Which Grade of Gasoline??

[1st vette]

Do I need to run 93 octane fuel in my 1980?? The owners manual only calls for 87.

 

[LT4man]

I would only run what the owner's manual suggests. The engine is a low compression engine that runs on unleaded fuel. There is no reason to run 93 octane. You would be just wasting your money. The use of the higher octane fuel would do your engine a disservice.

Save The Wave!

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

It won't do any harm, but won't have any benefits either.

 

[Pa Goose]

If you are running in the summer months I would use the higher octane to prevent spark knock and 87 the other 9 months

 

[JohnZ]

If you are running in the summer months I would use the higher octane to prevent spark knock and 87 the other 9 months

Why? The engine always runs at the same temperature regardless of the season (that's what the thermostat does), and his engine was designed to run on regular; putting premium in it is a waste of money.

 

[lnirenberg]

If you are running in the summer months I would use the higher octane to prevent spark knock and 87 the other 9 months

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by spark knock or why the octane requirement would change. As to "the other 9 months" that's what we call winter in the northern regions, this being only a mild exageration as we just got some snow flurries tonight.

 

[Dave L.]

I agree with John Z. I run 87 all the time in my 'stock' 81. Car runs absolutely fine.

 

[craig32]

You got that right Inirenberg, our four seasons are: Almost winter, Winter, Still winter, and CONSTRUCTION!!!

 

[ruby76]

you can even run the lower stuff in cars that "require" higher octane as long as you don't get knocking from pre-detonation etc. But if it starts to knock or detonate then go up a grade till it stops. But to answer your question, stick with the low stuff and spend your extra money on something else. Or you could send it to my address.

 

[HammerDown]

ANYTHING other than Amaco/BP 93 octane in my 81 and it gets .......the pings.:crazy

 

[81kix]

I use 93 octane in mine, not sure if I want to try anything lower.
So, I will waste a little money and play it safe, don't want the pings.

 

[snk1994]

I have never put anything in mine except the supream grade. My theroy is that higher grade = higher performance. Also I dont think it is a waste of money because I get better gas milage out of the higher octane fuel. So yeah I spend more money at the pump but dont have to go back as often. 6 in one hand 1/2 doz in the other..

Now the question is...Empty tank to store the car during the winter months or full? Mine has always been full with a fuel stabolizer (stabol) for storage.

 

[waterboy1976]

93+ OCTANE OR HIGHER.......course that's cause of my 10.32/1 compression

 

[JohnZ]

Now the question is...Empty tank to store the car during the winter months or full? Mine has always been full with a fuel stabolizer (stabol) for storage.

Always store with the tank full - leaves less air space for condensation to form and attack the inside of the tank; fuel stabilizer isn't necessary for winter storage.

 

[HammerDown]

Being my cars a low compression engine and only about some 200HP the only thing I can think of that's causing the dreaded ping is maybe some carbon hot spots in the combustion chamber. The ping can be a real issue in the summer months when I put the AC on. Just that little extra load on the engine really brings on the ping:ugh

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Have you checked your timing recently?

I have a 77 with the distributor advanced to put in 36 degrees at 3,200 rpm and it never pings on regular.

 

[HammerDown]

Have you checked your timing recently?

I have a 77 with the distributor advanced to put in 36 degrees at 3,200 rpm and it never pings on regular.

Timing's on, it's also controlled pretty much by the computer :eyerole

 

[ruby76]

Being my cars a low compression engine and only about some 200HP the only thing I can think of that's causing the dreaded ping is maybe some carbon hot spots in the combustion chamber. The ping can be a real issue in the summer months when I put the AC on. Just that little extra load on the engine really brings on the ping:ugh

Double check your timing, it could be the culprit of your ping under acceleration.

 

[HammerDown]

Double check your timing, it could be the culprit of your ping under acceleration.

Went ahead and warmed the engine, unplugged the distributir/computer multi plug...and put a light on it. Base timing at idle was 8 degrees. So I backed it even further down to 5 degrees, still a slight ping with the AC on under load.
With premium grade gas.