What Octane
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Canutillo Texas
What Octane
Hi, I actually own a 76 vette, but I had a friend install an l98 engine from a 92 z28 in my car. That said I figured that it was probably essentially the same engine that was in a 91 corvette before thay switched to an lt1. Anyway I am wondering what octane am I supposed to use? And what is the lowest octane I could use without it being bad for my engine?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: Sparta Mo.
If it has cast iron heads, I would use 91 or 92. (what ever "super" is around you) If you have aluminum heads, you could probably get away with 89. Aluminum disapates heat much faster than iron and there is less likely a chance to have detonation in the cylender.
That engine should have 10:1 pistons in it if it's just like the 'Vette engine. That's why you need the higher octane. I'm not sure about the Camaro, but I know for a fact the 'Vette engine is the one they put into police cruisers back in the day. The garage I worked for, worked on the local police cars. When one of them blew up I had to rebuild it. 10:1, four bolt main, L98. I even had to order Corvette specific parts, because everything they sent me for a Caprice was way wrong.
That engine should have 10:1 pistons in it if it's just like the 'Vette engine. That's why you need the higher octane. I'm not sure about the Camaro, but I know for a fact the 'Vette engine is the one they put into police cruisers back in the day. The garage I worked for, worked on the local police cars. When one of them blew up I had to rebuild it. 10:1, four bolt main, L98. I even had to order Corvette specific parts, because everything they sent me for a Caprice was way wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,030
Likes: 10
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Check this thread out, there was some very good info. in there
Jim
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=octane
Jim
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=octane
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
You "should" be able to use 87 without a problem. That's what your knock sensor is for. If your computer senses knock, it will retard the timing a bit to compensate, but you'll lose some power. Try it and see what happens. Fill the car when it's low, with about 5 gallons of 87 and see (listen) what happens. If no knock, fill er' up with all 87. Even if the knock sensor doesn't retard the timing, you still may lose a little power due to the lower octane. But it should barely be much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Jasper Texas
My knock sensor was throwing codes when I was running 93, so I stepped up to 100, no more codes and car runs great. Not recommending that to you, just using my situation as an example.
I ran 87 in my L98 Trans Am with no problems, so you should be able to get away with it.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
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