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lowering compression ratio to run on 87?

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Old 12-08-2004, 06:34 PM
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Default lowering compression ratio to run on 87?

is this possible? I'm thinking of going w/ a H/C swap down the road a bit and he sticky in this thread got me to thinking.. Could i still make good power with a lower CR and be able to save 20 cents a gallon? i hope i hope i h ope. and how low of a Cr would i have to go with? thanks in advance guys!
Old 12-08-2004, 06:49 PM
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yes this is possible...but i don't know if it would be worth the 20cents a gallon difference...since you will be making quite a bit less power
Old 12-08-2004, 06:55 PM
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Don't take this the wrong way but the car you should be driving is a 2V GT. They drink 87.
Old 12-08-2004, 08:04 PM
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Read the post about how much compression you can run. I think you would be better off keeping the compression and lowering the timing. Then you could run lower octane gas and if you want to get all the power back, just up the timing. JMO
Old 12-08-2004, 08:20 PM
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You are kinda like a couple customers I have had that get all into buying a 2500HD crewcab long box w/ 4.10's to haul stuff with, AND THEN get concerned about gas mileage. Honestly, i don't think you'd be very happy with the results with what you want to do.

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Old 12-08-2004, 09:02 PM
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if you cant afford the extra 20 cents per gallon, then get a honda for a daily driver or something! but when you think about it, if you buy 14 gallons of gas at 1.90 it will cost you $26.60! now if you spend the extra 20 cents it will only be $29.40! three more dollars! now come on if you cant cough up that much more money for gas then you dont need to be driving something with that much power!
Old 12-08-2004, 11:28 PM
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Instead of a Honda, you could think of a cheap beater car like an early 90's Dodge. You can get a couple for less than 1000 dollars..no joke. (I have one..300 dollars hehe)

But if you have to, I would also agree that lowering the timing would be the best bet.
Old 12-09-2004, 12:15 AM
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Installing heads/cam on an LS1 motor, and then tuning it for 87 octane is about the most retarded idea I have ever heard.....No offense.

Seriously, buy yourself a cheap beater and don't disgrace your car like that. You can guy a decent/reliable Honda for 800-1000 bucks in most places, and will go 30mpg.

My 89 Honda Civic, with 190K on the clock still goes 35mpg on the highway.
Old 12-09-2004, 09:15 AM
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My Grandmother asks me all the time if it bothers me to pay for premium fuel. I tell her that the day I decided to buy this car the price of fuel became irrelevent. It needs 93, it gets 93. Luckily I have a daily driver that helps offset that.

Last edited by SSCamaro99_3; 12-09-2004 at 09:30 AM.
Old 12-09-2004, 09:28 AM
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My mom is 73 years old, on a fixed income and only runs premium in her super charged Riveria. Hmmmmm wonder where I got got the speed bug?
Old 12-09-2004, 01:31 PM
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I think by far the easiest way is to just pull timing.
Old 12-09-2004, 01:41 PM
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In California it is very rare to find 93 octane, we're stuck with 91 unless you add race fuel. I have never had a problem with stock timing on 91 octane, even at elevated air and engine temperature. Try a midgrade and save 10 cents a gallon.

The only reason to drop CR is for FI, which is sometimes questionable.
Old 12-09-2004, 02:01 PM
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I will be running 9.1:1 CR in my car and she will see 93 no mater what. I will also be slapping a turbo and a bottle on it. If you want better gas mileage eather A. Always drive down hill or B. get the smallest engen car you can find and make that your beater. I have a 2.XXX camory for my beater it has 178k on it and i get 32-35mpg on a trip. It would get better but i like to drive fast.
Old 12-09-2004, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by SSCamaro99_3
My Grandmother asks me all the time if it bothers me to pay for premium fuel. I tell her that the day I decided to buy this car the price of fuel became irrelevent. It needs 93, it gets 93. Luckily I have a daily driver that helps offset that.


If I wanted to save gas and use poor fuel I would of got a civic.
Old 12-22-2004, 05:40 PM
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alrite alrite, thanks guys for putting me back in my right mind. I was hoping that i could do it and not loose too much power but BAH, why would i want less power to save 20 cents a gallon. not a good tradeoff.
Old 12-22-2004, 08:04 PM
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compression = power

low compression (n/a) =




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