2019 test2 productsFuel & Additives

Which Engine Fuel Brand Wins?

A head-to-head test of 2 engine fuel options with the measured results for each. See how they ranked and watch the full test video.

The verdict
Ranked first

Jet Fuel (Jet A / JP-8)

Check price on Amazon

Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The measured results

Every number below is read straight from the test. Scroll sideways to see all measurements. Products are listed in the order they finished.

ProductSmall carbureted engine (see-through cylinder head)Fuel-injected generator under loadWankel rotary engine (on loan, run on RC racing fuel first)Baseline runs (all engines)
1Jet Fuel (Jet A / JP-8)ran fairly good on jet fuel; carbon build-up on the cylinder head was not too bad, but there was quite a bit of carbon around the intake valve and down around the exhaust valve; engine was likely running a little lean because kerosene's viscosity is greater than gasoline and the carburetor is non-adjustableseemed to run better on jet fuel than on E10 gasolineengine survived running on jet fuel; goal was to spin it past 30,000 RPM but no confirmed achieved RPM figure is spoken in the transcriptnot tested
2Gasoline (E10)not testedran acceptably but described as running less well than jet fuel in this specific testnot testedused as the baseline/control fuel before switching each engine to jet fuel

How it was tested

  • small carbureted engine (see-through cylinder head) run on jet fuel after a gasoline baseline, checking flame color, overheating, and power
  • fuel-injected generator run on jet fuel vs E10 gasoline under an applied load
  • Wankel rotary engine (borrowed from Warped Perception channel) run on jet fuel after first running on RC racing fuel, targeting over 30,000 RPM
Data notes and caveats

This is a fuel experiment/myth-test, not a branded product comparison: no competing brands, models, or prices are involved, so isHeadToHead is false and winner/runnerUp/budgetPick are null by design (per the spec's myth-test handling). All results are qualitative; the transcript never states a confirmed achieved RPM, compression, or other measured figure, only qualitative descriptions ('ran fairly good', 'better than E10'). The only clear verdict-style statement is a caution against long-term use of jet fuel in gasoline engines due to pre-ignition risk, which is captured in product notes rather than as a winner claim. Chapters (out of gasoline, new spark plug/headgasket, cold start on jet fuel, warm-up on gasoline, running great, running on straight jet fuel) align cleanly with the narrated sequence.

More Fuel & Additives