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what octane is required?

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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 09:50 PM
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Default what octane is required?

This past December I bought an 85 cpe with 140K. I have given it a complete tune up. Even changed the fuel pump this weekend. It runs great. No fouled plugs or start up smoke. I have no history on the car or manual. What is the octane recommended by GM? I have been putting in premium and just wondering if Regular, Midgrade or Premium is recommended?
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 10:21 PM
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The LT1 requires 91 octane or higher. I don't think the L98 would be that much different.
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 10:30 PM
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the c/r for early L98's yrs 85-89 was rated at 9.5:1.....late L98's 90/91 were 10.25:1.....LT1's all 10.5:1.

i would run 87-89 octane for early L98's, 89-91 octane for late L98's, 91-93 octane for LT1.
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by pearlvette
What is the octane recommended by GM?
Owner's Manual recommends regular unleaded. OUr '85s are not high compression and run just fine on regular fuel of 87 octane.

Gary
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 10:57 PM
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 11:00 PM
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87 octane is recommended for your 85.

premium is not recommended, unless you're into spending more money for infinitesimally worse fuel mileage and performance.
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 11:04 PM
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CR for 85 is 9.0:1, so 87 octane is all that she should need.

Going to higher octane would only hurt performance.
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Old Mar 12, 2006 | 11:27 PM
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i stand corrected. the c/r for '85 was 9.0:1, same for '84. it got bumped to 9.5:1 for '86-89.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 12:50 AM
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Definetly 87 octane-anything above that for your year-and alot more years is useless!!!!!!!! I've been running 87 in my 87 for almost 7 years
with no problems-actually, if you do your research on line-you'll find
sometimes a higher octane rating actually hurts your performance and mileage
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 01:06 AM
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Premium is not better gas, it's different gas. They should be sued for calling it premium, it's a marketing ploy to sell it to those who don't need it.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 01:16 AM
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Originally Posted by Hot Rod 90
i stand corrected. the c/r for '85 was 9.0:1, same for '84. it got bumped to 9.5:1 for '86-89.
86E is also 9.0:1
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
Premium is not better gas, it's different gas. They should be sued for calling it premium, it's a marketing ploy to sell it to those who don't need it.
Its going up .20 cents on the central coast.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 02:26 AM
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Really? I could have swore that an '85s compression ratio was 8.5:1
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 03:05 AM
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premium likely contains more ether-MTBE than
regular, therefore premium has less energy
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 10:57 AM
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Premium gas smells like bananas in my area. Regular gas just stinks!
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 11:05 AM
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Originally Posted by kopbet89c4
Premium gas smells like bananas in my area. Regular gas just stinks!
ALRIGHT ALREADY!!! WE KNOW!!! - You know how Freud might interpret your obsession with these bananas!!?
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by vader86
86E is also 9.0:1
thanks for the info i'm obviously getting bum data, which irritates the living ---- out of me.
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To what octane is required?

Old Mar 13, 2006 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by vader86
CR for 85 is 9.0:1, so 87 octane is all that she should need.

Going to higher octane would only hurt performance.
I don't mean to be a smart a.. But how does running higher octaine in a lower compression car hurt performance?
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by tnrover
I don't mean to be a smart a.. But how does running higher octaine in a lower compression car hurt performance?
The only thing a higher octane provides is increased knock, or detonation suppression. Higher octane fuel burns slower, and containes fewer BTUs, so the less power it produces. Effectively, its like running less advanced timing.

Plus, slow burning causes fuel mileage to drop.

Low octane burns fast, which is needed in lower compression motors.
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Old Mar 13, 2006 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 4REGT4
ALRIGHT ALREADY!!! WE KNOW!!! - You know how Freud might interpret your obsession with these bananas!!?
Yeah, I already know. An oral fixation, correct??? I'll have to buy some banana bran muffins when I get a chance.
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