I have a 16 to 1 compression ratio 638 ON GAS, usually 116 octane, and wondered if anyone warms up their engine on regular gas, at idle, then switches to race gas in the tank.

I did this at my farm and didn't see any issues, but wondered if this was a good idea. I don't mean decking it on the trans brake, just idle, under 2000 rpm.

My dragster is only 14:1, but when I use my primer I keep an unscientific mix of roughly 4 parts premium unleaded and one part 110 race gas.

With just unleaded, it would tend to 'run on' a little bit when shutting off the engine after it was warm/hot.

I believe most people do just run pump gas in the primer, or at least that is what I was told to do.

I mix 3 gallons regular unleaded to 2 gallons 110 race gas in a 5 gallon jug, done that for years with the Ron's primer plus.

We drive around on 90 octane pump gas then switch to methanol at head of staging with the terminators.

If I run 87 it will diesel sometimes when hot at 14.5:1. Blower motor never has at 12.2:1.

Something like Tony's unscientific mix of about a gallon of race fuel to 4 of pump gas will probably work well.

What's the objective here?

Mine is 14-1 sbc and run exclusively on 91/93 pump gas with a primer plus plate when not on the racing surface.

We do the same as markemark. Never a problem.

14:1 with primer and never had a problem on 87 octane

I think you kind of have to try it. I have a gas carb for cold weather and if I use regular 100% gas 87 octane I get run on after it warms up. I run my engine on gas at the end of the year to put it away if I'm not pulling it out.

I have started using the 94 octane VP lawn mower fuel from Tractor Supply and have no problems with it. I know you aren't doing what I am but my 13-1 small block doesn't like 87 is what I am long windedly saying. LOL I think you have to test it.

I am alky injected, but i have a rons primer plus, and warm mine up with everyones left over race gas, or worse case by the cheapest 110 i can find. the primer plus works with a carb as well.

On 116 fuel that's easily a $30-$35 warm up cycle.
Consider putting an oil and coolant heater(s) on it.
Kats engine heaters work really well.

I agree with Goob. I use Kats block heaters no matter what the temperature is. I have found by turning the idle mixture screws in 1/2 turn for warmup is using 50% less methanol and hits 190 in less than half the time. I use a magnet with a screw driver attached to steering wheel to remind me to reset idle mixture. At 75, I need "reminders"!!
Jok

My old engine was 16.5:1, warmed it up on regular all the time zero issues. One thing to remember is there is no load on the engine...octane requirements then aren't really very high. Planning to do the same thing on my current 17.72:1 setup.