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Topic: what gas to use

in Forum: C4 Engines

what gas to use

Posted: 3/22/09 8:43am Message 1 of 17
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
after reading mm post about him wanting to use regular gas, i got me wondering. i know that they say a corvette can run on regular gas but i have always been told it had to use premium.

i have a L98. i put on a new throttle body with 52mm opening instead of the stock 48 and the injectors are 24# instead of 22#. the exhaust was changed to hi flow converter and low backpressure mufflers.

any thoughts on this would be appreciated.





















the dynamic duo


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what gas to use

Posted: 3/22/09 9:12am Message 2 of 17
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Vette(s): Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe
I always use the highest octane I can find in everything I own...yep...including my lawnmower.

There is just too much blended fuel from all manufacturers for me to chance pre-detonation or gunk.

If you must; experiment with lower grades (mid grade) from the larger oil co. first....if you find any pre-detonation; go back up to the premium grade.



G/L



Jim





what gas to use

Posted: 3/26/09 1:05pm Message 3 of 17
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My 87 is a Canadian model ( I don't know if there is a difference) the only reference to fuel marked on the car is "unleaded only".
I generally use regular from one of the bigger companies and have had no problems.
I expect that that the ECU adjusts to the octane and my power will be down accordingly.
This is not a problem to me as I believe in balance in a sports car rather than raw power.
 
Regards: TGR



what gas to use

Posted: 3/29/09 6:07am Message 4 of 17
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Powhatan, VA - USA
Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 305
Vette(s): 1996 Polo Green LT1 Coupe
[QUOTE=eddie20890]after reading mm post about him wanting to use regular gas, i got me wondering. i know that they say a corvette can run on regular gas but i have always been told it had to use premium.

i have a L98. i put on a new throttle body with 52mm opening instead of the stock 48 and the injectors are 24# instead of 22#. the exhaust was changed to hi flow converter and low backpressure mufflers.

any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
[/QUOTE]
 
With lower octane fuel the knock sensors will likely cause the ECM to retard the timing...so that said.. IMO if you keep the same driving style your MPG will suffer to some degree using regular fuel as will your performance.   JMO stick with premium.

(fixed quote box)
Adams' Apple2009-03-31 10:18:49


what gas to use

Posted: 3/31/09 8:46am Message 5 of 17
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Morris Plains, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/21/2009
Posts: 6
Vette(s): 95 MT polo / saddle 02 Z06 black / black
loss of about 10 hp using regular-same effect you would feel if you had a passenger on board vs driving just yourself
 
Steve



what gas to use

Posted: 4/3/09 10:48am Message 6 of 17
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Canada
Joined: 4/1/2009
Posts: 12
Vette(s): 1996 Artic White Coupe LT4
i agree...  better to use premium at all time Thumbs Up   on my 92 near the gaz cap there is a note *** premium RECOMMANDED***


what gas to use

Posted: 4/20/09 3:47pm Message 7 of 17
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I started using 87 octane fuel when gas prices exceeded $4 per gallon last summer because I was told the ECU would compensate for the change in octane.  I was also told that I would see lower gas mileage as a result of this change and that the thirty cents I would save on gallons of gas would be lost in my MPG.  I saw no difference.  I believe any Vette, 1982 and newer can use 87 octane without any problems with the car.  Google it just to be sure.  I also just took apart my motor for an upgrade and the motor looked brand new.  Synthetic oil, can't say enough good things about it.


what gas to use

Posted: 12/23/09 10:45am Message 8 of 17
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I have a 96 LT1 that is my daily driver and I use regular fuel from Wawa and no problems. The computer adjusts very well. 


what gas to use

Posted: 12/23/09 12:17pm Message 9 of 17
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Odenton, MD - USA
Joined: 12/21/2009
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Vette(s): 1987 T5 5 speed ,cast iron head motor (no history on this) Z-51 Bright red with gray leather interior Greenwood spoiler,Corvette Central muffler eliminators and American Racing 16" Gotti replicas.
has anyone used octane booster in their fuel? I considered this option


what gas to use

Posted: 12/23/09 1:49pm Message 10 of 17
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Vette(s): Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe
[QUOTE=LewLinda1199]has anyone used octane booster in their fuel? I considered this option[/QUOTE]

Yeas, but most store bought octane boosters do NOT  move full points  (90.9 to 91.9)
They mostly move so small (if at all) . 90.8 to 90.9.

To achieve moving full points you have to spend dollars, or make it yourself.

Do a search on "rocket fuel" there is a recipe that moves octane in full points.

On track days I will blend premium gas with racing fuel to achieve the octane rating I want, and still be able to street drive (traffic w/AC) the rest of the fuel, and then do a re-learn when I am going back to the crappy pump gas.

Another thing to remember is; though the pump states the fuel you are purchasing is (lets say) 90.9, it isnt, thats the formulated rating at the plant...
...whats at the pump may be 89.9 maybe 90.1 or 2.
Gas does get old and stale (obviously), but station owners do not go out and test their fuel nor do they test and "boost" to pump fuel "as rated" once its in their tanks.




Jim



in Forum: C4 Engines


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