Performance Mods

[John_Walker (69 FHC. . . $ via PayPal)]

@Lovell

Europe has better petrol.

Higher octane.
No alcohol.
They had leaded gas available until the mid 90’s.
They didn’t get no lead for quite some time, 20 years after the US, if I remember correctly.
No cat converters for the longest time.
Some of these may be the reason for higher performance, and they usually had a smaller displacement available with the conventional size the US was provided, being an option.

I was of the understanding the difference in octane ratings were the result of different ways of measuring octane in the US and Europe; Europe using the Research Octane Number (RON) while the US uses Pump Octane Number, (PON which you will also see as (R+M)/2 ).

98 RON = 93 PON
95 RON = 91 PON
92 RON = 87 PON

100 ROM is also available in some European countries.

The other points have to do more with the legislation governing emissions and energy savings more than anything else.

Smaller engines, IIRC have to do with the way many European countries tax their vehicles and the price of gasoline, which carries a much higher ta than in the US.

[Lovell]

I agree but those other points do affect performance and mileage correct?

[John_Walker (69 FHC. . . $ via PayPal)]

Of course they do. …

[Andrew_Waugh]

And it’s pretty hard to find ethanol free here.

In Switzerland they don’t even have to declare it if it’s less than 5%.

And your car tax is pretty much a factor of the displacement/HP, so engines here tend to be a bit smaller.

[Nigelplug]

In the UK I believe Esso and BP super unleaded are ethanol free. Don’t know about in Switzerland though. Seeing a Swiss mate on Friday he runs a 15/6 and a Riley Brooklands he might know.

[John_Walker (69 FHC. . . $ via PayPal)]

@Nigelplug

In the UK I believe Esso and BP super unleaded are ethanol free. Don’t know about in Switzerland though. Seeing a Swiss mate on Friday he runs a 15/6 and a Riley Brooklands he might know.

If the entry in Wikipedia can be believed it appears that the fuel offered in the various countries of Europe varies greatly.

See: Octane rating - Wikipedia