[Z06] What Grade Fuel Do You Use?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 42
From: Valley Lee MD
What Grade Fuel Do You Use?
I was looking in my owners manual and noticed that 87 octane is acceptable. Since I have owned the Z, I have used 93 octane only. Anyone else use 87 or 89 octane and, if so, any problems with performance or knock.
Ed
Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 982
Likes: 18
From: Seattle WA
I use premium only (92 octane in Washington). It's really not much savings to go with a lower grade. If you drive 12,000 miles per year and only get 18 mpg, you'll only save about $130 per year going with the lowest grade.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 33,498
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From: Sarasota Fl. U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: The Great Nation of North Carolina
although I typically use 93, I have run 87 and 89 and not really noticed any issues, no KNOCK , no real acceleration issues that I could attest to, but around town how would I even know that ? I did this as more of a test and see what happens. I guess nothing happened !
I just generally top off with 93 when I am at around 3/4 now...certainly the lower octane will effect performance of some degree.
I just generally top off with 93 when I am at around 3/4 now...certainly the lower octane will effect performance of some degree.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
If your getting no detonation...87 would actually be the better gas. Burns hotter, faster and cleaner.
Key words are no detonation...
Not all detonation is audible...so I would be sketchy running a 10.5:1 motor on 87
.
Key words are no detonation...
Not all detonation is audible...so I would be sketchy running a 10.5:1 motor on 87.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The last time this got debated was 06/10/08...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2049209
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2049209
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
I'm on the east coast and run 93. I took a trip out west and had to run 91. There was a noticable power loss with the 91, keeping in mind there was a rise in elevation at the same time. Once I got back home, it took a few tankfuls to get back to feeling normal, power-wise.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 52
From: Boise
The last time this got debated was 06/10/08...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2049209
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2049209
I use whatever is highest at the pump I am at. 92 in Washington but it's pretty easy to find 93 or 94 in Idaho.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
I agree with you TEX.I run Texaco 93 all the time.At every oil change
(3k) I add 2 cans of Sea Foam per tank full to keep things cleaned up.
Here in SC,I paid $4.06 today.
\db2
Carolina
(3k) I add 2 cans of Sea Foam per tank full to keep things cleaned up.
Here in SC,I paid $4.06 today.
\db2
Carolina
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 45
From: Picking on the weakest kid in the yard.
I always buy premium, (91 here) but I just went on a 3500 mile road trip last week. In Roswell, premium was only 90 octane (@ $4.20! 
) and the car ran fine. So next fill up I tried mid grade 89 and the car ran fine. Stilled pulled uphill in 6th on the cruise with no knock or any other issues. So I used 89 for the rest of the trip. Didn't care about performance on the road trip and I saved some money so why not?
) and the car ran fine. So next fill up I tried mid grade 89 and the car ran fine. Stilled pulled uphill in 6th on the cruise with no knock or any other issues. So I used 89 for the rest of the trip. Didn't care about performance on the road trip and I saved some money so why not?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 42
From: Valley Lee MD
Thanks for the responses
Just asking a question. Not trying to start a debate.
When I read the manual I found it amazing that a 10.5:1 engine is not required to burn 93 octane. Not sure if the Z has a "knock" sensor like my 94 T-Bird SC that will retard the timing if less then 93 octane is used. Affording 93 octane is not an issue with me. I have to use 93 in my SC and Scarab and diesel in my Excursion. So I'm use to high fuel prices. Just wanted to see what other Z guys have experienced when using 87 and 89 octane fuel.
OBTW - I had a CEL and the codes were for "lean left and right banks". Since I have the DIY K&N air filter installed, I cleaned the MAF and the CEL is gone. Also, I regapped my plugs. I have never seen cleaner burning plugs. They all looked like they came right out of the box.
Ed
When I read the manual I found it amazing that a 10.5:1 engine is not required to burn 93 octane. Not sure if the Z has a "knock" sensor like my 94 T-Bird SC that will retard the timing if less then 93 octane is used. Affording 93 octane is not an issue with me. I have to use 93 in my SC and Scarab and diesel in my Excursion. So I'm use to high fuel prices. Just wanted to see what other Z guys have experienced when using 87 and 89 octane fuel.
OBTW - I had a CEL and the codes were for "lean left and right banks". Since I have the DIY K&N air filter installed, I cleaned the MAF and the CEL is gone. Also, I regapped my plugs. I have never seen cleaner burning plugs. They all looked like they came right out of the box.
Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Bath PA
I would never run less than premium fuel in my Z except in an emergency. To date nothing less than 93 octane in 34k miles on an '01 Z. On the other hand, I would never put premium fuel in my '08 Ford Taurus even if it wan't more expensive.
Most cars don't have the compression that dictates high octane fuel. The Z definitely does. Most people don't understand this which is why the oil companies sell so much premium gas to folks who don't need it.
Your car will probably run fine under "normal" street driving conditions, but under "spirited" or "high performance" conditions you would be sacrificing optimal performance. I think with all the "safety" features built into the ECM it would be difficult to damage the car by running 87.
Most cars don't have the compression that dictates high octane fuel. The Z definitely does. Most people don't understand this which is why the oil companies sell so much premium gas to folks who don't need it.
Your car will probably run fine under "normal" street driving conditions, but under "spirited" or "high performance" conditions you would be sacrificing optimal performance. I think with all the "safety" features built into the ECM it would be difficult to damage the car by running 87.
