87 octane vs. 93
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Lusby MD
87 octane vs. 93
I’m using regular 87 octane gas in my 99 and the car seems to do well on it, then again I have nothing to compare it to, but
it doesn’t ping even under load, or miss or anything wrong that I can tell.
Is there any advantage in going to a higher octane like 93 or is it just a waste of money?
I mean would the car run any better or would it be any better for the engine if I changed to 93?
I don’t think I would gain enough MPG to offset the higher price of the 93 octane, so is there any reason to do so?
Gassey,
Gordon. :steering:
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 27
From: Discovery Bay CA
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (wtlytng)
You need to run 91 octane or higher in the Corvette. Just because it doesn't ping doesn't mean its OK. You could be doing damage to your engine over the long run. Ask your Chev. dealer. They have nothing to gain.
:nono:
:nono:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (wtlytng)
One word: POWER!
My 89 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo will also run on 87 octane gas, but the engine's computer will retard the timing if the knock sensors hear any indication of pinging. Retarded timing means loss of power.
I'd stick with a minimum of 91 or drive an Impala as your daily vehicle.
My 89 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo will also run on 87 octane gas, but the engine's computer will retard the timing if the knock sensors hear any indication of pinging. Retarded timing means loss of power.
I'd stick with a minimum of 91 or drive an Impala as your daily vehicle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (Bosscar9er)
You need to run 91 octane or higher in the Corvette. Just because it doesn't ping doesn't mean its OK. You could be doing damage to your engine over the long run. Ask your Chev. dealer. They have nothing to gain.
:nono:
:nono:
Even though you are not getting pinging you are more than likely losing performance running 87 octane gas. Not to mention possible damage to your engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (wtlytng)
Every fill up your computer resets itself and maps out your fuel tables for the car. Low octane = lower timing and less power... high octane = correct timing, correct fuel tables and all the power the car can give...
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,710
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (Dave68)
One word: POWER!
...the engine's computer will retard the timing if the knock sensors hear any indication of pinging. Retarded timing means loss of power.
...the engine's computer will retard the timing if the knock sensors hear any indication of pinging. Retarded timing means loss of power.
Lower octane will not damage the engine; The knock sensors sense the pinging and allow the timing to be quickly retarded. It's kinda a shame to use 87 octane, because you're not taking full advantage of that sweet LS1's potential for power. If you never take it close to redline it, then sure, why not save some dollars? However, even for a street cruiser, I'd put in the highest octane (short of racing gas) and really enjoy the car on those freeway on-ramps, 100+MPH sprints on wide open roads, etc...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (The Batman)
If my previous experiences are correct, you will be
better off (cheaper) by using the 93 octane.
In my '94 LT-1 Trans Am I used 87 for a while and
kepted up with my mileage. Then going back to 93
I notice that the mpg was a LOT higher and in fact
made up for the difference in cost...and hen some!
Add to that the damage you COULD be doing to
the engine with the lesser octane I recommend
using 93 octane....just as recommended by GM.
Enjoy!
:yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod:
better off (cheaper) by using the 93 octane.
In my '94 LT-1 Trans Am I used 87 for a while and
kepted up with my mileage. Then going back to 93
I notice that the mpg was a LOT higher and in fact
made up for the difference in cost...and hen some!
Add to that the damage you COULD be doing to
the engine with the lesser octane I recommend
using 93 octane....just as recommended by GM.
Enjoy!
:yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:
:lol: :yesnod:
:yesnod:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (aaaa)
91 is ok to use, if you are running your car hard on a hot day, you should run a booster or add a few gallons of 100 octane.
vetterdstr :cheers:
vetterdstr :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Beach CA
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (vetterdstr)
I always uses the Premium (only 91 in SD :cuss) but I noticed my car was kinda bogging or sounded diesely the other day (it was 90ish outside and I just filled up the tank at some POS gas station). I dropped some octane booster in and it fixed the problem. I'm thinking I got jipped on the octane of the gas or it was just crappy fuel. I wish we had higher octane for premium like we did a few years ago. 2.50/gal sucks.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1
From: SE Idaho
St. Jude Contributor
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (elric)
I always uses the Premium (only 91 in SD :cuss) but I noticed my car was kinda bogging or sounded diesely the other day (it was 90ish outside and I just filled up the tank at some POS gas station). I dropped some octane booster in and it fixed the problem. I'm thinking I got jipped on the octane of the gas or it was just crappy fuel. I wish we had higher octane for premium like we did a few years ago. 2.50/gal sucks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 0
From: The greatest risk is not taking one at all
Re: 87 octane vs. 93 (Dave68)
One word: POWER!
My 89 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo will also run on 87 octane gas, but the engine's computer will retard the timing if the knock sensors hear any indication of pinging. Retarded timing means loss of power.
I'd stick with a minimum of 91 or drive an Impala as your daily vehicle.
My 89 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo will also run on 87 octane gas, but the engine's computer will retard the timing if the knock sensors hear any indication of pinging. Retarded timing means loss of power.
I'd stick with a minimum of 91 or drive an Impala as your daily vehicle.
