Standard ECU's detonate fuel later than required to be on the safe side!
Timing on mine has advanced more on me unichip for optimax to get the most power benefit.
All cars should be better running due to it burning cleaner.
I still get the same amount of miles for £20 now even though i get less litres.

I believe that what i have stated is true. Its nothing to do really with whether the engine is mapped for it, the only thing the engine has to do is adjust the timing accordingly to prevent premature detonation (pinking). As far as i know, the ECOTEC engines can adjust to any fuel type that is on the market today. Optimax has a more efficient burn, rather than being a stronger petrol. Thats not how octane ratings work.

Dave are you a tech who will put his hand on his heart and state that 16v Ecotec is mapped for 98 RON. I'm not doubting your conviction nor am I an anti optimax advocate, just want some one of factory cred to varify. let's see who can clear this up once and for all. just think of all those pints(we call em schooners down under)you could buy with the money saved.:thumbs:

as in Gina G?

Easy yeah right

I went to all luton vaux dealerships for a ron plug they were umm aaa ???

I believe that Optimax works very well in the eco-tec engines. I have the 1.6 16v engine, and i get MUCH improved mileage out of Optimax rather than standard super unleaded.The knock sensor will adjust for the different octane rating and will adjust timing and fuel/air mixtures accordingly. As for older vauxhalls with RON plugs, sourcing a 98RON from vauxhall is easy.

Dave

Thanks for the replies, still you would think that there would be a couple of Opel/Vauxall/Holden techs out there who watch this board (how else are they going to know how their product stacks up) that should be able to clear up once and for all whether there is any real performance benefit to using Optimax or any other 98 RON fuel in the 16V Ecotec engines.I mean we all would like to think we are getting something for our money not just a blurb.:thumbs:

Fuel wont be burnt at optimum time if you just use optimax.
A reset of the ECU should cure this though after a few tank fulls have passed through as the knock sensor only retards the timing for crap fuel (91-95RON), dont think it re-advances the timing for high octane though.
Shouldn't cause over fuelling as the same amount should be injected in.

Hmmm.. so could that cause over fuelling because the ignition timing is being altered to compensate, or am I way off track here :lol:

Optimax is 98.5 RON+
Super unleaded 97 or 98 depending on garage
Unleaded is 95

No I've never heard of power chips over here.
Its a very good thought actually. Am I right in thinking Shell Optimax is 98 Ron and normal unleaded is 96 Ron ?
If so, does anyone know if the ECU does alter anything that would effectively make optimax useless?
I have used optimax from 1st fill up and the car has never ran quite right :boggle:

Just a thought...

Unichip it and you can optimise it for 98RON, never heard of power chip in the uk.

Anyone here have a Powerchipped Corsa/Barina 1.8 16V . Like to hear your thoughts on power gains if any. Does the standard Ecotec engine mapping allow for 98 RON performance gains or will the Knock sensors only retard the the spark as far as 96 RON therefore making the use of 98 RON an expensive and useless exercise.