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Old May 30, 2022 | 02:15 PM
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Default Regular or mid grade fuel

Is anyone using regular or mid grade due to the gas prices? Is it safe to do so? Just paid 6 dollars per gallon for premium. I'm going to be taking a road trip soon and looking at the possibility of using mid grade
Old May 30, 2022 | 02:16 PM
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On every vehicle I can, but unfortunately every vehicle I have takes premium unleaded except for one
Old May 30, 2022 | 02:25 PM
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I always run top tier premium. Its only a few dollars more per tank. Im in Ca. and paying almost $7 for premium now. These cars get decent milage anyway. I just returned from a 500 road trip this morning. Always a blast driving my corvette.
Old May 30, 2022 | 02:40 PM
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I have not in this corvette! Seems like years ago I used mid grade in another corvette and it ran fine. I would saw as long as it’s top tier you will be fine. I use 93 octane Chevron 100% of the time in this vette.
Old May 30, 2022 | 03:10 PM
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I'd be afraid to run anything less than 91 octane in these cars. Even using 91 octane I can hear mild pinging at part throttle (never at full throttle though) When I run 93 or 94 octane that pinging goes away. The spark advance curve at part throttle is very aggressive in these cars, and so they are very sensitive to low octane. Running 87 octane is just a recipe for disaster.
Old May 30, 2022 | 03:32 PM
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I am also using premium and I am lucky there is a Costco just across the Freeway. We know where they are and try to plan our trip accordingly.

I also try to maintain a steady speed so it will kick into 4 cylinder mode. That helps.


Old May 30, 2022 | 05:06 PM
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Nothing but 93 octane for my Vette, not worth saving a few bucks to use anything but what is recommended.
Old May 30, 2022 | 06:07 PM
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Let's say you go on a 1,000mi road trip, and you average 25mpg. Let's say premium costs a full dollar more per gallon. It will cost you $40 more to run premium fuel on that road trip.

Is $40 in savings worth it to you? I can't imagine it is.

I only run 93 octane Shell V-Power in my C7.
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Old May 30, 2022 | 06:17 PM
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I only run 93 octane as not worth the risk in running less. Kroger food stores premium is Shell 93 octane in my area, so using our food purchase points will typically knock cost down 20>30 cents per gallon.
I prefer Shell.
Old May 30, 2022 | 07:04 PM
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What is your elevation? My mechanic says 85 is fine if you're above 4,000 feet. I'm at 6,000 and use 87.
Old May 30, 2022 | 07:17 PM
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Nothing but the highest in NC 93
Old May 30, 2022 | 07:38 PM
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Why would you use anything else other than Premium. I do not like the gas prices but it is not worth it to me to try a lower fuel.
Old May 30, 2022 | 07:46 PM
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According to the manual for the LT1:

"Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating as low as 87 may be used, but it will reduce performance and fuel economy."

(91 octane for the LT4)
Old May 30, 2022 | 07:47 PM
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When I want to use 87 octane in the race-car style engine I reduce compression ratio around 9.4:1 and add a turbocharger,

For 87 octane limit boost to approx 3-5psi ~400rwhp max @ roughly 5.5L displacement
For 93 octane it can 650rwhp ~20psi of boost
For E85 it will 1000rwhp ~28psi of boost

Then it will have its cake while eating cake but not at the same time with the same tank of fuel


Old May 30, 2022 | 08:26 PM
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I'm lucky to find 93 around here, I actually don't remember the last time I saw it. 91 seems to be the standard unless I want to drive quite a way to get it.
Old May 30, 2022 | 09:12 PM
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Ok. I think I have a consensus now. The attitudes however I didn't ask for. Mods please close this thread. Thanks
Old May 30, 2022 | 09:35 PM
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I love burning premium. It is such a small cost of ownership I don’t mind.
Old May 30, 2022 | 10:54 PM
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For the Vette, I still use premium unleaded.

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