what gas to run
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
unless you have an exotic car (not normal Corvettes), run the lowest grade gas you can. If it knocks, then move up to the next level. Sometimes gunk buildup on the heads and valves will increase the compression ratio, causing you to need higher octane gas. But an engine in good condition should be fine with 87.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
unless you have an exotic car (not normal Corvettes), run the lowest grade gas you can. If it knocks, then move up to the next level. Sometimes gunk buildup on the heads and valves will increase the compression ratio, causing you to need higher octane gas. But an engine in good condition should be fine with 87.
Let the tank get almost empty then get a half tank of regular and see how she runs.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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Thats a L83. Regular will do. I visited the East Coast last year and most of the members here love to talk about Sunoco Gas. I tried and Yes, that has been the best gas in my Vette. Too bad they don't have Sunoco in California.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
If your car is completely stock...
'84-E86 (irons heads) 87 octane is just fine
L86-'91 (alum heads) use 89 or 91, might be fine on 87
'93 and up use premium
Of course mods, especially better heads, will change the scenario and you might need to go up.
'84-E86 (irons heads) 87 octane is just fine
L86-'91 (alum heads) use 89 or 91, might be fine on 87
'93 and up use premium
Of course mods, especially better heads, will change the scenario and you might need to go up.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
If you can put a scan tool on the car, though, you can check for knock retard at large throttle opening. If there isn't any, the octane is enough. My two cents, if you use regular gas, get it from a top tier company as 87 octane from a lot of places has very little in the way of detergents or additives.