87 gas
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: cleveland
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?>
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.
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; Feb 6, 2009 at 01:12 PM. Reason: sp
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
From: Zeeland, MI
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.
So wen i made the switch i could notice the car moving out a big quicker.
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, CA
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.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,115
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From: Reading, Pennsylvania
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.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 622
Likes: 1
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.
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.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
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..
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..
You would think the "SS" package would denote more performance therefore a higher demand for performance fuel. 
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 0
From: Reading, Pennsylvania
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.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
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..
