Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

How much Octane is TOO much?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 8, 2002 | 05:21 AM
  #1  
Black LS1 T/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Default How much Octane is TOO much?

If it is unleaded gas, can you put too high an octane gas in that it hurts your performance or your car?

I usually put in 100 or 104 if I want high octane. But I've seen unleaded 108 and even octane rating in the 100-teens at the track. Admittedly, there's likely a point where it no longer helps. But, is there a point that it actually HURTS?

Thanks!
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 06:05 AM
  #2  
y2khawk's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 1
From: Olmsted Falls, OH
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

Yes

Unless you are upping the timing or compression to require the octane you'll be pushing the combustion event too far past TDC. That results in incomplete combustion and loss of cylinder pressure. And thus a loss of power.

You can have too much octane <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 06:34 AM
  #3  
Black LS1 T/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

Thanks! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Your comment being said, does anyone care to speculate how high is too much? I'd think 104 is fine. How about 108? 116? Is there anyone who has experimented with different high-level unleaded octane fuel and found the down point?
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 01:33 PM
  #4  
SS00Blue's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by y2khawk:
<strong>You can have too much octane <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sure, but YOU can't, canya? Hmm? Hmmm?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Black LS1 T/A:
<strong>Your comment being said, does anyone care to speculate how high is too much? I'd think 104 is fine. How about 108? 116? Is there anyone who has experimented with different high-level unleaded octane fuel and found the down point?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Check your KR. I leaned on my combo with the MAFT more than I would EVER have expected with just 93. It took a seriously lean A/F to produce some KR. Then I just knocked it back. The thing is just an animal now.

IMO, if your not seeing KR on 93, you're just wasting your money...

SC

<small>[ May 08, 2002, 01:38 PM: Message edited by: SS00Blue ]</small>
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 01:41 PM
  #5  
y2khawk's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 1
From: Olmsted Falls, OH
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by SS00Blue:
<strong>Sure, but YOU can't, canya? Hmm? Hmmm?
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nope <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Just fill it with C16 and crank the **** till the heads lift. Than back it off half a turn <img border="0" alt="[devil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />

You think i'm joking, i know you do <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 01:41 PM
  #6  
Black LS1 T/A's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

Hmmm ... I thought it was not untypical for blowers/turbos to require more than 93 Octane at medium to high boost levels.
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 01:46 PM
  #7  
y2khawk's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,491
Likes: 1
From: Olmsted Falls, OH
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

it depends. Effective compression and advance dictate the required octane

I ran 8 to 9 psi on 94 pump gas, making about 500RWHP.

leaving the advance unchanged, it needed to run 100 ocatne to get to 10+ psi and near 600 RWHP.

Too many ***** that can be turned just give a simple yes/no answer or an octane requirement.

Fix all other quantities, and then determine the octane needed

check this out for an idea

http://www.turbofast.com.au/TFcompB.html
Reply
Old May 8, 2002 | 07:18 PM
  #8  
Crazyquik's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,556
Likes: 0
From: Nawf Carolina
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

The difference is merely in performance though. You aren't harming the engine by running excessive octane, right?

Too much timing on the other hand puts excessive stress on the wrist pins and rods.

J.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 8, 2002 | 07:31 PM
  #9  
SS00Blue's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by y2khawk:
[QBJust fill it with C16 and crank the **** till the heads lift. Than back it off half a turn

You think i'm joking, i know you do[/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Nope. I think I saw the indentations in your hood. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

Running too much octane doesn't damage an engine the way detonation can, but as Matt said, it retards the combustion process. Just work what you can get at the pump with the scan/atap/etc that you use, and it'll wash as you adjust. If your combo is stupid radical, the KR will show it. If not, you have more room for idiocy, or you can run that Sunoco 78 octane now... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

SC
Reply
Old May 9, 2002 | 02:49 AM
  #10  
Nickn20's Avatar
9 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
Default Re: How much Octane is TOO much?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Crazyquik:
<strong>The difference is merely in performance though. You aren't harming the engine by running excessive octane, right?

Too much timing on the other hand puts excessive stress on the wrist pins and rods.

J.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">too much timing can cause detonation. run just enough octane to prevent this, thats all you need. LS1 edit is s beatiful thing, have two programs one for pump gas, and one for race gas, this way you wont have to worry about seeing too much boost on the street with a 3.2 pulley, just retard some timing.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE