Gas ?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
after 1/4 million miles I have had no problems with 87 octane gas, for several years I drove 100 to 150 miles a day to work and back, this is my everyday driver and the gas savings over my blazer (12 mpg) or jeep (14 mpg) helped pay for my vette. I still drive 50 miles a day round trip. Occasionally I put a tank or two of shell premium thru it but for the most part I use murphy 87. I haven't had to do anything to the ls1 other than replace the harmonic balancer. it still gets 27 mpg and does not burn oil. some of us like there vettes even though we may not be rich.
... Sure we wouldn't want teeagers and kids running around with C5's. But its a dream car for many, who can somehow buy it, but can't dish out additional Vette Taxed things on it (Mods / Gas)... I'm sure there are a lotta guys out there who'd agree with you and feel what you're saying... 
with Chuck. I don't really care to find out how my car would run on 87. I'm in a situation where I agree with both these guys here.... cuz I can't dish out too much on Vette related things, but I do not use low quality products in my Vette. 
Mine's a confusing situation I guess.. 
My take on this - If you're gonna race the Mustang, you'd wanna WIN right? Put the best gas available (at least have that in your tank during the race)..Oh, and you should win without a doubt.. Good luck
C5 General
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 0
From: Boosted in Manhattan & Round Rock TX. President of the Non Club Club of Kansas and Round Rock , Not the flat part.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,268
Likes: 11
From: Florence New Jersey
put premium in your vette...you will regret it later if you use something other than 93 octane
eric
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Nevada Texas
however
The book actually says:
Fuel
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
91 or higher for best performance. You may also use
middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may be
slightly reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine.
The knock sensor is a reactive device. In other words the damage however minor has occurred when it makes the timing adjustment. Once thats happened as rws1 says, the fuel economy and performance suffer.
E-T who was involved in the design of the C5 had very strong views that with the high compression LS1 you shouldn't use less than 91 octane. Seems sensible to me.
Fuel
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted octane of
91 or higher for best performance. You may also use
middle grade or regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87
octane or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may be
slightly reduced. If the octane is less than 87, you may
get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. If it is bad
enough, it can damage your engine.
The knock sensor is a reactive device. In other words the damage however minor has occurred when it makes the timing adjustment. Once thats happened as rws1 says, the fuel economy and performance suffer.
E-T who was involved in the design of the C5 had very strong views that with the high compression LS1 you shouldn't use less than 91 octane. Seems sensible to me.
i've run 87 octane for the better part of 250,000 miles with no failures, and you? how many miles does yours have on it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,369
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From: The line waiting to see Santa Claus stretched all the way back to Terre Haute, and I was at the end, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Sounds like two different arguments are being made here...regular vs premium & cheap brand gas vs top tier...I don't run regular ( I'm getting 32+ MPG all the way to work...Premium is fine for me), but what if someone ran an 87 octane fuel from a top tier? Then there is no fuel sending unit issue, and a few ponies are lost...That's not so bad..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3
From: Rehoboth MA . . . NRA Life Member
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I understand the basic question being asked in this thread but I'll ask; "why"?
We're driving a relatively expensive car that was designed to use premium fuel yet for some reason some want to save a few penny's. To me it makes no sense walking into a show room looking at a $50,000 car and deciding not to my it because it requires premium fuel that costs an additional $0.30 more than regular....
We're driving a relatively expensive car that was designed to use premium fuel yet for some reason some want to save a few penny's. To me it makes no sense walking into a show room looking at a $50,000 car and deciding not to my it because it requires premium fuel that costs an additional $0.30 more than regular....
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Nevada Texas
no difference
I understand the basic question being asked in this thread but I'll ask; "why"?
We're driving a relatively expensive car that was designed to use premium fuel yet for some reason some want to save a few penny's. To me it makes no sense walking into a show room looking at a $50,000 car and deciding not to my it because it requires premium fuel that costs an additional $0.30 more than regular....
We're driving a relatively expensive car that was designed to use premium fuel yet for some reason some want to save a few penny's. To me it makes no sense walking into a show room looking at a $50,000 car and deciding not to my it because it requires premium fuel that costs an additional $0.30 more than regular....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
I'm with buckskinner, besides everyone didn't buy cars new and maybe times are tough and $30 makes a big difference. Run what you like or can afford. Lets not be critical of someone when you don't know their situation. There is always something better around the corner and sometimes you are the fortunate one, othertimes you are not.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 4
From: EXTON PA
Octane use, Stick vs automatic
If you are looking to see who has the best car on the track you also need to have the same transmissions. You give away a big advantage by running a automatic vs a stick.
If you wanted to run a lower octane tank fill now and then, ok...but there is trouble down the road by using this lower octane on a regular basis. The grade of gas is not all the same that is offered at all stations. Check the threads on the forum on this subject. There are only two grades shipped to a station and the pumps will blend a lower grade with the highest grade to get the middle gas grades offered by the station. Additives amounts are missing in the cheaper gas supplied by no name stations, be careful of price motivated choices.
If you wanted to run a lower octane tank fill now and then, ok...but there is trouble down the road by using this lower octane on a regular basis. The grade of gas is not all the same that is offered at all stations. Check the threads on the forum on this subject. There are only two grades shipped to a station and the pumps will blend a lower grade with the highest grade to get the middle gas grades offered by the station. Additives amounts are missing in the cheaper gas supplied by no name stations, be careful of price motivated choices.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,058
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
The best way to optimze the performance and longevity of your Vette is to follow the Owner's Manual to the letter. Yes, you can run a lower grade of gas in your car. If you want your ride to last AND have the best performance, follow the manual.
No bust on anyone's financial situation because I KNOW I am fortunate to even be financially secure enough to have a Corvette, but if you can't afford to put in 91 octane gas then maybe you can't really afford a Vette.
No bust on anyone's financial situation because I KNOW I am fortunate to even be financially secure enough to have a Corvette, but if you can't afford to put in 91 octane gas then maybe you can't really afford a Vette.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 763
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside Ca
Buddy's Mustang
Remember you are driving a "legend" and you must behave as such. I joke quite a bit here on the forum but in this I am serious. I am 52 years old and got my first ride from my Uncle in his '58 fuelie when I was 6 years old. You just don't hear of people being affected by Mustangs like that. Don't be enticed by the macho boastings of your friend with his Mustang wanting to race you. Part of owning a legendary automobile like a Chevrolet Corvette is excersizing discipline in driving, at least partially. Understand that when others around you are wanting to race you, it is because of the 50 years + heritage of the vehicle you are lucky enough to be driving. I will repeat myself once again....."you are driving a true legend"....think that way every time you start it up. Also remember to wave to other 'vette owners regardless of the "C" generations. Ask your whiplash buddy in the prancing donkey if he gets waves from other prancing donkey drivers!
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,408
Likes: 2,058
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Remember you are driving a "legend" and you must behave as such. I joke quite a bit here on the forum but in this I am serious. I am 52 years old and got my first ride from my Uncle in his '58 fuelie when I was 6 years old. You just don't hear of people being affected by Mustangs like that. Don't be enticed by the macho boastings of your friend with his Mustang wanting to race you. Part of owning a legendary automobile like a Chevrolet Corvette is excersizing discipline in driving, at least partially. Understand that when others around you are wanting to race you, it is because of the 50 years + heritage of the vehicle you are lucky enough to be driving. I will repeat myself once again....."you are driving a true legend"....think that way every time you start it up. Also remember to wave to other 'vette owners regardless of the "C" generations. Ask your whiplash buddy in the prancing donkey if he gets waves from other prancing donkey drivers!
So true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!