Regular Gas ok?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Sadly, I read your profile claiming 412 HP, duel cone intake. a custom built motor adding 100 hp at the wheels. Don't see any headers, or mention of actual build, but this means heads and cam, only increasing compression and the absolute need to use premium fuel... As a retired C5 designer, you are either playing with us or with yourself. Its your car.. do what every you want, I would hate to be the next owner of this car. Good luck, I've seen first hand what 87 octane does to # 7 piston in an LSX design. Ive seen pitted connecting rod bearings and mains, wrist pin damage all cause by engine knock.. Ive seen what unresolved engine knock can do to an engine.. No knock sensor don't turn on and keep the motor in a retarded state... it detects each knock then goes back to stand by detection. Each knock is an actual knock, then the car loses its power.. enjoy your limping LSX motor... regular ? its like adding water to the fuel of your airplane... not the same outcome, but similar in mechanical failure. ( No it doesn't happen over night ), a typical well kept LSX motor can easily see 400K.. we have dozens here with 300K and 400 K.... running an LSX motor on regular will cut that life span in half or worse.
PS you can build a low compression motor to run on 87 octane, but no one does that because people want more HP not less. I doubt the previous owner spent all that money in an engine build and ran it on regular. You will never get 100 HP out of a normally aspirated LSX on regular.
PS you can build a low compression motor to run on 87 octane, but no one does that because people want more HP not less. I doubt the previous owner spent all that money in an engine build and ran it on regular. You will never get 100 HP out of a normally aspirated LSX on regular.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Apr 16, 2016 at 10:38 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
as pointed out it will run on it but not the best idea.
I never understood anybody who skimped on gas, I almost never look at price,
I just look for a good station when I need it, price is usually relative to the area.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,441
Likes: 2,185
From: Buffalo Texas
There are Corvette people or there are people who drive Corvettes !!!
Corvette people love and live everything Corvette, People who drive Corvettes don't care much but look at me I'm in a vette !!!!! Why if your buying a performance car would you not think it needs performance fuel ????? Also if your spending the money for a sports car, why skimp on anything the car needs ?????
Corvette people love and live everything Corvette, People who drive Corvettes don't care much but look at me I'm in a vette !!!!! Why if your buying a performance car would you not think it needs performance fuel ????? Also if your spending the money for a sports car, why skimp on anything the car needs ?????
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
You are right Paul. I've seen these types come to this forum for 15 years trying to get validation for their poor choices, regular fuel, any Dino oil, that's on the shelf, cheap filters, tires, brakes. many of these types disappear quickly because they don't get the validation they need, and either sell the car, or leave the forum because they cant find a sympathetic ear. BTW there is a big difference in cheap, and inexpensive, Cheap is usually a Chinese knock off, or a product that is under specification. Inexpensive is finding a station with 93 octane fuel for 2 dollars a gallon. Or a set of Michelins for your car, freshly minted, and at a sale price under 1000 dollars.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 405
Likes: 65
From: Rural Iowa
Jim
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Hampton GA
There are a couple of sayings that come to mind with the topic "Regular gas OK?" (1) Pay me now or pay me later. (2) Penny wise and pound foolish. Loosen the purse strings and do yourself a favor by running your Corvette on premium fuel.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 775
Likes: 76
From: Mooresboro NC
I remember those days. Ah, the good old days, and it wasn't really that long ago. 
Now, premium is 50 - 60 cents a gallon more than regular in my area. One station is actually close to a dollar more. 
Those who say it's only a couple bucks more to fill up with premium vs regular must be still living in the past. Like a decade ago. But I'll still pay for premium, because that's what my Vette runs best on.
Doesn't mean I have to like it though. 
Now, premium is 50 - 60 cents a gallon more than regular in my area. One station is actually close to a dollar more. Those who say it's only a couple bucks more to fill up with premium vs regular must be still living in the past. Like a decade ago. But I'll still pay for premium, because that's what my Vette runs best on.
Doesn't mean I have to like it though. 
Same as here in NC. Luckily I live so close to the SC border, I can go there and get it for about $.20 cheaper which computes to an extra 3.7 gals or 90 miles +/- for hwy/city driving.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Racer
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 405
Likes: 65
From: Rural Iowa
ET,
Please read:
"I'd run 93 in mine too, if I could find it, but in 6 months of looking, no joy"
"the 87 straight gas (the car runs like **** on the 87 no ethanol, will miss/buck under load")"
No where did I say I wanted to use regular in My Vette.
