Will 94 octane provide more HP than 91 octane?

I'll say no.

Think so. Maybe a little. Timing can be further advanced.
Here is a octane test Car and Driver did on a 3.5 EcoBoost-

At 128.7 horsepower per liter, the F-150's high-output V-6 engine is more power dense than a Porsche 911 Carrera's twin-turbo flat-six. Naturally then, the Ford hauls ass as effortlessly as it hauls a half-ton of manure. When fed 93 octane, this 5594-pound, self-propelled wheelbarrow will crash 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Power at the wheels dropped from 380 to 360 horsepower with the change from 93 to 87 octane. That difference seemed to grow, and we could even feel it from the driver's seat at the test track. Compared with premium fuel, regular feed sapped the F-150's urgency both leaving the line and in the meat of the tach sweep. The rush to 60 mph softened to a still-blistering 5.9 seconds, and the quarter-mile stretched from 14.0 to 14.5 seconds, with trap speed falling 4 mph. Tapped into the Ford's CAN bus, we recorded a peak boost pressure roughly 1.9 psi lower during acceleration runs on regular gas, down more than 10 percent compared with the 18.1-psi peak on premium. The high-octane gas also helped when soft-pedaling the accelerator, elevating 75-mph fuel economy from 17.0 to 17.6 mpg. That won't make a financial case for running 93 octane, but then you didn't buy the expensive engine as a rational choice. You can think of this EcoBoost engine's more aggressive high-octane tune as a sort-of sport mode that can be switched on or off with every fill of its 36.0-gallon tank.

the poacher

Hi all,
I have tried to research this question and I have not been able to find a definitive answer. I am hoping that one of you will know the true answer to my question, and that is:
The Bronco will increase it's 2.3l engine's horsepower to 300hp if you run 91 octane rather than 87. 91 octane is what Ford considers to be Premium fuel.
Will the engine increase it's horsepower beyond 300hp if you run 94 octane (this octane is available in British Columbia)? If so, does anyone know by how much?
I look forward to any insights that you may have.
Thanks!

Higher octane in itself doesn’t produce more power but rather establishes the conditions that will allow the engine to make more power.

Higher octane fuel will burn more efficiently both in terms of rate (especially under hard acceleration) & thermal dynamics so these added benefits result in less knocking which allows the ECU to use higher pressure and boost for the turbos which can produce more power (when not neutered by the ECU).

Off topic but during a recent road trip through several states I came across numerous gas stations with 85 octane. I have not seen anything lower than 87 in a very long time..

are you sure that it wasn't rec gas?

fresh coast

are you sure that it wasn't rec gas?

Most of the places where I saw the 85 octane was at truck stops along I84 and I80..

I suppose it could have been rec gas but not sure why they'd offer it at truck stop places like Loves, Flying J, TS etc.. Think I even saw it at a Kum & Go off I80 (WTF is up with that name - LOL)

Higher elevations tend to use 85 octane unleaded. Idaho is especially bad for 85 octane. You have to read on the gas pump to know the actual octane you plan to pump.

extra toasty

Think so. Maybe a little. Timing can be further advanced.
Here is a octane test Car and Driver did on a 3.5 EcoBoost-

At 128.7 horsepower per liter, the F-150's high-output V-6 engine is more power dense than a Porsche 911 Carrera's twin-turbo flat-six. Naturally then, the Ford hauls ass as effortlessly as it hauls a half-ton of manure. When fed 93 octane, this 5594-pound, self-propelled wheelbarrow will crash 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Power at the wheels dropped from 380 to 360 horsepower with the change from 93 to 87 octane. That difference seemed to grow, and we could even feel it from the driver's seat at the test track. Compared with premium fuel, regular feed sapped the F-150's urgency both leaving the line and in the meat of the tach sweep. The rush to 60 mph softened to a still-blistering 5.9 seconds, and the quarter-mile stretched from 14.0 to 14.5 seconds, with trap speed falling 4 mph. Tapped into the Ford's CAN bus, we recorded a peak boost pressure roughly 1.9 psi lower during acceleration runs on regular gas, down more than 10 percent compared with the 18.1-psi peak on premium. The high-octane gas also helped when soft-pedaling the accelerator, elevating 75-mph fuel economy from 17.0 to 17.6 mpg. That won't make a financial case for running 93 octane, but then you didn't buy the expensive engine as a rational choice. You can think of this EcoBoost engine's more aggressive high-octane tune as a sort-of sport mode that can be switched on or off with every fill of its 36.0-gallon tank.

Hey Extra Toasty,
I appreciate the response, but the quote talks about the difference between 87 to 93 octane of which we know there is a definite difference. We know that Ford has based their increase in hp by running 91 octane instead of 87, so does the extra 2 or in B.C.'s case, a 3 octane increase take the hp any higher than the 300 that 91 octane provides.
In other words, is it worth the extra cost of using 94 octane?

