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87 gas

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Old 02-06-2009, 12:21 PM
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Default 87 gas

My car is bone stock just curious if it actually makes a difference between putting 87 or 93 in. if it takes 87 does'nt that mean that it will run best on 87 and anything else would be a waste?>
Old 02-06-2009, 12:25 PM
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I've been putting 93 in mine ever since i got it. i dont know how much of a difference it really means when it comes to performance or keeping the engine components associated with combustion clean, but im getting mine tuned next week to run on 93 so i'll feel like it will actually be worth it at that time.
Old 02-06-2009, 12:30 PM
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The car is made for Prem fuel only. If you have any types of issues and the dealer see that you have put in a lower grade fuel, that can mess up your warranty
Old 02-06-2009, 01:11 PM
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The difference in price is nil, if that's whats holding you back, at least run mid grade. If you do the math, it probably only $100-$200 a year more for the good stuff, plus as stated before it will help keep your combustion chamber cleaner. And will keep your knock sensor from going hay wire!

Last edited by LS4SPEED; 02-06-2009 at 01:12 PM. Reason: sp
Old 02-06-2009, 01:41 PM
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When i bought my car it didn't come with an owners manual, and i ran 87 in it for over a month. Got on here and some gave me a pdf. manual and i read 93.

So wen i made the switch i could notice the car moving out a big quicker.
Old 02-06-2009, 01:58 PM
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i recall seeing or reading 91 recommended, 87 still okay
Old 02-06-2009, 02:02 PM
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Wouldn't less and less KR readings over time allow the engine to adjust to the higher octane? Versus always having more KR due to the lower 87 octane? Either way, I wouldn't skimp on your baby and give her premium.
Old 02-06-2009, 02:28 PM
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No, running lower grade gas will cause more KR and end up chipping a piston and casue more damage.

Just Run 91+ and you will be fine. Remember, its an SS for Super Sport not Super Slow.
Old 02-06-2009, 05:03 PM
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I had mine tuned for 87, but when I am spraying the car I run 93. I've had mine for a year and 95% of the time I run 87, with no problems.
Old 02-06-2009, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by fastLS4
The car is made for Prem fuel only. If you have any types of issues and the dealer see that you have put in a lower grade fuel, that can mess up your warranty
Incorrect. If premium was required, it would state so. Recommended and required are two different things. She'll run fine on 87. May have a "loss in performance" to an extent, don't know that it's actually noticeable. I've never ran mine on 87 myself, I used 89 for the first few months I had the car. Been using 92/93 since. Buddy of mine has always used 87 in his 06 SS since brand new with no problems.
Old 02-07-2009, 01:00 AM
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Can run on 87, may experience some KR, optimzied to run on higher octanes of gas (91-94).
Old 02-07-2009, 06:09 AM
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Here is the manual quote:

Gasoline Octane
For all vehicles except those with the 5.3L V8 engine
(VIN Code C), use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane
rating is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code C),
use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also use regular
unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher, but
your vehicle’s acceleration may be slightly reduced,
and you may notice a slight audible knocking noise,
commonly referred to as spark knock. If the octane
is less than 87, you may notice a heavy knocking noise
when you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. Otherwise,
you might damage your engine. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you hear
heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
Old 02-08-2009, 07:04 PM
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read the manual it says 91+ just do so
Old 02-08-2009, 10:04 PM
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i have put 87 in the car before and it ran fine, but i did notice the performace was not as good. The car just didnt feel like it had the torque to throw u back into your seat.. Then at the times were fuel was over 4 dollars a gallon, i mixed 87 and 93 together, about half and half and the car ran better. Now i run straight 93 since prices are not as high..

Overall do the 91+ b/c 87 octane to your car is like Giving a human 2 hours of sleep and then telling him to run 20 miles.. Not going to be at his full potential..
Old 02-08-2009, 10:19 PM
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The book is written in a confusing way, so much that my dealer delivered my car with 87 octane in it.
Old 02-09-2009, 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Kazmaniac
The book is written in a confusing way, so much that my dealer delivered my car with 87 octane in it.
You would think the "SS" package would denote more performance therefore a higher demand for performance fuel.
Old 02-09-2009, 07:46 AM
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the price between 87 and 93 isnt enough to make you rich.
Old 02-09-2009, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by cherrygxp
the price between 87 and 93 isnt enough to make you rich.
or poor
Old 02-09-2009, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by neilownz
or poor
That's my view on it. I could care less if I have a performance loss, and while I know I'm not going to have any problems, it's not much of a difference when you fill up so I don't really think twice about putting in 92/93. If I get to the point where I really need that extra 2 bucks in my pocket, I've got bigger problems than what type of gas to use haha.
Old 02-09-2009, 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by steveman0018
i have put 87 in the car before and it ran fine, but i did notice the performace was not as good. The car just didnt feel like it had the torque to throw u back into your seat.. Then at the times were fuel was over 4 dollars a gallon, i mixed 87 and 93 together, about half and half and the car ran better. Now i run straight 93 since prices are not as high..
I agree. I once ran a tank of 87 in the GXP and it did not run bad but noticeably sluggish. I can only get 91 in El Paso but it works well. I think the elevation here hurts the car, wish I could get 93 like on the east coast. ( El Paso, TX is 3695ft above sea level)




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