Your reading comprehension sucks, but who needs to read when you're an engineer and already know everything about anything.
"IM going to bale out of this thread"
Yes, you should have.
Cheers,
Jim
Please read:
"I'd run 93 in mine too, if I could find it, but in 6 months of looking, no joy"
"the 87 straight gas (the car runs like **** on the 87 no ethanol, will miss/buck under load")"
No where did I say I wanted to use regular in My Vette.
Your reading comprehension sucks, but who needs to read when you're an engineer and already know everything about anything.
"IM going to bale out of this thread"
Yes, you should have.
Cheers,
Jim
Last edited by jd911; Apr 16, 2016 at 11:55 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 775
Likes: 76
From: Mooresboro NC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Hampton GA
I just filled up yesterday with 93 octane premium. I would also recommend using Chevron because it has Techron in it, which will help with the fuel sensor corrosion problem C5s are prone to due to the ethanol added to most gasoline.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 14
From: NY
The fuel mapping table compensates for 87. All it does is reduce performance.
The car is fine. That said, fill it up with premium, use a top-tier gas, throw in some techron. And blow out the built up carbon deposits that probably accumulated over 20k miles of not seeing more than 3-4k rpms.
ever.
Premium Gasoline here runs 60-70 cents more per gallon (if you can do math, that equates to 60-70% more than regular, not 10%). And fuel prices are about to skyrocket if the oil prices stay up and with summer coming, that's a double whammy. (oil has increased by 61% per barrel in the last couple of days and while fuel stations won't be paying that price for another month, I guarantee you it will be more expensive this weekend to fill up. Price gouging FTW).
I always use premium. But that's my choice. My car will compensate for 87 octane, same as yours. It retards timing if it detects spark knock. because my job is 3 miles away and I sit in a lot of a traffic, about once a month I give it a good run to blow out any carbon build up that accumulates. This lady probably never gave it a good WOT run the entire time she owned it.
The fact that the husband said it was the wife's car, means he made sure it was taken care of for her. Sounds like you got a gem.
All the doom sayers need to quit freaking the new vette owner out. I swear some people thrive on being jackasses.
As far as why there is such a disparity between the higher octane fuels, while our federal government subsidizes fuel to lower the cost, many states use that as an excuse to tax it. South Carolina charges a road tax and I swear to god the only roads they keep in shape are on the coast where the tourists all visit. When fuel prices got really low, they immediately tried to pass a gas tax to pay for road repairs, which we are already taxed on and they are already supposed to be repairing. In short, the answer is greed.
We're lucky we're not paying 4-5 pounds (7-8 dollars) for a liter of fuel, or we'd all be spending 100-140 dollars just to fill up every week.
The car is fine. That said, fill it up with premium, use a top-tier gas, throw in some techron. And blow out the built up carbon deposits that probably accumulated over 20k miles of not seeing more than 3-4k rpms.
ever.
Premium Gasoline here runs 60-70 cents more per gallon (if you can do math, that equates to 60-70% more than regular, not 10%). And fuel prices are about to skyrocket if the oil prices stay up and with summer coming, that's a double whammy. (oil has increased by 61% per barrel in the last couple of days and while fuel stations won't be paying that price for another month, I guarantee you it will be more expensive this weekend to fill up. Price gouging FTW).
I always use premium. But that's my choice. My car will compensate for 87 octane, same as yours. It retards timing if it detects spark knock. because my job is 3 miles away and I sit in a lot of a traffic, about once a month I give it a good run to blow out any carbon build up that accumulates. This lady probably never gave it a good WOT run the entire time she owned it.
The fact that the husband said it was the wife's car, means he made sure it was taken care of for her. Sounds like you got a gem.
All the doom sayers need to quit freaking the new vette owner out. I swear some people thrive on being jackasses.
As far as why there is such a disparity between the higher octane fuels, while our federal government subsidizes fuel to lower the cost, many states use that as an excuse to tax it. South Carolina charges a road tax and I swear to god the only roads they keep in shape are on the coast where the tourists all visit. When fuel prices got really low, they immediately tried to pass a gas tax to pay for road repairs, which we are already taxed on and they are already supposed to be repairing. In short, the answer is greed.
We're lucky we're not paying 4-5 pounds (7-8 dollars) for a liter of fuel, or we'd all be spending 100-140 dollars just to fill up every week.
