Fuel change from VP to Sunoco

4543 · 02-05-2015, 10:55 AM

When changing fro VP to Sunoco is anyone having problems with fuel check? Seems like people always used to have trouble when changing from one fuel to another. Do you do anything to flush tank and lines? Thanks

Mike Pearson · 02-05-2015, 12:46 PM

If you have foam in the fuel cell you could have problems. Especially if the color of the fuel is radically different. I haven't had too much problem going from C-12 to Sunoco blue. But going the other way from Sunoco blue to C-12 they always question the color of the fuel. C-11 is even more of a challenge. Pump the cell dry then add a small amount of the new fuel and pump it through then fill the cell with the new fuel and you should be OK. Best off to go to fuel check before the first run to check and make sure the new fuel will pass

Michael Beard · 02-05-2015, 01:27 PM

I swap fuel frequently throughout the year because I have no place to put a drum, so I buy whatever's at the track. I've never found C-12 at any non-LODRS/Nat'l event, so whenever I'd go bracket racing, I'd end up with a mix of stuff, then have to go through the process much like Mike describes every time I went back to an NHRA event. My car's fuel injected, so I'm dealing with a return line, but use that to my advantage. With the power off, I turn on the fuel pump switch, disconnect the return line at the fuel cell and connect a temporary piece of line to run into a fuel jug. I use the master cutoff switch to run the pump until the cell is *almost* empty (don't run the pump dry!) Add a splash of the fresh gas and pump it down again to make sure the return line is flushed. Fill, and reconnect return line, go race.

The only time I've ever had a problem was one time with the Turismo. I learned that with the stock fuel tank, the pickup was a little higher than expected, so it wasn't flushing enough of the tank. The next time, I backed the car onto the trailer ramps to get it nose-down enough, and never had a problem again.

Bryan Worner · 02-05-2015, 03:50 PM

I've gone from Sunoco Blue, to C11, to Sunoco Blue at the same event and had no issues. Also did the same with Sunoco Purple when I used to run that. If there was any fuel left before I poured the new in, it was long gone by the time I got to the next fuel check.

MikeMoller · 02-06-2015, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

Best off to go to fuel check before the first run to check and make sure the new fuel will pass

X2 - I do that at every event.

Mike Croley · 02-07-2015, 09:39 PM

If you change brands often, it's always a good idea to take a sample to fuel check right away. And in fact that's probably not a bad idea for any racer. There haven't been any reports that i've heard of concerning Renegade fuels not passing tech, and some brands seem to fail constantly.
But the handling of fuel samples is very important in passing tech. Cleanliness is most important of course, also glass containers, not allowing any sunlight to get to the sample, not allowing any contaminants at all from the fuel or air into the sample, and making sure the fuel system is flushed out properly if you do change brands or blends.

Andys dad · 02-08-2015, 10:03 AM

Many fuel check issues with SR118. Maybe others as well.

Many very experience racers who knew enough to flush entire system and did not have foam in tank failed.

Corporate SUNOCO guy told me he went to fuel check and asked them to "relax".

One sample directly from their can failed. Some cars tried after multiple runs - figuring they would get it right - they did not.

Of course this is only information from someone who was there (me). I was told to ask Stevie Wann - could not find him before I left yesterday - I will try again today.

It is cheaper but does not pass fuel check yet

Finally - a very respected racer told me it makes less power on the dyno than C25 - most comp guys are not going to use it even when it is authorized by NHRA.

I guess pro stock is using it but who knows.

We will stay with C25 for now,

Casey Miles · 02-08-2015, 08:30 PM

I've been using Sunoco for years now because it's cheaper to buy, $8.35 gallon last time I got it. The fuel will pass a check even after 1.5 years in container. It lost it's color but still passed and I was told to put some fresher fuel so that they could see it's purple.

Casey Miles
248H

Duster 7695 · 02-09-2015, 12:54 AM

For those who will attend the National and Divisional at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix and use Sunoco Purple(110) you can save $2.50 a gallon if you buy it across the freeway at the Loves gas station. It is $7.49 a gallon. I have used it for the past 5 years and have never failed a fuel check.

Raul

4543 · 02-09-2015, 08:43 AM

I am a little concerned about switching fuels. My fuel cell has never had anything in it except C11 and it does have the foam in it. Guess I will just try and flush and see what happens. Thanks for the responses.

