C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Minimum octane to run with my l98 build?

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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 12:32 PM
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Default Minimum octane to run with my l98 build?

I'm thinking 93 octane. I'm getting her on the dyno this summer, so I can tune for whatever octane really... but am leaning towards 93 being the best option. Details of build are in signature.

Thanks guys.
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 12:47 PM
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11.5:1 you'll have to run 93 at least, but you need to drive with the tuner or a recording program to check for knock counts and relay it back to him to optimize how much timing it can take.
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 12:49 PM
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Dyno tune... I'm almost positive he'd have all that hooked up...

But you say at least 93 octane?? Haha as in more would be better??
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 01:02 PM
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It depends on how much cam you have and what your dynamic compression ratio is.

Assuming that cam at a 112 lobe separation angle and 108 intake centerline, with the advertised duration on Comp's website I get a 9.12 dynamic compression ratio. This is pretty high for pump gas. 93 might not be enough.

Last edited by Kubs; Apr 8, 2014 at 01:07 PM.
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 01:41 PM
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Dyno will only get the WOT pinnned down, the part throttle timing needs to be checked by actually driving it around and going through normal driving habits.

It may advance the timing 15 degrees over what the WOT value is, you better check his modifiers, especially for tip-in
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Kubs
It depends on how much cam you have and what your dynamic compression ratio is.

Assuming that cam at a 112 lobe separation angle and 108 intake centerline, with the advertised duration on Comp's website I get a 9.12 dynamic compression ratio. This is pretty high for pump gas. 93 might not be enough.
110* LSA. 106* intake centerline. 1.6rr's.

Originally Posted by vader86
Dyno will only get the WOT pinnned down, the part throttle timing needs to be checked by actually driving it around and going through normal driving habits.

It may advance the timing 15 degrees over what the WOT value is, you better check his modifiers, especially for tip-in
Owner of J&J Speedshop told me he does partial throttle tuning as well. Said he'll tune it 'til its right, even if it takes all day. I'd have to ask if he goes for a test drive after the tuning though...
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 02:33 PM
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I'm tellin you that you better go behind him with a scanner/datamaster/whatever and record the results. Don't take them at their word. The more radical the combination the more time needs to be spent getting this right, especially if you want to drive it alot.
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Old Apr 8, 2014 | 02:39 PM
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Well now that we've talked you can bet your *** I'm going to make 100% sure he partial-throttle tunes and does intense data logging... but he claims they use wideband and knock sensors in their tuning. Not sure what else they do. Maybe I'll call him quick to verify this, since we're on the topic.
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Old Apr 9, 2014 | 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by volkswagens-for-life
110* LSA. 106* intake centerline. 1.6rr's.
That makes it worse actually. Almost 9.3 dynamic. You would need to keep it really cool to prevent pinging, or retard the timing a lot.
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Old Apr 9, 2014 | 02:03 PM
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Can you explain wtf that all means? And are you agreeing that 93 octane would not suffice?
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Old Apr 9, 2014 | 03:06 PM
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The dynamic compression ratio takes into account the timing at which the exhaust and intake valves close. The piston starts moving up before they are fully closed so compression does not build right away. Your static compression ratio is 11.5:1 just by volume (size of the cylinder at the bottom of the stroke compared to the volume at the top). Rule of thumb for street engines is 8.5:1 dynamic compression MAX for street gas. Meaning, you can have a high static compression ratio with a big cam that bleeds off some compression before the valve closes. Your cam still makes 9.3:1 dynamic compression which means 93 octane is not going to be enough. To fix this you must have a really really good cooling system to keep engine temp down (higher temp is more likely to ping or knock) or the tuner is going to retard the timing so it will run which means you are leaving power on the table.

