Whipple and Gas Quality (Costco)

[Bevan11]

I live in SC where we get 93 Octane fuel. I have always bought my gas from Costco the last few years. My other car is a SHO. I have never had any issues with knock in that car yet Whipple specifically says not to use "costco" fuel. Can someone please help me understand what makes branded fuel better? Costco gas employees claim that chevron makes there detergents for them because there CEO wanted all his employees to have the best fuel and to buy from them. They are level 1 or "Top Tier" fuel. They got this distinction in 2014. I thought that all gas suppliers got there regular, plus, and premium from the same place and the only thing that separated the brands was the types and amounts of detergent used. If there is the same amount and type of detergents how can the fuel be different from Chevron? Could it just be that the verbiage is old for Whipple? Prices are about 40 cents cheaper so $16 dollars per fill up makes me think!

 

[torrin]

Costco buys gas from an unbranded rack, which means it could be just about any brand or refiner. Most premium brands (Shell, Chevron, BP) put additives in their 93 octane that unbranded may not have. However, it is not unlikely that you might be pumping unbranded gas when you go to a premium brand station. Confusing huh?

I would check with Whipple, there may be an additive or detergent they want that the don't think Costco has.

 

[Bevan11]

Costco buys gas from an unbranded rack, which means it could be just about any brand or refiner. Most premium brands (Shell, Chevron, BP) put additives in their 93 octane that unbranded may not have. However, it is not unlikely that you might be pumping unbranded gas when you go to a premium brand station. Confusing huh?

I would check with Whipple, there may be an additive or detergent they want that the don't think Costco has.

That makes sense about unbranded rack. The branded already has the additives. 2 1/2 years ago Costco built the additive pumps at each of there stores to achieve the "top tier" rating. They add the additive themselves before the truck drops the gas. They say that they Do it this way to ensure that they control the process of adding enough detergent to the gas. Is the "stock" premium fuel the same for all companies before detergents are added to make their "brand"?

 

[torrin]

That makes sense about unbranded rack. The branded already has the additives. 2 1/2 years ago Costco built the additive pumps at each of there stores to achieve the "top tier" rating. They add the additive themselves before the truck drops the gas. They say that they Do it this way to ensure that they control the process of adding enough detergent to the gas. Is the "stock" premium fuel the same for all companies before detergents are added to make their "brand"?

It is pretty close to the same thing, heck, some of them add to additives in the tanker truck. Fuel quality is pretty good across the board as it is strictly monitored.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

That makes sense about unbranded rack. The branded already has the additives. 2 1/2 years ago Costco built the additive pumps at each of there stores to achieve the "top tier" rating. They add the additive themselves before the truck drops the gas. They say that they Do it this way to ensure that they control the process of adding enough detergent to the gas. Is the "stock" premium fuel the same for all companies before detergents are added to make their "brand"?

Costco does not add the additive before truck drops the gas. Costco gas is the same as Chevron, Shell, or anybody else. What makes Costco unique is that they have an additional tank underground among the other tanks (i.e., that holds all the fuel), which pumps a detergent into the gasoline. This is how Costco ensures that you are running the very best fuel. From what I have been told, the detergent is Lucas Oil Fuel Treatment. A specific truck will come and fill the tank designated for the detergent when it is low. That tank releases a specific amount of cleaner into the other tanks to ensure the best fuel. This makes sense because Costco advertises that their fuel will clean your injectors, minimize deposits, and everything else.

All I run is Costco fuel. Over the years, I have talked to various people at Costco because I intentionally stop at Costco's when I am traveling the country. What I noted above is what has been verified by people who work for Costco.

I would call Whipple and get in touch with them.

 

[OPT PRIME]

Fill her up with Costco, find an empty road, plug in the Tomahawk, turn on the function to record parameters and floor it! Nice long pull to XY(Z).

When you get home download the .csv file and look for some knock retard.


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[kpg81]

My buddy has a 851 all wheel HP GTR - thats on 91 octane. With e85 it puts out over 1150awhp. As of a few weeks ago when it was on the dyno, using Shell 91.. it made 851. They wanted to tune it some more but they were low on gas.

My friend has always been the "Costco is the same as the other name brand" kind of guys, and he wanted to prove it. They unstrapped from the dyno and he took it to a local Costco and topped it off with their 91.

Brought it back and it was knocking more and they couldn't get it over 800HP again.

He doesnt buy cheap ass Costco anymore.

 

[Toadster]

Costco is a top tier vendor as of 2014 - it used to be crappy generic gas


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[0r30]

Costco is a top tier vendor as of 2014 - it used to be crappy generic gas


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Is anyone running costco gas on their whipple stage 1 kit for their gen2? Just came across a section in the instructions stating Costco gas should be avoided.




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[Wfo]

All the gas comes through the pipeline the same for all customers. There are additives that are injected at the rack that differentiate at the pump as a branded or unbranded product. Ocatane level or quality is not affected by additives.
That is a direct message from a good friend in the petroleum hauling business.