Why cant you run diesel instead of high oct gas?

[SpasticR450]

When you mod an engine you end up running race gas/ high octane or alcohol because its needed. Why cant you just run diesel instead?
:confused:

[coryatver]

diesel is only 15-25 octane

[quad2xtreme]

diesel only ignites under compression much higher than required for a gas engine. Diesel engines are in the neighborhood of 25:1 compression. Injectors spray the diesel into the engine but it is compression that fires it...not a spark plug.

[deathman53]

I though diesel was 40 octane rating, but yes, diesel motors run on extremely high compression and have no spark plug. Also, diesel won't burn/explode by a spark plug or even fire. Before anti-gelling stuff and stuff that you pour into the fuel filter, it was common practice to heat up the hose coming out the fuel filter to un-freeze the fuel.

[quad2xtreme]

You are getting octane and cetane ratings mixed up or assuming they are the same. They really aren't. High octane is a resistance to firing early due to higher compression and/or timing advances. High octane is to prevent early firing. Cetane is actually that you want the fuel to explode or combust easier. The higher the cetane the better it will combust easier.

[trailrider894]

:eek2: Why don't you just try it???

[FHKracingZ]

I believe my 2008 duramax is in the 17:1 range. I know of engine builders that have race motors near/over 16:1 for quads....reasonable question!

[quad2xtreme]

Read this starting at How diesel engines work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_engine


You will realize you can't use a carb to deliver the fuel. The air has to be in the cylinder first and compressed to cause extreme heat...then the fuel gets injected under high pressure. You can't have the diesel in their too early and have it fire. it will immediately cause the engine to run backwards...even though the fly wheel is trying to keep it moving in the correct direction.

Gas engines allow both in at once and the octane rating keeps it firing before the spark plug actually fires it.


If you can get it working though, you will have mastered what hundreds and hundreds of engineers couldn't at General Motors.

[Ruby Soho]

alot of race diesel engines lower compression. im assuming to rev up higher/quicker.

[quad2xtreme]

the biggest issue you have to overcome is getting the diesel into the cylinder after the compression occurs so the diesel doesn't fire too early thus pushing the piston back down before it even comes to TDC.

[Scro]

Regardless, if you try something like this, be sure to have the film rolling. Promptly post it here for our enjoyment.:p

[YFZ-FoFiddy-TC]

Instead of oil, switch to water. Why pay for that overpriced junk when water can be had for free?!

[trick450r]

Originally posted by Ruby Soho
alot of race diesel engines lower compression. im assuming to rev up higher/quicker.

That, and so they can take a lot more boost without blowing an hg, lifting the heads etc.

[beastlywarrior]

How slo

[trailrider894]

Still think you should just put some diesel in that " thing " you drive and see what happens...

This is common sense stuff man, if it was possible to run diesel in a High Comp setup don't you think people would have been doing it already??? So clearly the reason why no one is doing it is because its just not all that do-able... go back to creating your own alcohol and burning that...