Last edited by Kubs; Apr 9, 2014 at 03:08 PM.
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Old Apr 9, 2014 | 03:20 PM
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I see. Thank you for the break down on that I appreciate it.
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 10:22 AM
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Just as a follow up; what would happen if my car, due to compression or whatever reason, required 100 octane but I've only been running 93 in it? I need to know what gas I should be running before I get to the dyno tuner (PJ Speed Shop, Tonawanda NY) so that it can be tuned properly.
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by volkswagens-for-life
Just as a follow up; what would happen if my car, due to compression or whatever reason, required 100 octane but I've only been running 93 in it? I need to know what gas I should be running before I get to the dyno tuner (PJ Speed Shop, Tonawanda NY) so that it can be tuned properly.
The computer will back out as much timing as it can because it'll be knocking, other than the sound of detonation you would have worse gas mileage, plugs would show signs of the detonation.
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 11:43 AM
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What kind of noticeble performance differences would be evident by backed off timing?
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 02:16 PM
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I'll tell you ; I have not followed your build and don't know your specs but as I read the thread others have and unfortunately it appears the engine builder or whoever you are working with did not go over engine street dynamics with you. An engine needs a specific octane based on a number of variables and it appears no one has taken the time with you before they took your money. Its about cylinder pressure, compression ratios at dynamic and static ratios.....and other factors. 93 is not the answer for all street engines. Some require less octane, some more. Octane is a function of a gasoline to resist combustion....that is what it measures....not power potential, fuel economy, etc. very common misconception.
Now, like others said the computer will attempt to compensate by backing off timing when the knock sensors pick up detonation to prevent extensive engine damage but that's not where you want to be.
You will know if it starts detonating! It's going to make a pinging noise under a load and ultimately could cause major engine damage.....

Good luck to you 🍻😃!

Last edited by 856SPEED; Jun 18, 2015 at 02:22 PM.
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 856SPEED
I'll tell you ; I have not followed your build and don't know your specs but as I read the thread others have and unfortunately it appears the engine builder or whoever you are working with did not go over engine street dynamics with you. An engine needs a specific octane based on a number of variables and it appears no one has taken the time with you before they took your money. Its about cylinder pressure, compression ratios at dynamic and static ratios.....and other factors. 93 is not the answer for all street engines. Some require less octane, some more. Octane is a function of a gasoline to resist combustion....that is what it measures....not power potential, fuel economy, etc. very common misconception.
Now, like others said the computer will attempt to compensate by backing off timing when the knock sensors pick up detonation to prevent extensive engine damage but that's not where you want to be.
You will know if it starts detonating! It's going to make a pinging noise under a load and ultimately could cause major engine damage.....

Good luck to you 🍻😃!
Honestly I'm pretty deaf (being under m50's and mk19's w/out hearing pro...) so I'm not even sure I'd hear it pinging. Maybe I should hear some youtube video's to see if I can hear it. I'm not sure I would though.

How will I figure out the octane gasoline that I need? Will the dyno shop thats going to tune me know?
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 02:39 PM
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276* advertised duration and 106 ICL closes the intake valve at 64* ABDC.

My calculator give me 9.19 DCR and 190 psi cranking compression at sea level.

You could retard the ICL to 108 and change the intake closing point to 66* ABDC.

This would give you 9.01 DCR and 185 psi cranking compression.

What chamber size are your heads? I find it difficult to believe 11.5 SCR.... Most of those Pro Comp heads have 64cc chamber and with common flat top pistons in a 355 your looking at 10.25 SCR.... and more like 8.21 DCR and 165 psi cranking compression.
Will
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by rklessdriver
276* advertised duration and 106 ICL closes the intake valve at 64* ABDC.

My calculator give me 9.19 DCR and 190 psi cranking compression at sea level.

You could retard the ICL to 108 and change the intake closing point to 66* ABDC.

This would give you 9.01 DCR and 185 psi cranking compression.

What chamber size are your heads? I find it difficult to believe 11.5 SCR.... Most of those Pro Comp heads have 64cc chamber and with common flat top pistons in a 355 your looking at 10.25 SCR.... and more like 8.21 DCR and 165 psi cranking compression.
Will
Honestly this stuff is way over my head. I've put together many cars (I am NOT a builder...) and dont know these answers. I honestly dont remember the chamber size; otherwise my original post has my signature attached that has everything I know/remember.



If I took a hi-def video of the car running/idling/going through the gears/wot could you guys pick out pinging?
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Old Jun 18, 2015 | 03:19 PM
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Depending on where the mic is, maybe.

Throttle response would be poor, stuttering on acceleration, sometimes backfiring, poorer gas mileage would be noticable. Effects would be dependent on engine load.

You tell the tuner to set it for 93 octane and if he can't get it to run without knock counts, you better get used to buying booster, find some Sunoco 100, or you retard the cam. You do not want to run an engine this way very long. Either way you are leaving power on the table.
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