A few basic L-82 performance questions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Lansing MI
A few basic L-82 performance questions.
So whats the recommended octane rating for a stock '79 L-82?
What kind of fuel additives would you guys recommend?
What's your preferred oil and filter?
I don't race the car, but I don't baby her either.
Just looking for any opinions I can get.
Thanks
What kind of fuel additives would you guys recommend?
What's your preferred oil and filter?
I don't race the car, but I don't baby her either.
Just looking for any opinions I can get.
Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
The standard answer on octane rating is to try several different ratings and use the lowest octane that doesn't cause pinging under load. While that doesn't really answer your question, it's probably the best you can do. Make sure the engine is properly tuned...timing, carb adjustment, etc.
Talking about fuel additives is opening a can of worms...everyone swears by or at them. My Dad swore by Marvel Mystery Oil...others like something different or none at all. For me, I've found about the only fuel additive that is worth the effort is a good fuel line antifreeze and water absorber.
Motor oils and filters is another can of worms. To me, even the house brand oil is better than the best available was available when the car was first built. The secret is regular oil and filter changes. Any good make filter should be fine, though many will disagree and have a favorite brand oil and filter. Go with whatever you like and keep it changed regularly. Regular oil and filter changes with WalMart brand oil at 3000 mile intervals is better than 7500 miles changes with a name brand as far as I'm concerned. There are no Mom and Pop oil refineries...they have to meet certain specs. The difference may be in the additive packages, but they're still designed to do the same thing.
Talking about fuel additives is opening a can of worms...everyone swears by or at them. My Dad swore by Marvel Mystery Oil...others like something different or none at all. For me, I've found about the only fuel additive that is worth the effort is a good fuel line antifreeze and water absorber.
Motor oils and filters is another can of worms. To me, even the house brand oil is better than the best available was available when the car was first built. The secret is regular oil and filter changes. Any good make filter should be fine, though many will disagree and have a favorite brand oil and filter. Go with whatever you like and keep it changed regularly. Regular oil and filter changes with WalMart brand oil at 3000 mile intervals is better than 7500 miles changes with a name brand as far as I'm concerned. There are no Mom and Pop oil refineries...they have to meet certain specs. The difference may be in the additive packages, but they're still designed to do the same thing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 428
From: Seattle Area WA
Why do you think you need a fuel additive for a low compression L-82, it should run fine on premium unleaded. A lot of folks like to use the 15W-40 motor oils since they have a higher zinc content, however if you have the original cat converter this is not a good idea since the resultant byproducts kill those converters. A NAPA gold filter is about as good as a filter that you'll need.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
I have a 73 with 350-250hp , Edlebrock Performer, Headers w 2 1/2 pipes and flow delta 50's. I run 89 octane with no issues. I use Techron fuel additive twice a year. 15W-40 Rotella oil in summer, significant increase in OP with this oil. Car runs great! Others will have different opinions, bu these options work well for me.
I agree with Roughrider, make sure your car is properly tuned!
I agree with Roughrider, make sure your car is properly tuned!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Lansing MI
Thanks. I don't really hear any pinging with the way I drive, and have been using 87. I was thinking about going up to 89 after this tank, but I may reconsider.
An antifreeze/water absorber additve doesn't sound like a bad idea. Right now I'm not using anything.
I'll bet synthetic vs. regular oil would be opening up another can of worms
An antifreeze/water absorber additve doesn't sound like a bad idea. Right now I'm not using anything.
I'll bet synthetic vs. regular oil would be opening up another can of worms
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
You're absolutely right on the synthetic vs. dino oil controversy. Absolutely nothing wrong with synthetic...it is a superior product, but I would use it in a new or newly rebuilt engine after break-in. It really serves no real purpose to put it in a higher mileage engine...you won't really gain any advantage...performance or dollar-wise. If the seals on your engine have shrunk over time, synthetic can even leak due to its smaller molecular structure.
Stick with a good conventional motor oil and if you ever rebuild or replace the engine with a crate one, then consider synthetic.
Stick with a good conventional motor oil and if you ever rebuild or replace the engine with a crate one, then consider synthetic.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
For me , I use either regular mobile 1 or castrol GTX oil 10W-40 or right now 20W-50.
And I like the STP oil filters from AutoZone.
the Fram I took off was pluged up.
A long time ago I used Exxon oil and lost all oil pressure and had to pull over right on the curb and drain it and walk to the parts store and get Castrol GTX 10W40 and change the oil and 79 Cutlass ran perfect until I sold it!
Don't use any additive unless its STP gas treatment or gas line antifreeze.
I try to use Marvels mystry oil and all it does for me is make the car smoke, and CD2 oil additive made the lifters clatter.
other wise run a trickel of water down the carb at fast idel and it will do as good cleaning out the valves and cylinders for free as the $4.99 stuff does.
*89 octane gas or if you have a real good tune up 93 will smell like racing fuel!
And I like the STP oil filters from AutoZone.
the Fram I took off was pluged up.
A long time ago I used Exxon oil and lost all oil pressure and had to pull over right on the curb and drain it and walk to the parts store and get Castrol GTX 10W40 and change the oil and 79 Cutlass ran perfect until I sold it!
Don't use any additive unless its STP gas treatment or gas line antifreeze.
I try to use Marvels mystry oil and all it does for me is make the car smoke, and CD2 oil additive made the lifters clatter.
other wise run a trickel of water down the carb at fast idel and it will do as good cleaning out the valves and cylinders for free as the $4.99 stuff does.
*89 octane gas or if you have a real good tune up 93 will smell like racing fuel!
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8th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
when i first bought my L-82 (it's a 77) back in 2000 and not knowing too much about the car, i thought 93 octane was the answer. now, that was based on my knowledge of corvettes back in the late 60's when aviation gas was all the rage. like several others have reported, try different octanes and see what works best. for mine, 87 octane worked until i had the engine completely rebuilt and upgraded. now it runs great on 93. 