 1.3L engine and also good fuel economy at the same time. It's not possible. You can get large engine acceleration from a smaller engine but in the end you will use more fuel than a larger engine. When I was driving a 1.3L 4-spd auto, I was burning 11L/100km on the highway and 12L/100km in the city, because I was trying to get it to move like the 2.2L Accord. hehehe. That 12L/100km figure I got without full throttle! It was all highway! Filled up, drove there, and then filled up again and calculated. Had to refill because I get only 300km out of a 40L tank!

In comparison, the acceleration in 1st gear up to redline of that car is about the same as 6th gear 2500rpm acceleration for the Euro! And the Euro drinks much less on the highway.

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Originally Posted by Menthu Rae

You're using 95 RON in a JDM 'lude? ...... That's nearly as bad as someone I knew who always filled up with 95 RON in their R34 GT-T Skyline... :confused: :!: :thumbdwn:

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what am i suppose to be pouring?

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Originally Posted by kiss

what am i suppose to be pouring?

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98 octane. :thumbsup:

thats what i have been filling up on, though vortex95 feels heaps smoother for some reason

ahh back to vortex98 it is

Does the h22a retard timing if knock is detected? If it does, then it could explain why it is smoother. When you retard timing, you lose a bit of power but the engine runs slightly smoother.