Epic Fuel Requirements

[re-pete]

My understanding of the VT300i, is that because of the high compression, you have to run a minimum of 92 octane unleaded in it.

My problem is, where I will have my boat, the only thing the marinas have is regular.  I've heard the computer will retard the timing so it won't knock, but that I will lose a lot of power, and it really isn't that great for the engine.

Does anyone use octane boosters, or know if Toyota recommends any specific brand as suitable, without causing any ignition/carbon build-up problems?  Any help would be appreciated.

[cyclone]

I would not use anything like that, personally. They definitely need high quality, high octane gas. You will have problems with plugs if you don't use good stuff. Buy some Jerry cans or five gallon gas cans and get good gas. You could probably mix it 50/50 or so in a pinch. If you keep it topped off, you'll be fine. It will use about 1/2 the gas all the other ski boats do.

I heard that Leslie Kent totally trashed her Epic, they sent it to Atl Marine to be cleaned up before it could be sold. She used crappy gas and didn't keep the tank full so the plugs were fouled and the injectors had to be replaced. It was full of trash and wet leaves too.

[scottsquared]

It seems that fuel quality is very important on our boats because of the engine design.  I know that when plugs foul (that are designed for 1000 hours) and fuel water seperators need to be changed it must be due to boarderline quality gas.  When I changed both of those items above it was like having a new boat!

Question:  What about using 100 octane or even just putting 5 gallons in of 100 per fill-up?  It's available here at the corner gas stations because of the proximity to the Nascar shops.

[cyclone]

The engine is designed to use unleaded fuel, racing gas that I've seen is leaded. I think that might cause problems with sensors, etc.