Old school performance tricks do not work with todays modern engines. Even the small amount of lead in low lead Avgas will ruin your cat convertors. 
High octane fuel question.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
High octane fuel question.
I am searching for assistance on the Pro's and Con's of running Aviation Fuel (Av Gas) in my '08 Zo6.
I am a Senior Citizen that still loves speed and performance. My car is totally stock and I plan to keep it that way but, I remember back in the day of carburators and no computers, a tank load of Av gas was a helluva booster. It's 100 octane low lead, not up there with racing fuels but, should be good for the street.
I thought i'd get knowledgeable information from some of you mechanical geniuses out there before filling-up.
I am a Senior Citizen that still loves speed and performance. My car is totally stock and I plan to keep it that way but, I remember back in the day of carburators and no computers, a tank load of Av gas was a helluva booster. It's 100 octane low lead, not up there with racing fuels but, should be good for the street.
I thought i'd get knowledgeable information from some of you mechanical geniuses out there before filling-up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
If your cats are bad, you'll most likely get a "check engine" light indicating a visit to the repair shop is needed. Oxygen sensors, located before and aft of the cats, check the catalyic function by measuring the differences in the exhaust gases before and after passing thru the cats. If there is little or no difference, the light comes and the problem codes are stored in the engine computer and can be later read by the shop's OB ll scanner.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,017
Likes: 2
The engine was rated with 93 octane fuel. If you can find that, use it. Higher octane fuel will not do anything for you unless you have the car tuned for that fuel. Problem with that is you will have to exclusively use that fuel or performance will suffer. As others have mentioned, even minimal amounts of lead will poison O2 sensors and catalytic converters.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Hey guys! . . . Thanks for all the useful info. Could be the start of my dementia. . . . :-)
I'm totall aware of what lead does to all the fore mentioned parts but, I hadn't even think about those damn catalytic converters, O2 sensors, etc. but, I did have concerns with the lead in the motor, though.
Well, it's now a fleeing thought. Thanks for reminding an old fart about the facts of "new school" performance. I guess i'll have to try and get the jump on the young guns on 91 octane! . . . :-) Thanks, again .... Consider me "schooled"
I'm totall aware of what lead does to all the fore mentioned parts but, I hadn't even think about those damn catalytic converters, O2 sensors, etc. but, I did have concerns with the lead in the motor, though.
Well, it's now a fleeing thought. Thanks for reminding an old fart about the facts of "new school" performance. I guess i'll have to try and get the jump on the young guns on 91 octane! . . . :-) Thanks, again .... Consider me "schooled"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Hey guys! . . . Thanks for all the useful info. Could be the start of my dementia. . . . :-)
I'm totall aware of what lead does to all the fore mentioned parts but, I hadn't even think about those damn catalytic converters, O2 sensors, etc. but, I did have concerns with the lead in the motor, though.
Well, it's now a fleeing thought. Thanks for reminding an old fart about the facts of "new school" performance. I guess i'll have to try and get the jump on the young guns on 91 octane! . . . :-) Thanks, again .... Consider me "schooled"
I'm totall aware of what lead does to all the fore mentioned parts but, I hadn't even think about those damn catalytic converters, O2 sensors, etc. but, I did have concerns with the lead in the motor, though.
Well, it's now a fleeing thought. Thanks for reminding an old fart about the facts of "new school" performance. I guess i'll have to try and get the jump on the young guns on 91 octane! . . . :-) Thanks, again .... Consider me "schooled"
Hey, we're all allowed a bit of brain lapse, especially us old farts.
