Which octane do you use?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 915
Likes: 3
From: Ft. Worth Texas
I usually use 93 octane, the owners manual in all three of the vettes i have owned say that you can use 87 but the power may be reduced slightly. It will not harm the car. I have used 87 and 89 and have not noticed any power difference but i do not drive my cars hard. Available in my area is 87, 89, and 93. My Silvarado also has a 6.2 liter in it and the same goes for it. Also i have never noticed any better or worse gas miliage while using either one.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
You are not dumb, you asked a legitimate question. Yes your LS2 , LS3 , will run on 87 , without damage, thanks to knock sensors and the PCM. However your engine will make more HP with 91 or 93. And if you care to tune for it, there are gains to be had from even higher octane , when and where it's available.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Clayton North Carolina
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 166
From: Summerton SC
Tech Contributor
It's not a dumb thing, fill on 93 - drive it, then fill 89 and drive to compare (especially flooring it for a 0-45 death ride). It is what it is, and a dealer might infer the eco-version for very obvious sales points, eh.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 586
Likes: 131
From: Carlisle PA
I guess it depends on the driving habits. If I was to use my car as a track car, I guess I might give the 93 a chance. For my everyday use around town where I'm not smokin the tires or trying to achieve a 0-60 in less than 4 seconds, 89 octane does just fine!
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands Texas
93 Octane typically costs about 30 cents more per gallon than 87. Of course this varies, but I think $0.30 is a good average difference.
A typical fill-up is what... about 13 gallons?
13 x $0.30 = $3.90.
Less than $4.00 per fill-up seems like a no brainer to be able to utilize the power that you paid tens of thousands of dollars to obtain.
A typical fill-up is what... about 13 gallons?
13 x $0.30 = $3.90.
Less than $4.00 per fill-up seems like a no brainer to be able to utilize the power that you paid tens of thousands of dollars to obtain.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 1,656
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I use Shell 91 Octane which has no ethanol, unless I am travelling and then I find the highest octane available.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 2
From: Elk River MN
I run BP 93 octane
The eighth digit on your serial number will tell the tale. If you have the LS9 or LS7 optimum performance will happen with 93 octane top tier gas.
www.toptiergas.com
You have to pay to be a part of the "membership" of top tier gas and BP does not pay, but they are in the same high detergent fuel as the rest.
If you have the Ls3 then 91 octane is the standard, but this one I'm not sure about....going on memory.
Scott
The eighth digit on your serial number will tell the tale. If you have the LS9 or LS7 optimum performance will happen with 93 octane top tier gas.
www.toptiergas.com
You have to pay to be a part of the "membership" of top tier gas and BP does not pay, but they are in the same high detergent fuel as the rest.
If you have the Ls3 then 91 octane is the standard, but this one I'm not sure about....going on memory.
Scott
