Which Octane?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 162
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From: PA
Which Octane?
I'm sure this has been bought up many times?, but as a new Vette owner I have to ask,,, What Octane gas do you run in your Vette? I looked in my owners manual for my 86 and found no specification other than not to run leaded fuel and issues about running methanol, no octane rating,,,, So since I picked this thing up I've been feeding it nothing but 93 Octane! Seems to like it! :yesnod:
Do any of you get by using 89? I know I'd never run 87 in it because I already know that my Suburban can't stand the stuff! :rolleyes:
Just curious? :chevy
Do any of you get by using 89? I know I'd never run 87 in it because I already know that my Suburban can't stand the stuff! :rolleyes:
Just curious? :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
I am running a slightly modified L98 with high swirl heads. In normal city driving I can't tell the difference between 89 and 93. Most vette owners use the highest they can get,usually 93.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 301
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Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
highest octane rating offer by the gas station is recommended. 92 or 93
Higher octane will give you maximum performance out of vette.
Any others like unleaded 89 or 86 will degrade your vette's performance; they still can be used, but not recommended.
I'm not so sure about SUV though. Always consult a owner's manual.
:seeya :auto: :steering: :cheers: :conehead :hat :p: :troll :chevy ;) :thumbs:
Higher octane will give you maximum performance out of vette.
Any others like unleaded 89 or 86 will degrade your vette's performance; they still can be used, but not recommended.
I'm not so sure about SUV though. Always consult a owner's manual.
:seeya :auto: :steering: :cheers: :conehead :hat :p: :troll :chevy ;) :thumbs:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
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From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
Owner's manual in my '88 recommends 89 octane. Since the elevation is so high where I live in TX, I can run 87 octan all day long with no spark retard.
On a stock l98, higher octan will NOT always result in higher performance. Once you find the lowest octane where you can go WOT with no spark retard, you will be making the most power.
On a stock l98, higher octan will NOT always result in higher performance. Once you find the lowest octane where you can go WOT with no spark retard, you will be making the most power.
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Re: Which Octane? (TA)
TA hit it on the head. It's a proven fact that the most HP, smoothest operation and best gas mileage comes from the lowest octane that your motor can run without pinging. (and in this particular case, it seems that the corvettes require premium)
Mark
[Modified by C4 Newbie, 11:43 AM 10/26/2003]
Mark
[Modified by C4 Newbie, 11:43 AM 10/26/2003]
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Which Octane?
Higher octane will give you maximum performance out of vette.
Chevrolet does not specify an octane rating for your vette, so it should run on 87 octane. BUT... your engine's condition, your altitude, outside temperature, all effect your necessary octane rating to avoid pinging.
Your question should not be "which octane?" it should be: "how to I check for preignition?
That being said, I typically run 89 or 91.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 422
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From: Grand Island NE
Re: Which Octane? (CentralCoaster)
Would you give you dog "**** water" or "spring well water". :jester
I use 91 octane.I never tried 87 or 89? Gas price's suck but for $2.50 more a fill, 91 it is. :thumbs:
I use 91 octane.I never tried 87 or 89? Gas price's suck but for $2.50 more a fill, 91 it is. :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: I live in my own little world
NC Events Coordinator
Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
The station i buy 90% of my gas at offers 93 octane, so that's what i get...but nothing less than 91 octane EVER goes into my tank. Some folks can run ok on 89, but i can DEFINITELY tell the difference!!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: Which Octane? (Alchemist)
Where I buy my gas, there are only 2 choices. They have 87 or 93 octane. I have an '88 'Vette and a '96 Olds Aurora. They both get the 93 octane. The owners manual specifically states that a minumum of 91 octane must be used and that using a lower octane fuel can cause engine damage.
Here is why. The newer cars have computer controlled ignition and fuel systems. They have a knock sensor that will retard the timing if spark knock is detected. It can only retard the ignition a finite amount. If you run a lower octane fuel than what the engine can run on without premature detonation, it's like hitting the top of you pistons with a hammer. You may be able to do it a few times but, sooner or later you will kick out a rod or burn a piston.
Chances are, you will not hear spark knock on the newer computer controlled vehicles. :smash: :smash: Even if it is present.
Mike.
Here is why. The newer cars have computer controlled ignition and fuel systems. They have a knock sensor that will retard the timing if spark knock is detected. It can only retard the ignition a finite amount. If you run a lower octane fuel than what the engine can run on without premature detonation, it's like hitting the top of you pistons with a hammer. You may be able to do it a few times but, sooner or later you will kick out a rod or burn a piston.
Chances are, you will not hear spark knock on the newer computer controlled vehicles. :smash: :smash: Even if it is present.
Mike.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 162
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From: PA
Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
:lol:
No I would not give my dog "**** Water" :eek: She has enough problems! :lol:
Thanks for the thoughts guys, I was just curious! ;) Nothing less than the 93 will be going in my tank! :thumbs:
I believe the last time I had to use high test in a car, it was for my 442 and I was using Sunoco 260 at .50 cents a gallon! :eek: That's a long time ago! :lol:
[Modified by loknload, 1:50 PM 10/26/2003]
No I would not give my dog "**** Water" :eek: She has enough problems! :lol:
Thanks for the thoughts guys, I was just curious! ;) Nothing less than the 93 will be going in my tank! :thumbs:
I believe the last time I had to use high test in a car, it was for my 442 and I was using Sunoco 260 at .50 cents a gallon! :eek: That's a long time ago! :lol:
[Modified by loknload, 1:50 PM 10/26/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,203
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
Re: Which Octane? (CentralCoaster)
Your question should not be "which octane?" it should be: "how to I check for preignition?
That being said, I typically run 89 or 91.
That being said, I typically run 89 or 91.
Threadkiller
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,306
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From: Long Island, NY
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09
Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
My 84 says to run regular, so that's what I do. For the few cents a gellon more though, I'll probably run 89 in it, whenver I get it back.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Which Octane? (loknload)
91 octane is the highest available here so thats what I run. Ive tried 87 and it idles really bad. It seems to be ok with Plus which is 89 octane but I think, and I could be wrong, but I think it runs better on premium so thats what I use. I dont drive it enough for the difference in cost to be more than a few bucks a month anyway so why not use the best and be sure? :thumbs: