Race Fuel question

[theducman]

So I'm off to the track in two weeks. The bike, a Ninja 300, was mapped for MR 12 and 93 pump. I have a unopened can of VP T4 in my garage. I assume this would be a small notch above the 93 pump. The MR I don't ever plan to run, I want something unleaded. Anyone else use the T4? Or the Sunoco GTX stuff look comparable.

[Kurlon]

T4 has MTBE I believe, I *HATE* that crap. T4E uses ethanol instead. 260 GT would be the direct cross IIRC.

[theducman]

What is MTBE and why do you hate it lol.

[Kurlon]

It's an oxygenator that started being added to fuels in the 90s for winter blends. In Maine we had issues with people getting sick from the exhaust and it was just as nasty to fuel systems as ethanol, if not worse, a lot of snowmobiles needed shop time from it. After a couple winters of this Maine banned it, a bunch of other states have since followed suit. This is why T4E exists, VP can't sell T4 in lots of states because of MTBE bans, and there is a potential federal level ban looming via the EPA.

[theducman]

It's an oxygenator that started being added to fuels in the 90s for winter blends. In Maine we had issues with people getting sick from the exhaust and it was just as nasty to fuel systems as ethanol, if not worse, a lot of snowmobiles needed shop time from it. After a couple winters of this Maine banned it, a bunch of other states have since followed suit. This is why T4E exists, VP can't sell T4 in lots of states because of MTBE bans, and there is a potential federal level ban looming via the EPA.

So this is harmful to motors and the environment

[Kurlon]

As it came out pre-ethanol, I don't know if it's damaging to fuel systems that are designed to be E10 safe or not. It's absolutely bad environmentally, you don't want to be around it's fumes while it's in gas form, or it's exhaust.

[theducman]

I promise to use caution

[Kurlon]

I promise to use caution

Please don't use T4 period, particularly around people. There's no need, there are alternatives available without MTBE.

[theducman]

From VP fuel after I asked them.

We use ETBE in the T-4 it’s the same family of chemicals as the MTBE. And yes it’s designed for modern 2 or 4 stroke dirt bikes and ATVS.

[Jim]

T4 is the fuel of choice for the racers that dont want to run leaded fuels like U4.4 or MR12
it's not cheap, but engine safer than the leaded fuels listed above.

[Kurlon]

The only leaded fuel discussed was MR12.

Interesting that VP is saying ETBE in T4 (not T4E) as they got sued for switching to ETBE without disclosing it. http://petroleumtrends.com/Complaint...YQ-g0arjZSG9as All the literature I can find advertising T4 still says MTBE. I don't see it listed on their current SDS, I also don't see ETBE in the current SDS... I'm also amused that they link to Google Drive files for this.

In the end, let's be real, it's a Ninja 300. It likely doesn't have a crazy overbuilt motor, T4 vs pump is not going to show up in your lap times, run the fuel that's not as noxious to you, others, or potentially the groundwater supply.

[Jim]

MR12 adds 6hp on a stock 600cc bike, and these newer LW bikes are getting up there on power.

but for $160-$180/pale, you could easily gain that power in about 2 weekends of race fuel costs from doing a thinner head gasket, deck the head, degree timing, and a valve seat job instead.

not sure about T4, but you have to siphon your tank out of any MR12 and run 93 pump gas before going home from the track. another nuisance you'll have to deal with to gain a few horsepower.

[theducman]

The only reason I was going to use the T4 was because I got a pail for free. So I figured why not. From what I can tell it's a unleaded 97 octane fuel replacement for pump gas.

[Jim]

use it if you race at NJMP. if you're only planning to race at NHMS, sell it.

[theducman]

I was going to use in at a few tracks this year.