Who runs theres on normal unleaded then, do you use a additive or not? Im just curious as when LRP was banned by the tree huggers I switched to unleaded wtihout any hitches so far, I do use superplus though these days.

Thanks for you input.

suer plus, as long as its less than a quid a litre.
gets a bit more complicated if you've got a six cylinder I'm afraid as they need lead or head work.

On Ramon's advice the timing on mine is reduced from 10 degrees to 5-6 degrees BTDC. With it like this it's fine on supermarket 95RON unleaded. Most supers seem to be 97RON.

In honestly I think you could get quite close, if not on the orignal 10 degrees setting, especially with the 97. I suppose full throttle on a baking hot day would be the acid test. I wonder how much of a safety factor rover included with the 10 degrees?

Are people running standard timing on 95 RON without any problems?

I'm running 95RON through mine without any problems, but I've probably only just got through 1 tank in total since I've had it.

My local Tesco sell 99RON so might try a few fill ups with that to see if it made any difference. At some point I'll also check the timing to see what it's running at.

I'm running my Vitesse on 95 RON, the cheaper the better at (i think) 8 degrees BTDC. (It could well be 6, I can't remember; it's whatever is in the book).

I'm towing a caravan through our beautiful Welsh mountains next week with her, so I was thinking of going super unleaded. I put some 97 RON in, but that hasn't made any difference.
Anyone got any ideas?
I've pulled the van with her before (anyone heard of the Rhuallt Hill?), there was no pinking at all, but I want to give her the best chance of a blemish-free holiday.
I've just changed the engine and gearbox oils, so i'm happy there!
PS I've always given Tesco's petrol a swerve...
Cheers
Tommo

I run my Vitesse on Super unleaded and get a little bit more to the gallon against std unleaded

how do I know if my 2600 auto has been converted? i bought it on thursday. Other than strong smell of exhaust inside the cabin i can't tell what's already been done

As a 2300 owner myself I researched this and was informed by several people who ought to know, that as the six cylinders have alloy heads, the valves already have hardened inserts fitted, and it will run just fine on regular unleaded.

If the inserts are really not as hard as they ought to be it really doesn't matter because the engine will seize its cam or blow the water pump before the valve seats go anyway, and then you can put a V8 in.

There is some info on unleaded fuel and SD1s here:

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You'd only be able to tell any changes if you had the head
off (even then not sure how you'd tell?).

Exhaust fumes in the cabin can be a result of a 'non-standard'
exhaust. The straight exit tailpipe, rather than the SD1 dog-leg,
can introduce fumes through the tailgate. The dog-leg is there
to stop fumes getting into the cabin, after all.

I've changed my tailpipe from a centre exit to the 'swan neck', and it didn't seem to make any difference; there is still a lot of fumes coming in, albiet only when I open my window. Window up, all is well.
I suspect my Vitesse is a fan of overfuelling, which makes it smelly anyway. People who have followed me say it stinks.
This is not the first time people have complained about the fumes form my exhaust either!!!!
Cheers,

Normal petrol for me!

It says on the back of the non-v8 handbooks(Series 2):

Handbook wrote:

Fuel Grade 4 star UK Rating Octane Rating 97 minimum

See here for some info on valve seat erosion:

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The basic gist is that any aluminium head will be suitable for unleaded.

i use castrol lead replacement/octane booster supposedly one of few additives that passed testing and reported to work unlike most others .No probs but costs a bit.I always suffered fumes in car .tail gate kept buckling with tail fin after short term .Fin seemed to multiply suction of fumes tenfold compared to not being on .40 mph dangerous levels of gasses Welded a frame to rear of car + perspex to seal up boot for fumes + get rid of water ingress issues.Spoiler bolted onto inch box frame much better-rigid.