V6 on 87 octane - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jrisebo · 05-20-2013, 06:43 AM

This weekend I did a 500 mile round trip drive. Decided to try 87 octane (it was 40 cents cheaper at the station I was at). Well, After pretty much always using 93 octane, I can honestly say that using 87 octane DOES effect the perfomance of my car. It just seemed to run a bit rough, and certainly lacked a bit of pep when passing on highway speeds. Perhaps its a placebo effect since its my car, but im going back to 93 octane.

PoorMansCamaro · 05-20-2013, 06:46 AM

it's a known fact that running 87 on the 5th gen v6 Camaro makes the car pull timing. If you can feel it, is another matter, but it does affect performance.

jd10013 · 05-20-2013, 07:33 AM

I always put 93 in mine. usually fill up between 3/4 and 1/2 tank, so the extra 2-4 bucks a week isn't that big a deal to me.

Mvp_Me · 05-20-2013, 07:48 AM

I always use 91, would it be that much of a difference with this motor if I used 93? I always used 93 on my turbo car but this car I didn't think it mattered that much. If you guys see better mpg and performance then ill have to open my wallet a little wider I guess.

jrisebo · 05-20-2013, 08:06 AM

Not sure about the MPG, just seems to run a bit smoother. That was my test, always going to use 93 now.

SC2150 · 05-20-2013, 08:10 AM

MPG overall should be better w/93 as well since the ECU is allowing the engine to run at optimine timing advance.

These engines are 11.3:1 compression ratio and even though marketing emphasizes 87 and cheap oil is reccomended, it is definately NOT best for the engine.

Jonster · 05-20-2013, 08:16 AM

I was under the impression that the higher octanes only make a difference if you are really driving the car hard. (and also helps lengthen engine lifespan)

edit: Obviously putting 91 in SS/ZL1 minimum and 87 in LS/LT minimum

There are also many other factors when fueling up like brand and region. There are some articles on Shell V-power vs BP ultimate, but gas is different based upon region as well.

(Not sure if this helps, just spitting out some knowledge)

Mvp_Me · 05-20-2013, 08:16 AM

Ok good info, I always want to do what I can to keep my car running healthy. Ill run the tank down to E and fill her up with good ole 93.

Mvp_Me · 05-20-2013, 08:19 AM

Also what about the people that can only get 91? Mid grade couldn't be that bad.

Jonster · 05-20-2013, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mvp_Me

Also what about the people that can only get 91? Mid grade couldn't be that bad.

It depends. Some articles proved that some high tier 91 brands are just as good as low tier 93 brands.

SPARTAN sui · 05-20-2013, 08:34 AM

I actually might switch over to premium grade because it's always seems to be $0.10 cheaper than regular. Which isn't saying much when it's $4.40 versus $4.50 :(

Blue Demon · 05-20-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPARTAN sui

I actually might switch over to premium grade because it's always seems to be $0.10 cheaper than regular. Which isn't saying much when it's $4.40 versus $4.50 :(

Premium cheaper than regular? Sounds fishy.

911medic · 05-20-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPARTAN sui

I actually might switch over to premium grade because it's always seems to be $0.10 cheaper than regular. Which isn't saying much when it's $4.40 versus $4.50 :(

Premium is cheaper than regular where you live?

SPARTAN sui · 05-20-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911medic

Premium is cheaper than regular where you live?

Eh, it might be 89 only, which is "premium" for my small town. I'd have to look. But it's been that way for the past few years at least. Off and on, but typically is cheaper than regular 87.

This map is off a bit, we're definitely in the dark red category.

http://gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...igher/2166845/

05-20-2013, 06:43 AM	#1
jrisebo Drives: 2011 Camaro RS "Bumble C" Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dayton Posts: 565	V6 on 87 octane This weekend I did a 500 mile round trip drive. Decided to try 87 octane (it was 40 cents cheaper at the station I was at). Well, After pretty much always using 93 octane, I can honestly say that using 87 octane DOES effect the perfomance of my car. It just seemed to run a bit rough, and certainly lacked a bit of pep when passing on highway speeds. Perhaps its a placebo effect since its my car, but im going back to 93 octane. __________________

05-20-2013, 06:46 AM	#2
PoorMansCamaro Drives: Really Slow Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: PA Posts: 56,957	it's a known fact that running 87 on the 5th gen v6 Camaro makes the car pull timing. If you can feel it, is another matter, but it does affect performance. __________________

05-20-2013, 07:48 AM	#4
Mvp_Me I Use Three Pedals Drives: 2011 VR M6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 793	I always use 91, would it be that much of a difference with this motor if I used 93? I always used 93 on my turbo car but this car I didn't think it mattered that much. If you guys see better mpg and performance then ill have to open my wallet a little wider I guess. __________________

05-20-2013, 08:06 AM	#5
jrisebo Drives: 2011 Camaro RS "Bumble C" Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dayton Posts: 565	Not sure about the MPG, just seems to run a bit smoother. That was my test, always going to use 93 now. __________________

05-20-2013, 08:16 AM	#7
Jonster Drives: 18 2SS Vert Hotwheels Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Maiden, NC Posts: 588 View My Garage	I was under the impression that the higher octanes only make a difference if you are really driving the car hard. (and also helps lengthen engine lifespan) edit: Obviously putting 91 in SS/ZL1 minimum and 87 in LS/LT minimum There are also many other factors when fueling up like brand and region. There are some articles on Shell V-power vs BP ultimate, but gas is different based upon region as well. (Not sure if this helps, just spitting out some knowledge) __________________ 2018 2SS hot wheels convertible

05-20-2013, 07:33 AM	#3
jd10013 Drives: 2012 camaro Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: central VA Posts: 3,196	I always put 93 in mine. usually fill up between 3/4 and 1/2 tank, so the extra 2-4 bucks a week isn't that big a deal to me.

05-20-2013, 08:10 AM	#6
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	MPG overall should be better w/93 as well since the ECU is allowing the engine to run at optimine timing advance. These engines are 11.3:1 compression ratio and even though marketing emphasizes 87 and cheap oil is reccomended, it is definately NOT best for the engine.

05-20-2013, 08:19 AM	#9
Mvp_Me I Use Three Pedals Drives: 2011 VR M6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 793	Also what about the people that can only get 91? Mid grade couldn't be that bad. __________________

05-20-2013, 08:34 AM	#11
SPARTAN sui PC Technician Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: North Dakota Posts: 2,161	I actually might switch over to premium grade because it's always seems to be $0.10 cheaper than regular. Which isn't saying much when it's $4.40 versus $4.50 :( __________________