Which octane??
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Mission Viejo California
Which octane??
In a couple weeks, I plan to spend a couple days at a track with my '16 Z51 Stingray. Totally stock.
I see that the track, in California, is miles from the nearest town, has several gasoline options - 91, 95.5, 101 and 110 (leaded).
I'm just wondering, if I were to buy a tankful (or two) of anything other than the 91 octane, (the highest available in California {thank you Mary Nichols, you jerk}, and your CARB gestapo), (1) how long would it take for the computer to learn and take advantage of the higher octane, and (2) would the difference be all that seat-of-the-pants noticeable? I'm far from an experienced track driver - intermediate at best in my opinion, but would i feel the difference? I wouldn't consider the leaded option - don't want to shorten the live of my catalytic converter.
Your comments and opinions will be appreciated.
I see that the track, in California, is miles from the nearest town, has several gasoline options - 91, 95.5, 101 and 110 (leaded).
I'm just wondering, if I were to buy a tankful (or two) of anything other than the 91 octane, (the highest available in California {thank you Mary Nichols, you jerk}, and your CARB gestapo), (1) how long would it take for the computer to learn and take advantage of the higher octane, and (2) would the difference be all that seat-of-the-pants noticeable? I'm far from an experienced track driver - intermediate at best in my opinion, but would i feel the difference? I wouldn't consider the leaded option - don't want to shorten the live of my catalytic converter.
Your comments and opinions will be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Mission Viejo California
What does that mean? Your recommendation? What you regularly use? Something else?
I would run 100 or 101, or even 93 like many do, if it were available where I live. But unfortunately 91 is the highest octane genreally and economically available where I live.
I would run 100 or 101, or even 93 like many do, if it were available where I live. But unfortunately 91 is the highest octane genreally and economically available where I live.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Mission Viejo California
OK. Thanks.
It's not a big deal, but do you think I would feel the difference?
91 octane = $5.76/gal
95.5 octane = $9.00/gal
101 octane = $10.00/gal
Is the juice worth the squeeze for the higher octane at my driving skill level? I'm thinking not, unless I could really feel the difference. Just thinking out loud.
It's not a big deal, but do you think I would feel the difference?
91 octane = $5.76/gal
95.5 octane = $9.00/gal
101 octane = $10.00/gal
Is the juice worth the squeeze for the higher octane at my driving skill level? I'm thinking not, unless I could really feel the difference. Just thinking out loud.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 64
From: Prescott AZ Gilbert AZ
OK. Thanks.
It's not a big deal, but do you think I would feel the difference?
91 octane = $5.76/gal
95.5 octane = $9.00/gal
101 octane = $10.00/gal
Is the juice worth the squeeze for the higher octane at my driving skill level? I'm thinking not, unless I could really feel the difference. Just thinking out loud.
It's not a big deal, but do you think I would feel the difference?
91 octane = $5.76/gal
95.5 octane = $9.00/gal
101 octane = $10.00/gal
Is the juice worth the squeeze for the higher octane at my driving skill level? I'm thinking not, unless I could really feel the difference. Just thinking out loud.
Going to 95 might give some additional power and avoid knock retard.
Doubt you'd feel it in your seat of pants... A pro driver might see a difference in lap times.
On a dragstrip you would see the difference.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 4,529
Likes: 41
From: CA
C5 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
High octane is not going to noticeably increase your horsepower but it will prevent knock at high RPM and is far better for your engine. Plus it feels super cool fuel up at the Speedway gas station.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 237
Likes: 78
From: San Diego CA
Most cars that have a recommended minimum of 93 octane (like ours) respond pretty well to anything above ACN 91 (arizona, california, nevada 91 octane. it's all the same)
The car isn't going to go beyond the factory HP rating much, if at all. What it will do is actually make the power it should be making. You're not making what the car is rated at with ACN 91. Driving across the border to oregon and filling up with 92 octane you can feel a subtle difference. Mixing 2 gallons of 101 octane into a full tank will give you right around 92 octane and give you the same result.
The car isn't going to go beyond the factory HP rating much, if at all. What it will do is actually make the power it should be making. You're not making what the car is rated at with ACN 91. Driving across the border to oregon and filling up with 92 octane you can feel a subtle difference. Mixing 2 gallons of 101 octane into a full tank will give you right around 92 octane and give you the same result.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I run Boostane Professional in every tank just to make sure my car is making factory HP and don't have to worry about the quality of gas, 1/3 can in each tank puts me around 95/96 octane using 93 that we have readily available here in STL.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 557
I run all day with 91 octane in my GS. This includes 100 degree plus days. Car will be fine, you just might leave some power on the table if your car pulls timing. Note, this is for a NA C7 and not the FI versions.
Last edited by rb185afm; Mar 11, 2019 at 05:22 PM.