02-05-2015, 10:55 AM	#1
4543 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 638 Likes: 57 Liked 634 Times in 139 Posts	Fuel change from VP to Sunoco When changing fro VP to Sunoco is anyone having problems with fuel check? Seems like people always used to have trouble when changing from one fuel to another. Do you do anything to flush tank and lines? Thanks

02-05-2015, 12:46 PM	#2
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,443 Likes: 613 Liked 1,916 Times in 574 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco If you have foam in the fuel cell you could have problems. Especially if the color of the fuel is radically different. I haven't had too much problem going from C-12 to Sunoco blue. But going the other way from Sunoco blue to C-12 they always question the color of the fuel. C-11 is even more of a challenge. Pump the cell dry then add a small amount of the new fuel and pump it through then fill the cell with the new fuel and you should be OK. Best off to go to fuel check before the first run to check and make sure the new fuel will pass __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

02-05-2015, 01:27 PM	#3
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco I swap fuel frequently throughout the year because I have no place to put a drum, so I buy whatever's at the track. I've never found C-12 at any non-LODRS/Nat'l event, so whenever I'd go bracket racing, I'd end up with a mix of stuff, then have to go through the process much like Mike describes every time I went back to an NHRA event. My car's fuel injected, so I'm dealing with a return line, but use that to my advantage. With the power off, I turn on the fuel pump switch, disconnect the return line at the fuel cell and connect a temporary piece of line to run into a fuel jug. I use the master cutoff switch to run the pump until the cell is almost empty (don't run the pump dry!) Add a splash of the fresh gas and pump it down again to make sure the return line is flushed. Fill, and reconnect return line, go race. The only time I've ever had a problem was one time with the Turismo. I learned that with the stock fuel tank, the pickup was a little higher than expected, so it wasn't flushing enough of the tank. The next time, I backed the car onto the trailer ramps to get it nose-down enough, and never had a problem again. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

02-05-2015, 03:50 PM	#4
Bryan Worner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Duncannon, PA Posts: 819 Likes: 131 Liked 478 Times in 80 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco I've gone from Sunoco Blue, to C11, to Sunoco Blue at the same event and had no issues. Also did the same with Sunoco Purple when I used to run that. If there was any fuel left before I poured the new in, it was long gone by the time I got to the next fuel check.

02-07-2015, 09:39 PM	#6
Mike Croley Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 182 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco If you change brands often, it's always a good idea to take a sample to fuel check right away. And in fact that's probably not a bad idea for any racer. There haven't been any reports that i've heard of concerning Renegade fuels not passing tech, and some brands seem to fail constantly. But the handling of fuel samples is very important in passing tech. Cleanliness is most important of course, also glass containers, not allowing any sunlight to get to the sample, not allowing any contaminants at all from the fuel or air into the sample, and making sure the fuel system is flushed out properly if you do change brands or blends.

02-08-2015, 10:03 AM	#7
Andys dad VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arcadia, Ca Posts: 1,571 Likes: 48 Liked 175 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco Many fuel check issues with SR118. Maybe others as well. Many very experience racers who knew enough to flush entire system and did not have foam in tank failed. Corporate SUNOCO guy told me he went to fuel check and asked them to "relax". One sample directly from their can failed. Some cars tried after multiple runs - figuring they would get it right - they did not. Of course this is only information from someone who was there (me). I was told to ask Stevie Wann - could not find him before I left yesterday - I will try again today. It is cheaper but does not pass fuel check yet Finally - a very respected racer told me it makes less power on the dyno than C25 - most comp guys are not going to use it even when it is authorized by NHRA. I guess pro stock is using it but who knows. We will stay with C25 for now, __________________ time is our most precious resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time spend your time wisely with the ones you love - Ron Durham Last edited by Andys dad; 02-08-2015 at 10:13 AM.

02-08-2015, 08:30 PM	#8
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 703 Likes: 127 Liked 488 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco I've been using Sunoco for years now because it's cheaper to buy, $8.35 gallon last time I got it. The fuel will pass a check even after 1.5 years in container. It lost it's color but still passed and I was told to put some fresher fuel so that they could see it's purple. Casey Miles 248H

02-09-2015, 12:54 AM	#9
Duster 7695 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 140 Likes: 1 Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco For those who will attend the National and Divisional at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix and use Sunoco Purple(110) you can save $2.50 a gallon if you buy it across the freeway at the Loves gas station. It is $7.49 a gallon. I have used it for the past 5 years and have never failed a fuel check. Raul

02-09-2015, 08:43 AM	#10
4543 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 638 Likes: 57 Liked 634 Times in 139 Posts	Re: Fuel change from VP to Sunoco I am a little concerned about switching fuels. My fuel cell has never had anything in it except C11 and it does have the foam in it. Guess I will just try and flush and see what happens. Thanks for the responses.