Premium Gasoline
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Tinley Park IL
Premium Gasoline
I am looking at buying a vette, not sure if I want a C3, C4, or C5. I am pretty sure C5s use premium, but not so sure about the C4s. With the price of gas these days, this is a concern of mine.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: Port Aransas TX
Fuel
Some LT1s will run OK on mid grade fuel and I have heard of guys running regular too (the ignition lead is pulled back if you get knocking). The LT4 is a premium only vehicle because of the incresed compression. I have only run LTX series engines so the other C4 owners will need to chime in about the tuned port etc. C4s.
Larry
Larry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
If you can't afford the gas wait till you need to fix it. If you can't afford to fill it up look for another car. Not being a wiseazz just fact if your worried about the cost before you buy it it is not for you cause it WILL cost you.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Independence Kentucky
I only use the best premium in my 96 LT1. If you're worried about the cost of gas you shouldn't be buying a vette!!! Everything that needs fixed will cost you, it's called the Corvette tax!!!! The happiness and excitement that my vette brings me far outways the cost!!!! 
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
20 gallons of the premium gas only costs about $4 more per fill up. Plus i'm not positive but some say you might increase your MPG since it burns cleaner and hotter.
I'm all for saving money but buying premium gas shouldn't be a factor when driving the corvette.
And just so you know my LT1 does run fine on 87octane.
I'm all for saving money but buying premium gas shouldn't be a factor when driving the corvette.
And just so you know my LT1 does run fine on 87octane.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
I have run 87 in my 89 L98 vette, you can feel the power loss from the computer pulling timing. It really does slow it down.
I have been contemplating retarding the base timing a few degrees to see if it will run ok on 87. It seems fine with mixed 89/91, no knocking, power loss.
I have been contemplating retarding the base timing a few degrees to see if it will run ok on 87. It seems fine with mixed 89/91, no knocking, power loss.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 1
From: Salem Oregon
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
No matter what I am not going to take a chance on anything less then premium. If it does the engine or anything else damage, how much would you actually save? Just my 2 cents worth!
Laura
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
20 gallons of the premium gas only costs about $4 more per fill up. Plus i'm not positive but some say you might increase your MPG since it burns cleaner and hotter.
I'm all for saving money but buying premium gas shouldn't be a factor when driving the corvette.
And just so you know my LT1 does run fine on 87octane.
I'm all for saving money but buying premium gas shouldn't be a factor when driving the corvette.
And just so you know my LT1 does run fine on 87octane.
All octane is, is a resistance to knock. The fuel burns slower so the mixture does not pre-ignite in the chamber at the higher compression. As you hit higher RPMs, if you have lower octane, it will start to ignite faster and may knock even if you are running adequate octane for that compression.
So, basically, you're fine with 87 until 9.5:1 on either heads, and 10:1 with aluminum. After that, it's your choice, but higher octane does not mean higher performance.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I have aprox. 9.6:1 with aluminum heads and I run 87 in mine. I run it hard and it never knocks.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Yeah sometimes I get the feeling i'm right on the threshold. When I get a new tune for my car i'll probably just go ahead and set it to run on mid-grade or something.
