Running rich?

[Psychotron]

So my car starts right up, idles perfect, no check engine light, runs great has always been reliable but it smells like it runs really rich. Here is whats on it to give you some help

larger plug wires
test pipe/mandrel bent exhaust
intake

just your basic NA mods, I have NGK vpower plugs, I usually cheap out and get 87 gas, what can I do to resolve this?

[Hans@GZP]

Is it blowing black smoke out of the exhaust? If not, then it might just smell that way because you aren't running a cat.

[Psychotron]

I dont think so, if it is its very little, I had a buddy out cruising with me all day the other day and never said anything about smoke.

[stealthee]

NA's run right from the factory. Stop being cheap and put in 91/93 if you have a DOHC. You aren't saving any money that way. Your car is pulling timing and not running how it should and you are actually getting less mileage than you would ruinning Premium.

[Psychotron]

NA's run right from the factory. Stop being cheap and put in 91/93 if you have a DOHC. You aren't saving any money that way. Your car is pulling timing and not running how it should and you are actually getting less mileage than you would ruinning Premium.

Thank you! I have asked several times on the multiple forums what octane to run in my car and always get mixed answers so just resorted to 87, I will try running 93 and see what happens

[VR-4 0wnz j00]

Yeah, they are supposed to be 93 only.

[Psychotron]

filled up with 93 last night, will see how it goes over the next few weeks, the car isnt daily driven

[GTO Raven]

Your paying $2.00 more (or at least i do) for 93 if you put 10 gallons in your tank. silly thing to get cheap about when your car is involved :P

[stealthee]

Quick math exam.

Lets say you get 21 mpg putting 87 octane in your tank at 3.67/gallon. You have a 20 gallon tank. It costs 73.40 to fill from empty. 21 mpg x 20 gallon = 420 miles to a tank 73.40/420 = 0.1747 cent per mile

Now lets say you get 23 mpg by putting 93 octane in your tank at 3.87/gallon. It costs 77.40 to fill from empty. 23 mpg x 20 gallon = 460 miles to a tank.
77.40/460 = 0.1683 cent per mile

So you are paying more for a tank, but that tank is getting you further. And while it might not look like much savings, if you drive 15,000 miles a year it comes out to $96 SAVED by using 93. All this time you thought you were penny pinching using 87 and you were actually costing yourself more money.

[GTO Raven]

I'm too lazy to figure all that stuff out. All I know is people are scared of $.20 per gallon. I get 26 avg. But I A) drive like a prick and B) have no turbos