There is more at work than just the octane rating of the fuel. As Bschurr mentioned, higher octane fuel is more resistant to predetonation (knock), than lower octane fuels. This allows the turbos to add more boost with less chance chance of engine damage. Factors such as ambient air temp and altitude will also come into play. There are too many variables in play to give a definitive yes or no answer.

jtpasto

Higher elevations tend to use 85 octane unleaded. Idaho is especially bad for 85 octane. You have to read on the gas pump to know the actual octane you plan to pump.

Makes sense then as Idaho was one of the states where I saw it..

Sorry for the off-topic @the poacher

the poacher

Hey Extra Toasty,
I appreciate the response, but the quote talks about the difference between 87 to 93 octane of which we know there is a definite difference. We know that Ford has based their increase in hp by running 91 octane instead of 87, so does the extra 2 or in B.C.'s case, a 3 octane increase take the hp any higher than the 300 that 91 octane provides.
In other words, is it worth the extra cost of using 94 octane?

Same answer. Pretty sure there’s more head room above 91 octane. Whether it’s worth it that’s your call. I run Shell 93 in my tuned 2.7 with a Cobb intercooler, cooler plugs, K&N air filter and cat back exhaust. If I didn’t want the extra performance I wouldn’t have done anything. I really couldn’t care less about the price difference of the fuel.

the poacher

Hey Extra Toasty,
I appreciate the response, but the quote talks about the difference between 87 to 93 octane of which we know there is a definite difference. We know that Ford has based their increase in hp by running 91 octane instead of 87, so does the extra 2 or in B.C.'s case, a 3 octane increase take the hp any higher than the 300 that 91 octane provides.
In other words, is it worth the extra cost of using 94 octane?

I think it's mapped for either 87 or 91. The octane sensor in the fuel system and the knock sensors on the engine control which map is used.

Eninty

I think it's mapped for either 87 or 91. The octane sensor in the fuel system and the knock sensors on the engine control which map is used.

Are you sure?
2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Power Down With 87 Octane--Updated With Comment From Ford
JEFF GLUCKERJANUARY 9, 2015COMMENT NOW!UPDATE: A Ford spokesman has explained that while horsepower in the Mustang EcoBoost will be down when using 87 octane fuel, as will be the case with virtually any engine when using a fuel with a lower octane rating than the recommended level (in this case 93), the torque figure is unchanged at 320 pound-feet. Below is the full comment:“We’ve no notion where this graphic originated, but if real, it may have been produced (as many training materials are), before final power certifications were complete. It is incorrect as the torque figure of 320 lb-ft does not change when using 87 octane fuel in the EcoBoost Mustang (lower octane fuel generally only affects horsepower numbers which occur at higher rpm). The 2.3-liter EcoBoost produces its rated power of 310 horsepower using its recommended fuel (93 octane), and like all modern engines, will proactively adapt to a lower octane fuel mixture. We publish power figures based on our recommended fuels, but peak horsepower would be reduced when using a fuel with a lower-than-recommended octane rating.”

It does. I use 93 exclusively, and every time I throw in 94, it feels like a shot of espresso was added to the tank, you feel the extra power thrown in.

It's worth it

I thought all 85 was E-85, which you're not supposed to run in the Bronco. High Ethanol content.

Polaris425

I thought all 85 was E-85, which you're not supposed to run in the Bronco. High Ethanol content.

No clue, I didn't use it, just saw it as an option..

I believe unless it specifically says “ethanol free” 85 octane fuel has ethanol in it and is not recommended for the Bronco..

In traveling across country we see a lot of 85 octane.

Bluestreak57

I believe unless it specifically says “ethanol free” 85 octane fuel has ethanol in it and is not recommended for the Bronco..

In traveling across country we see a lot of 85 octane.

All gas these days has Ethanol. If you look at the pumps they will all say "maximum 10% ethanol" on them. The E-85 however is more like 50%-80% depending on time of year I guess.

Unless you buy specifically non-ethanol gas (You'll know b/c it will cost about $1 more per gallon than 87oct), then you're getting ethanol (Again usually around 10%)

To the OP, if you have a vehicle that will run E85, and you fill up a tank with it you might notice some extra peppy-ness when driving. If im correct, then the E85 will give you a little more umph b/c of the alcohol content. You'll also burn it off quicker, seeing much worse MPG numbers (at least in my experience).

That's why you see race car drivers buying high-ethanol content gas. Alcohol makes you go faster. Kinda like just the right about of bourbon. 😂

Speed Devil

It does. I use 93 exclusively, and every time I throw in 94, it feels like a shot of espresso was added to the tank, you feel the extra power thrown in.

It's worth it

I also believe that it does make a difference, but I was hoping someone on this forum would be able to quantify the increase. That fact that I believe it makes a difference could be down to just pure wishing that it is indeed making a difference.