Which octane to use?
Which octane to use? After ten years of wishing, I just picked up a 2002 Formula on Monday morning. My question (well, my most immediate question) is do I need to use premium gas? My last car was a 2004 Grand Prix GTP which REQUIRED premium fuel... I had heard that 91 octane is recommended for the LS1. Our gas here is 87, 89, or 93 octane (regular, mid, premium). Can I run the 89 or is the 93 a necessity? TIA.
(Yes, I searched but couldn't find a direct answer to this question.)
(Yes, I searched but couldn't find a direct answer to this question.)
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From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by Ten32
...My last car was a 2004 Grand Prix GTP which REQUIRED premium fuel... I had heard that 91 octane is recommended for the LS1. Our gas here is 87, 89, or 93 octane (regular, mid, premium). Can I run the 89 or is the 93 a necessity? TIA.
(Yes, I searched but couldn't find a direct answer to this question.)
(Yes, I searched but couldn't find a direct answer to this question.)
Like any high compression motors, all of them need 91 octane. They state 91 because not all cities/states have 92 or even 93 octane.
If you do not use 91 or better and drive it hard, more so in the heat or summer, you will get alot of detonation.
Just do youself and your car a favor, and only use 91 or better.
Peace,
Craig.
Dunno about out there, but around here the difference between 89 and 93 is cents... Why risk it to save an average of 3-4 bucks? I don't use anything but 93. Congrats on the Formy, one of the best looking 4th gens 
-J
-J
+1 Here in Indiana we have 91 and 93, just depends on the station. I try to go to Sunoco which has 93 and I use that most of the time, but I don't notice any difference with 91.
Originally Posted by Jon5212
+1 Here in Indiana we have 91 and 93, just depends on the station. I try to go to Sunoco which has 93 and I use that most of the time, but I don't notice any difference with 91.
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From: Just This Side of Damnation
I'm glad you searched, but as this has been covered about a hundred times I'm surprised you didn't get any hits on it.
I get better mileage out of premium, but when I use lower octanes I don't have any problems. Any detonations will automatically get timing pulled and you won't have it any more. I've never heard any of it out of my engine with all octanes in all temps/weather.
You'll be safe unless you're one of those drivers that flogs your ride like a rented mule at all times. I don't have any experience with that in my car since I'm no longer a kid. I just do that occasionally, and still haven't seen any issues develop.
I get better mileage out of premium, but when I use lower octanes I don't have any problems. Any detonations will automatically get timing pulled and you won't have it any more. I've never heard any of it out of my engine with all octanes in all temps/weather.
You'll be safe unless you're one of those drivers that flogs your ride like a rented mule at all times. I don't have any experience with that in my car since I'm no longer a kid. I just do that occasionally, and still haven't seen any issues develop.
