Which would be best to run in a stock viper? Ethanol free 93 isn't an option round here.
I ran whatever premium I could find for 13,000 miles on my 02. Tossed a can of Seafoam in it at the end of each trip and again at the end of the season.
sloTJ
Member
I always run non ethanol. I've always heard ethanol is hard on smaller engines
Last tank ethanol free. As long as you burn the 93 out before you park it no worries
Yeah I won't store it with it in it, was just curious if the 2 extra points worth of octane made any difference to the way it ran vs the effect of ethanol on these motors. I was figuring it really wouldnt.
Vipers only require 89 correct? Personally I would go with the pure gas.
Hmm...never realized it only needed 89. Thanks for the input.
Devilin AblueDress!
New member
Didn't your brother or brother in law just burn down his viper with 91? Due to the extreme cold? I have same options here, 91 E free or 93 with it. I question the freshness of the 91 E free so I run 93 with ethanol. Vipers are already prone to lean detonation due to timing curve.....lowering octane IMO is asking for problems.
YAMMIEGOD3:16
Active member
ethanol a killer. 91 non. 3:16 (yammie tony)
I've been under the impression now that the biggest ill effect of ethanol on these motors was leaving it sit in them for a longer amount of time. What would extreme cold be considered? I ran my sled in -10ish° f the other weekend. Did probably 60 mi and really only made it over half throttle a handful of times. No issues there, used 93E. We stayed home when it was hovering around -30f. I read that thread about the super cold mid burn down scenario, made me think about how fickle these things can be, hence the original question.
This was a triple piped viper. Different story. The stock viper did fine.
X2 - I don't own a Viper but my SRX requires 91.
I've mostly use E10 93/94 when I can since new - especially in cold ambients. I don't like to wot for long with 91.
I don't store with either over the summer but add Type F to the last gallon, run, drain, run dry and fog.
I did not pull my carbs this season... no plugged pilots.
Works for me.
Youllbe2nd
New member
Run the gas that the motor is designed for. in my opinion, more octane requires more timing. Anything over 91 is a waste of money. One more vote for E-free 91. Over time the ethanol WILL hurt your sled. No question. Avoid it if you can.
A couple of bucks
VIP Member
X2. Except I used MARINE STA-BIL on every tank. Just keep it in the trunk.
Here in Michigan - I stand a better chance getting a fresher tank of E15 93, than I do "advertised" 91 E free.
...and with proper precautions, no ill affects.
In my opinion.
...and with proper precautions, no ill affects.
In my opinion.
brethren
New member
The problem with ethanol aside from burning our food, it's highly corrosive on metals, and it dries out rubber, nylon, and plastic. It wreaks havoc on the carbs, especially when left over the summer. Corrosion in the jets are responsible for changing the orifice size, or clogging. In some float bowls made of steel, it can actually rust out the bowl, and the rust then clogs everything in the carb. Gas stations use it i believe because it's cheaper, and to boost up the octane. One mechanic told me to check the nylon washers around the main jets (they keep the fuel from sloshing around the main jet). The ethanol had dried it out over time and they had become lose. After a while they will move up and mess with the float operation. Sorry for ranting but ethanol is a pet peeve of mine