What gas grade are you running?

[STLDAVE]

So the title should indicate what this is going to be about. But getting to my point, I am considering running the rest of the 87 in the tank out now and then maybe running about half a tank of Premium just to gain an idea of the combustion/performance difference. Not that the rig is too under-powered but in theory, wouldn't the higher grade fuel give you that v8 feel? Thoughts/opinions on this from anyone who has already done this or anyone who was maybe thinking of doing the same?:shrug:

Instead of going to the more expensive premium for more power it would be cheaper, in the long run, to install a Trail Edition hood. You'll get the same affect and it looks better too.

 

[1engineer]

Do you have any data to support your 10-11% improvement in fuel economy?

I have done the same thing Mike. I did not get 10-11% better but I did get about 6-8% better gas milage. I ran 87 both with and without ethanol blend. At the end of the day though the cost difference made the better fuel economy a wash. I got +1 to +1.5 mpg better but I was paying at least that much more for pure gas. Octane means nothing for economy.

 

[OrangeTexan]

Your ECU is tuned for 87, run 87. If you are elevation, 85. If you run higher octane, you might get better mileage and performance from the decreased weight from removing the extra money from your wallet. Your ECU will compensate for the higher octane and adjust re**** the timing.

This

 

[OrangeTexan]

I have done the same thing Mike. I did not get 10-11% better but I did get about 6-8% better gas milage. I ran 87 both with and without ethanol blend. At the end of the day though the cost difference made the better fuel economy a wash. I got +1 to +1.5 mpg better but I was paying at least that much more for pure gas. Octane means nothing for economy.

Exactly. If the ECU is tuned to run 87, then there will be very few instances where higher octane will make any difference, and it wont really save you any money or gain much if any in the performance department.

 

[Jeremy556]

I'd be interested in seeing your data logging mostly because 93 octane is a waste of fuel and money unless your engine is tuned for it.

I'll see if I can dig it up, or get some new data.

From my research, the engine actually is designed for 91 octane, but they list 87 so competitors can't claim a win on cheaper gas. I know, I know, citing wikipedia, but I am at work and it is convenient:

"An updated version of this engine features Dual VVT-i, increasing output to 254 hp (189 kW) and 270 lb·ft (366 N·m) on 87 octane and 285 hp (213 kW) and 289 lb·ft (392 N·m) on 91 octane."

 

[Bay33saw]

My LE is only 3 months old and I have always used 87 in it nothing more and I average 22 MPG on a 16 mile drive to work driving at a constant 65 MPH on flat ground no hills, albeit, it's blowing 50MPH today so that might change.
If I drive around town in stop and go traffic it drops to around 19 MPG.

OH I do have those skinny a** tires though.

 

[phillyd2]

I have not yet read the Owners Manual. Are you guys saying that gas needs to be added? (what? this joke killed on the oil change thread)

87

 

[rebelbowtie]

I'll see if I can dig it up, or get some new data.

From my research, the engine actually is designed for 91 octane, but they list 87 so competitors can't claim a win on cheaper gas. I know, I know, citing wikipedia, but I am at work and it is convenient:

"An updated version of this engine features Dual VVT-i, increasing output to 254 hp (189 kW) and 270 lb·ft (366 N·m) on 87 octane and 285 hp (213 kW) and 289 lb·ft (392 N·m) on 91 octane."

That sounds very good but I would still like to see data logging if anyone has them available. I eventually will do my own test but I have a hard time believing the stock tune is actually that aggressive

 

[TTown]

I have not yet read the Owners Manual. Are you guys saying that gas needs to be added? (what? this joke killed on the oil change thread)

87

I paid extra for the feature that will automatically shut my engine off when it runs out of gas!

 

[Antman]

I have not yet read the Owners Manual. Are you guys saying that gas needs to be added? (what? this joke killed on the oil change thread)

87

I only gave you a "like" because felt sorry for your ass.

Now, about this higher octane gas...

It DEFINITELY adds power! Last week I put 93 in my lawn mower and accidentally mowed down the 50' oak tree in my back yard. Just try that on 89!

Use 89- any more and your wasting your $...

 

[Jeremy556]

That sounds very good but I would still like to see data logging if anyone has them available. I eventually will do my own test but I have a hard time believing the stock tune is actually that aggressive

Unfortunately, I don’t still have all of the analysis that I did, but I do have the log files which I will lick below. I’m headed out of town tomorrow, but when I come back I will do some more specific testing and logging. In this logging, I switched from 87 to 93 octane with the low fuel light on, somewhere around the middle of the logging on the 28th.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7660835/td.zip

 

[Flava Flav]

Instead of going to the more expensive premium for more power it would be cheaper, in the long run, to install a Trail Edition hood. You'll get the same affect and it looks better too.

Haha, was already planning to do that. Either the TE conversion or audio was going to be my next project.

 

[brockeverly]

I recommend only running C16. Its a bargain at $12.50 a gallon. I heard you can make 1000awhp and get 89mpg on it.

Or was it that it would mess up your ecu, run lean, blow the motor and you'd be getting infinite MPG on your chevro-legs......

 

[rebelbowtie]

Unfortunately, I don’t still have all of the analysis that I did, but I do have the log files which I will lick below. I’m headed out of town tomorrow, but when I come back I will do some more specific testing and logging. In this logging, I switched from 87 to 93 octane with the low fuel light on, somewhere around the middle of the logging on the 28th.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/7660835/td.zip

Thanks for hosting this, I will have to check it out when I get to a computer

 

[TOPDECK]

A while back I read an article about the actual octane that premium and mid-grade gas actually tested at. They found that because less people buy premium gas, the gas on average is much older than the regular gas, and because of that, it had a lower octane than advertised, and more water and contaminates from the fuel storage tanks.

The effect was much less in more affluent neighborhoods where people buy premium gas more often.

I remember they found one gas station where some kind of leveling system actually would take 87 and put it in the premium tank and vice versa if the tanks got low.

 

[Dous]

I put 93 in mine, for the Supercharger and 7th injector.

I always wonder if the gas station is just ripping me off, they could just fill the storage tank with 87 for all I know

 

[rebelbowtie]

With forced induction you'd know

 

[Flava Flav]

Wow, thanks for all the replies guys. I know its only about 36 or so but this is a heck of a lot more than I'm used to receiving on a thread. After reading how the ECU makes adjustments no matter the Gas grade, I think for now I may run half a tank of Mid Grade and add a bottle of Octane boost just to see where it gets me.

 

[JB.]

After reading how the ECU makes adjustments no matter the Gas grade, I think for now I may run half a tank of Mid Grade and add a bottle of Octane boost just to see where it gets me.

If you really want to experiment, you might want to run at least 4-5 tanks before drawing any conclusions. See link.

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