Premium or not ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'14
They don't come filled from the factory. I believe they put in a gallon or so. The early C4's called for regular gas and run fine if everything is stock including the timing at 6 degrees. Not sure what octane was called for in the later models - someone will come along shortly and fill in the blanks. Seems to me this was a long thread about a week or so ago.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 14
From: POINT PLEASANT NEW JERSEY
In todays business environment and judging on how poorly GM's stock is performing...I wouldn't put it past them. Then add that to the sleazy Car Dealerships......thats another tank of the cheapest bottom of the barrel third world grade gasoline thats placed into a new Vette before it is saved by a new owner. Thankfully the dealers will comp you at best an 1/8th of a tank!!!
As far a myself and probably every other forum member if they would allow me the honor...I would not put anything in my Vette other than PREMIUM!!!
As far a myself and probably every other forum member if they would allow me the honor...I would not put anything in my Vette other than PREMIUM!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Chewch87
In todays business environment and judging on how poorly GM's stock is performing...I wouldn't put it past them. Then add that to the sleazy Car Dealerships......thats another tank of the cheapest bottom of the barrel third world grade gasoline thats placed into a new Vette before it is saved by a new owner. Thankfully the dealers will comp you at best an 1/8th of a tank!!!
As far a myself and probably every other forum member if they would allow me the honor...I would not put anything in my Vette other than PREMIUM!!!
As far a myself and probably every other forum member if they would allow me the honor...I would not put anything in my Vette other than PREMIUM!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
Thats odd; my `87 runs just fine in mid grade. The only thing you need high test gas for, is to keep the engine from detonation (pinging). If the car does not ping on 87 octane, then you can use it. 93 octane is not "better" gas, its just less volitile than 87.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
My LT1 definitely ran worse when I experimented with regular. Although the manual called for premium, my understanding was that the car would run fine on regular, with the knock sensor protecting the engine from pinging under load. I quickly concluded that the difference was noticeable and the extra $.20/gallon was well worth spending. I think the higher compression of the LT1 engine is why premium is so critical.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
Likes: 1,740
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
All depends on compression ratio, and with the LT1's higher compression, mid-grade is as low as you could go and premium is recommended.
But the only way to definitely be sure is to hook up a scanner and check for knock counts. You want to run the lowest octane possible in an engine that doesnt lead to knock.
But the only way to definitely be sure is to hook up a scanner and check for knock counts. You want to run the lowest octane possible in an engine that doesnt lead to knock.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Originally Posted by blackLT496
mine says either on the dash or under the gas door "premium unleaded fuel required"
I think mine says that too. I will have to check.
In the 6+ years I've owned mine, I think i've only ever put 1-2 tanks of cheap gas in. I noticed my gas milage went way down on those occations. Other than testing it with other grades, it's never seen anything but premium.
I switch every 3-4th tank in my Tiburon with premium to clean the system out, but I run regular in that most of the time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Originally Posted by Steel Blue 91
The owners manual for my 91 says a minimum of 91 octane.
I'm burning mid grade in mine (89 octane) and it seems to be doing ok, but I'm taking it easy with it.
It won't really matter for much longer anyway....experts are predicting $4-$5 a gallon by mid summer, so nobody is going to be much driving for a while. I've got 3 vehicles, so the Vette will be sitting.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Originally Posted by CMYC4GO
It says recomended.......I'm burning mid grade in mine (89 octane) and it seems to be doing ok, but I'm taking it easy with it.
It won't really matter for much longer anyway....experts are predicting $4-$5 a gallon by mid summer, so nobody is going to be much driving for a while. I've got 3 vehicles, so the Vette will be sitting.
It won't really matter for much longer anyway....experts are predicting $4-$5 a gallon by mid summer, so nobody is going to be much driving for a while. I've got 3 vehicles, so the Vette will be sitting.
On my 92, under the fuel door, it says "Use Premium Unleaded Fuel Only"
I have three vehicles too but my Vette isn't going to sit - one of the other vehicles is a 2005 Chevy Tahoe Z71 which doesn't get the mileage the vette gets. I guess the kids will be staying home alot while the wife and I do the vacationing! (yeah, that will be the day!)
Last edited by NEVRL8T; Apr 19, 2006 at 11:57 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 24
From: Hurst Texas
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Considering my bad habits of putting my foot in it a bit heavy and the short trips I usually use it for I still get pretty good mileage (Compared to the SUV) Its waaaay more fun to drive... and the $.20 /gallon don't add up to all that much...so I go with the "recommended" Premium.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I've only ever put premium in my '96. Recommended or not, the price difference isn't enough to justify me not using the best. I don't drive it all that much anyway, so over the course of a year it costs me ~$50 extra.
Peace of mind for $50 a year is a bargain these days.
Peace of mind for $50 a year is a bargain these days.