Which Fuel to Use?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 44
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Which Fuel to Use?
Can't find an existing thread on this, so.......
The manual recommends, but does not require, 93 octane fuel - any thoughts on how the C6 runs on lower octanes? My C5 didn't seem to like anything less than 92 or 93, but the C6 is due in two weeks and I might try to save a few pennies if it looks like a good idea.
The manual recommends, but does not require, 93 octane fuel - any thoughts on how the C6 runs on lower octanes? My C5 didn't seem to like anything less than 92 or 93, but the C6 is due in two weeks and I might try to save a few pennies if it looks like a good idea.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
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From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
The book also tells you that you may get some pinging if you use certain octanes much lower than 93 for very long. California C6ers have told us they can't get 93 octane. You may find a slight loss of power if you use anything less than 93.
There have been some threads on this, but they're probably a month old or more.
Different brands of gasoline in some states produce pinging, while other brands with the same octane don't.
There have been some threads on this, but they're probably a month old or more.
Different brands of gasoline in some states produce pinging, while other brands with the same octane don't.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
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From: San Francisco CA
91 Octane is the highest I have seen in California
Originally Posted by SilverCoupe
The book also tells you that you may get some pinging if you use certain octanes much lower than 93 for very long. California C6ers have told us they can't get 93 octane. You may find a slight loss of power if you use anything less than 93.
There have been some threads on this, but they're probably a month old or more.
Different brands of gasoline in some states produce pinging, while other brands with the same octane don't.
There have been some threads on this, but they're probably a month old or more.
Different brands of gasoline in some states produce pinging, while other brands with the same octane don't.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,560
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From: La Quinta CA
Originally Posted by LS WON
Anybody know why ARCO gas is so much less in cost compared to Chevron, Shell or 76 Union?
1. If you pay with cash they charge less. Other stations are the same price, cash or credit.
2. I don't believe ARCO is a "Top Tier" gas.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Originally Posted by DP Dave
A couple of reasons that I am aware of, maybe more.
1. If you pay with cash they charge less. Other stations are the same price, cash or credit.
2. I don't believe ARCO is a "Top Tier" gas.
1. If you pay with cash they charge less. Other stations are the same price, cash or credit.
2. I don't believe ARCO is a "Top Tier" gas.
What a revolutionary idea!
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
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From: Kansas City Missouri
I've only been able to find 91 here lately...and if this is diminished performance...maybe I need to break her in more before reaching for the 93 octane. 
I guess I shouldn't mention to that BMW Z3 3.0 I walked away from this morning that I was only running 91 octane...
I guess I shouldn't mention to that BMW Z3 3.0 I walked away from this morning that I was only running 91 octane...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 7,810
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From: FL
Having owned a "few" C5's and never used anything less than 92 Octane...............I have just decided to put 89 Octane in this one..................(after 1500 miles of 93 Octane).......and have yet to feel any difference.......................
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 790
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From: meraux louisiana
I use Shell V-power 93+ octane
Here in New Orleans we can get Shell V-Power premium gasoline for a good price. The octane is close to 94 but for some reason they can only advertise it at 93. From the sotp feeling when I use this I can sense faster acceleration. Probably the C5 2000 Vette engine that I have is able to make even more horsepower than with 93. Probably the knock sensor can advance the timing just a little more. 
Andy
Andy
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
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From: San Francisco CA
So then would you say that ARCO is cheap gas?
Originally Posted by DP Dave
A couple of reasons that I am aware of, maybe more.
1. If you pay with cash they charge less. Other stations are the same price, cash or credit.
2. I don't believe ARCO is a "Top Tier" gas.
1. If you pay with cash they charge less. Other stations are the same price, cash or credit.
2. I don't believe ARCO is a "Top Tier" gas.
I use ARCO gas in my other car at minimum 60,000 miles on ARCO
Is this a gasoline to be avoided in all cars?
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by corvetteone
I've only been able to find 91 here lately...and if this is diminished performance...maybe I need to break her in more before reaching for the 93 octane.
I guess I shouldn't mention to that BMW Z3 3.0 I walked away from this morning that I was only running 91 octane...
I guess I shouldn't mention to that BMW Z3 3.0 I walked away from this morning that I was only running 91 octane...
You in your 6.0L 400 hp Corvette walked away from a 3.0L 225hp BMW Z3?
Not possible.
How did you do that, with twice the displacement and almost twice the horsepower? I bet the BMW guy didn't know how to drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 774
Likes: 1
From: Seguin Texas
I have a good friend in South Florida with an '03 ZO6 and he has run 89 in it from the start. With over 24000 miles on it he gets great milage and no pinging. I ran 89 in my C6 all the way home from the museum delivery and it ran great and got over 26 MPG. Trip home was 900 miles . So in less than a week I have 1100 miles and love the car. I would say that if you drive very aggressively you would probably be tetter to run 91 or higher. my .02 worth
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9
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From: Kansas City Missouri
Originally Posted by EHS
You're kidding, right??
You in your 6.0L 400 hp Corvette walked away from a 3.0L 225hp BMW Z3?
Not possible.
How did you do that, with twice the displacement and almost twice the horsepower? I bet the BMW guy didn't know how to drive.
You in your 6.0L 400 hp Corvette walked away from a 3.0L 225hp BMW Z3?
Not possible.
How did you do that, with twice the displacement and almost twice the horsepower? I bet the BMW guy didn't know how to drive.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
That is not the case here in California
Originally Posted by 2000 green hornet
Here in New Orleans we can get Shell V-Power premium gasoline for a good price. The octane is close to 94 but for some reason they can only advertise it at 93. From the sotp feeling when I use this I can sense faster acceleration. Probably the C5 2000 Vette engine that I have is able to make even more horsepower than with 93. Probably the knock sensor can advance the timing just a little more.
Andy
Andy
The highest octane here is 91 Octane.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 12,735
Likes: 28
From: Kayenta Utah
The knock sensor will pull back the timing a few clicks before you actually hear pinging. C5s had a slight problem with knocking at initial throttle tip in, but it was no big deal. If you run lower than 91 octane at sea level, your timing may be pulled back slightly in the heat or at high rpms, but it's not something you'd really notice on a normally aspirated motor.
On my Vortech-supercharged Z-28, I had a manual timing retard unit in the cockpit, to protect against pre-ignition. If I ran $5-a-gallon 100 octane no lead, it wasn't a problem, and there was a substantial power difference above 4500 rpm. This is not an issue on stock engines.
On my Vortech-supercharged Z-28, I had a manual timing retard unit in the cockpit, to protect against pre-ignition. If I ran $5-a-gallon 100 octane no lead, it wasn't a problem, and there was a substantial power difference above 4500 rpm. This is not an issue on stock engines.
