lt1 problems
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: San Tan Valley, AZ
lt1 problems i have a 96 z28 when i got about 3 months ago it ran fine but since started running 89 octane since thats all thats aviable in my area the car will miss or shudder severaly under a load at rpms of about 1200-2500. about 2 weeks ago i tried 91 octane and the car quit missing and ran great, then i went back to 89 and it runs even worse now.
if any one has any ideas i would greately appreciate it.
if any one has any ideas i would greately appreciate it.
If the car run runs funny with 89, but fine with 91, I think youve found the problem. 
I personally use 93 every time, it also says you should use premium on the gas flap. Yes it costs more, but youre driving a Trans Am here. This aint no Honda. 
I personally use 93 every time, it also says you should use premium on the gas flap. Yes it costs more, but youre driving a Trans Am here. This aint no Honda. Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: San Tan Valley, AZ
the owners manual recomends premium but says that it will run on less octane gas,and also my sisters a 1996 black Z28 auto runs just fine on 89 and it has 130,000 miles, does any one have any other opinions other than just to run 91 because where i live the only gas aviably is 85 and 89 octane unless i drive 80 miles.
Originally Posted by 96z28
the owners manual recomends premium but says that it will run on less octane gas
Basically that means if you hit it hard it will miss and not run well.
There's really no other fix other than to run better gas or not get on it hard.
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Originally Posted by infinitebird
It also says that "your vehicle may not accelerate as well" if you do that.
Basically that means if you hit it hard it will miss and not run well.
There's really no other fix other than to run better gas or not get on it hard.
Basically that means if you hit it hard it will miss and not run well.
There's really no other fix other than to run better gas or not get on it hard.
the manual states that for people that want to use cheaper fuel to know they can't expect maximum performance. THEORETICALLY, a STOCK LT1 can run 87 all day aslong as the knock retard system works with no damge to the engine, but it will definitely feel slow. best advice is to stay at or below 70% throttle and the car shouldn't detonate. also consider moving to a place where ther is more than 2 octane choices, or get a cavalier or something like that to dailydrive and only drive this car for fun, and keep high octane in it.
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....... 87..........2.50 89............2.60 91..............2.90-300, if you cant afford to spend the extra change sell ur car and buy a beater, i hear geo metros get great MPG, but no SPG (smiles per gallon). 
guys keep in mind it will take him 1/2 tank round trip to get that premium octane. lets not 
him too hard. BTW, where do you live? maybe you need to buy fuel by the 55 gallon drum and get it delivered to your house.
him too hard. BTW, where do you live? maybe you need to buy fuel by the 55 gallon drum and get it delivered to your house. 
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Texas
low octane gas
Originally Posted by 96z28
i have a 96 z28 when i got about 3 months ago it ran fine but since started running 89 octane since thats all thats aviable in my area the car will miss or shudder severaly under a load at rpms of about 1200-2500. about 2 weeks ago i tried 91 octane and the car quit missing and ran great, then i went back to 89 and it runs even worse now.
if any one has any ideas i would greately appreciate it.
if any one has any ideas i would greately appreciate it.
All i use to run was supreme in the tank. Sucks hard having to put lower grade fuel in, Does anyone kknow if octane booster will help at all? 
Sounds like you want athletic performace on a Ramen Noodle only diet. You can't get there from here.....
The only thing I've found in the "Octane Boost Can" usage is increased fouling of my plugs. Orange crap all over the insulator/plug tip.
There's a Buick G/N site that lists a method of mixing Xylene or Toluene with gas to raise the Octane level but some guys have reported that use of these chemicals can harm the plastics in our Fbody fuel systems. Aside from that, even if you purchase these chemicals by the gallon at most paint stores (Sherwin Williams, etc) the increased costs can diminish your enthusiasm for this potential solution.
Read here to get "first person" info on this.
http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=39482
The only thing I've found in the "Octane Boost Can" usage is increased fouling of my plugs. Orange crap all over the insulator/plug tip.
There's a Buick G/N site that lists a method of mixing Xylene or Toluene with gas to raise the Octane level but some guys have reported that use of these chemicals can harm the plastics in our Fbody fuel systems. Aside from that, even if you purchase these chemicals by the gallon at most paint stores (Sherwin Williams, etc) the increased costs can diminish your enthusiasm for this potential solution.
Read here to get "first person" info on this.
http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=39482