This has been an interesting read... the question everyone wants to know...
Will octane increase give you a performance increase?
Answer, as given on this page by "NotoriousREV" is:
Yes, but you will need to modify engine settings to make use of it.
This is true for bikes, and cars. However with newer technology cars you do not usually have to go under the bonnet to make all the tweeks. Cars with post 1998 engine management systems will make most of the adjustments for you. (more detail at end of post).
So, higher octane and give higher compression ratios, and therefore higher performance.
Promised technical detail follows:
I've worked now for almost 2 years for Shell Global Solutions, the people who designed Optimax, the people who make fuel for all sorts of motorsport teams. Shell set out to study the relationship between octane and power.
Most cars will run with no knock (also known as "plink" by some people) at 95 RON. Under some conditions , combinations of temperature, load on the engine and fuel, they will knock. Some cars, designed with higher compression ratios and performance in mind require a higher octane rating.
New cars have knock sensors. The engine management system will change the spark timing to avoid knock. So, upon sensing knoch the spark will be shifted a few degress (crank angle). (Away from the most efficient and powerful position). When the car is running more smothly the enginemangement will shift the spark back until it again encounters knock. A higher octane fuel allows the engine management to push the spark a few more degrees of crank angle and stay knockless. In this new configuration you will feel power and smothness.
This is all based on a lot of research, many trials, all repeated under the most rigorous conditions.
Good luck, I too would be glad to hear of peoples times 0-60 with and without the extra octane. Our studies were mostly in the range of 90 to 104 RON, moving higher is an interesting idea.
Thanks to anyone who stuck with this post and read to the end. I'm willing to accept questions via e-mail, I probably will not be able to spend too much time on any one forum.
Thanks again,