I think a lot of people interpreted my post as if i wanted to continue using regular.. that's false, i wanted to and am going to switch to premium.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 14
From: NY
Just one more note, I would much prefer a stock 2002 with 20k miles run on regular and never had oil changed. Than one with a a bunch of crazy mods. I recently helped a friend find a C5. One that we looked at was beautiful! Perfect paint and interior. Buuut it was an automatic with a big lumpy cam and high rpm torque converter. Diagnostics showed more current codes than I thought possible and car still go down the road. It might have been a bit of fun on the drag strip but it was HORRIBLE to drive on the street. Needless to say we ran not walked from that one!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Just look at it all as free advice, some asked for, some not, but its all free. You will see in time this forum is very useful.
I've had a few threads locked before I was done getting answers, no it was not me
it was others. I did not get involved with the banter back and fourth or tell people to stop, if it gets bad enough it gets shut down. 
and you have to start again so maybe ask same question in a different way to get what you need. Just take what you want and leave the rest.
Below is not for op, but math has really been a struggle for a few here.
How does 60 to 70 cents more per gal. equate to 60 to 70 percent more, could someone show me that math?
Is regular $1.00 somewhere?
I've had a few threads locked before I was done getting answers, no it was not me
it was others. I did not get involved with the banter back and fourth or tell people to stop, if it gets bad enough it gets shut down. and you have to start again so maybe ask same question in a different way to get what you need. Just take what you want and leave the rest.Below is not for op, but math has really been a struggle for a few here.
How does 60 to 70 cents more per gal. equate to 60 to 70 percent more, could someone show me that math?
Is regular $1.00 somewhere?
Last edited by Forcedvert; Apr 17, 2016 at 09:53 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Almost anyone can own a C5 today, a counter person at McDonald's, a Bank teller, a grocery clerk, and they all seem to have advice... Some of us have multiple college degrees. Some do not have a GED. Some are clueless, and some are very qualified and helpful.
The one thing that remains constant for me is offering this advice.." Be careful who you listen too here on this forum, ". Not everyone is qualified to offer good sound advice.
The one thing that remains constant for me is offering this advice.." Be careful who you listen too here on this forum, ". Not everyone is qualified to offer good sound advice.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Apr 17, 2016 at 10:12 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 964
Likes: 124
From: Chesapeake Va
Almost anyone can own a C5 today, a counter person at McDonald's, a Bank teller, a grocery clerk, and they all seems have advice... Some of us have multiple college degrees. Some do not have a GED. Some are clueless, and some are very helpful.
The one thing that remains constant for me is offering this advice.." Be careful who you listen too here on this forum, ". Not everyone is qualified to offer good sound advice.
The one thing that remains constant for me is offering this advice.." Be careful who you listen too here on this forum, ". Not everyone is qualified to offer good sound advice.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,237
Likes: 96
From: not far enough from Chicago
I haven’t read this full topic, only small sections. I would like to interject my opinion;
I think it has been touched upon that the cost of 93 octane (which is what I use) in a Corvette
should be adhered to. You may end up with negative ping or KNOCK = INTO THE DANGER ZONE. My Corvette is just a summer time toy that doesn’t add up a lot of miles. It is kept in top condition and never let any indication of a potential problem ignored.
In my opinion trying to get by on regular isn’t worth it when compared to needing a new engine. I think a new engine may cost a little bit more than scrimping on the proper gas.
Another issue that I have seen remarked upon is that those low miles may indicate neglect on other aspects of the car. I would insist on all records that document how the car was maintained. That would be something you should always review, regardless of any used car you buy.
I keep EVERY RECEIPET, regardless of how little the costs may be for all 3 of my cars. If those records are not in the sellers’ possession, I wouldn’t buy it.
I think it has been touched upon that the cost of 93 octane (which is what I use) in a Corvette
should be adhered to. You may end up with negative ping or KNOCK = INTO THE DANGER ZONE. My Corvette is just a summer time toy that doesn’t add up a lot of miles. It is kept in top condition and never let any indication of a potential problem ignored.
In my opinion trying to get by on regular isn’t worth it when compared to needing a new engine. I think a new engine may cost a little bit more than scrimping on the proper gas.
Another issue that I have seen remarked upon is that those low miles may indicate neglect on other aspects of the car. I would insist on all records that document how the car was maintained. That would be something you should always review, regardless of any used car you buy.
I keep EVERY RECEIPET, regardless of how little the costs may be for all 3 of my cars. If those records are not in the sellers’ possession, I wouldn’t buy it.