SS as a Daily Driver??? - Page 8 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

smike07 · 08-26-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA FAST

Is that still true for modern engines that "Recommend" Premium? I thought the computer can detect the octane you're running and adjust to handle a lower octane without damaging the engine.

Just because the computer can detect it doesn't mean the computer will suddenly change the composition of the materials that make up the engine components, which are bonded together molecularly, and protect them from unnecessary wear and tear. It's a Chevy, not the Millennium Falcon! :fighting0040:

Speedy1975 · 08-26-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA FAST

Is that still true for modern engines that "Recommend" Premium? I thought the computer can detect the octane you're running and adjust to handle a lower octane without damaging the engine.

I've heard this "claim" but I"ll believe it when I see it. Compression is compression and higher compression requires higher octane to avoid detonation.

The computers may be able to sense the ping with knock sensors and retard timing to compensate, but there will have to be some limit to this effect. My 2002 4Runner has this capability, however when I supercharged it it pinged like crazy until I added a piggy back computer to manually pull timing out in the areas the computer couldn't correct.

PA FAST · 08-27-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smike07

Just because the computer can detect it doesn't mean the computer will suddenly change the composition of the materials that make up the engine components, which are bonded together molecularly, and protect them from unnecessary wear and tear. It's a Chevy, not the Millennium Falcon! :fighting0040:

I didn't think it had anything to do with the materials the engine is made of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

I've heard this "claim" but I"ll believe it when I see it. Compression is compression and higher compression requires higher octane to avoid detonation.

The computers may be able to sense the ping with knock sensors and retard timing to compensate, but there will have to be some limit to this effect. My 2002 4Runner has this capability, however when I supercharged it it pinged like crazy until I added a piggy back computer to manually pull timing out in the areas the computer couldn't correct.

So isn't that only an issue if you mod the engine with a supercharger? The SS V8 doesn't have one. You have more knowledge than me, think you can educate me.

Vash · 08-27-2008, 07:09 PM

After I switched from Mobil 1 to Royal Purple 10-30 in my LT1 my mileage went from 25 to 27 on hwy.

Also good point about that salt. That's the death of old cars. Rust. I am obsessed with it. I have a secret weapon though, Hammerite Rust Cap paint, it's got glass particles and some serious sticky in it. So SS owners and everyone else. When you get the car put it on jackstands and give the underbody a coat of Hammerite or POR 15. It will make the car last a lot longer.

fldrummer · 08-27-2008, 08:09 PM

My manual SS/RS will be a daily driver for me. 'Been driving manuals daily for the past 4 years and I'm not tired of it yet. Plus, a 3.5-mile commute makes it bearable and there's no snow and road salt to worry about down here, just a little sea salt, perhaps.

65bus · 08-27-2008, 08:26 PM

oh YA!!!!!!!

Speedy1975 · 08-27-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PA FAST

I didn't think it had anything to do with the materials the engine is made of.

So isn't that only an issue if you mod the engine with a supercharger? The SS V8 doesn't have one. You have more knowledge than me, think you can educate me.

The only car I can compare this to is the Honda Civic Si. I've read it "can" run on regular, but the manual recommends premium. Most who've tried running regular speak of negative expriences and don't recommend it at all.

We'll have to wait and see how much leeway the SS has in it's ECU programming to know for sure. Using a scan tool will be the only way to tell.

You see, my 4Runner was designed to run on regular. I added boost, which requires premium. Just because a V8 Camaro says premium is "recommended' doesn't mean it can run on regular without issue.

Doug 97SS · 08-28-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanSS24

If the SS gets approved for patrol use I am deffinitely going to trade in my R/T for a RS/SS Imperial Blue.

Man do you guys STILL drive your own cars as Patrol Cars? I will never forget getting run down by a black Grand National on H2.

PA FAST · 08-28-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

The only car I can compare this to is the Honda Civic Si. I've read it "can" run on regular, but the manual recommends premium. Most who've tried running regular speak of negative expriences and don't recommend it at all.

We'll have to wait and see how much leeway the SS has in it's ECU programming to know for sure. Using a scan tool will be the only way to tell.

You see, my 4Runner was designed to run on regular. I added boost, which requires premium. Just because a V8 Camaro says premium is "recommended' doesn't mean it can run on regular without issue.

I will take your word for it, I am far from an expert. I just assumed if automakers were confident their engines can handle regular even though premium was recommended owners would not run across any problems. It seems like a liability for me.

Dan · 08-28-2008, 01:48 PM

Computers cannot detect octane. The computer expects a given fuel type. When it doesn't get it but it thinks that what it has then the motor reacts differently and the computer has to counter. In a car that requires (an yes it does require it) premium and you cheap out and put regular in it, the motor will be far more likely to knock. When the computer detects the knock it will retard the snot out of the timing which will steal your power and mileage. If you aren't going to run the fuel required then you should have the computer tuned for the octane you want but it will still not make as much power.

Black5thgen · 08-28-2008, 02:05 PM

I will DD my SS for a year or so and I think the gas mileage won't be that different from the V6. As long as I can keep the revs down and my foot out of it I'm 100% sure I will be getting better mileage than my current F-150. I will be moving closer to work before I get my SS and I'm confident with all the cold weather testing that was done on this car that it will handle snow pretty good. It will be light years ahead of the 3rd and 4th gen and I have driven them in the snow.
As for gas, no matter how much gas goes up there is still only a 20 cent difference between 87 and 93. If you use 20 gallons a week you're only spending 4 more dollars. I'm sure the better mileage will make up for that 4 dollars. If not I'll go out for lunch one less time a week.

2011ssgradprsnt · 09-20-2008, 12:43 PM

cuz I live in OHIO and we have something here called winter and snow I will be driving mine approx 7-8 months o/o year and the others will be my GMT900

ucla1ove3 · 09-20-2008, 01:13 PM

hello and welcome ssgrad.

13F20 · 09-20-2008, 02:39 PM

DD. No way in hell. 1-2 day per week max. I will be driving a Yukon Denali as my DD.

Plus I will be changing the suspension, shocks and springs. Brake package swap out and engine upgrade to 550hp and 600 lbs on 7lbs boost max.

View Poll Results: will your camaro ss be a daily driver?
yes	472	67.24%
no	182	25.93%
maybe	48	6.84%
Voters: 702. You may not vote on this poll

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08-27-2008, 07:09 PM	#102
Vash Drives: 00 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,100	After I switched from Mobil 1 to Royal Purple 10-30 in my LT1 my mileage went from 25 to 27 on hwy. Also good point about that salt. That's the death of old cars. Rust. I am obsessed with it. I have a secret weapon though, Hammerite Rust Cap paint, it's got glass particles and some serious sticky in it. So SS owners and everyone else. When you get the car put it on jackstands and give the underbody a coat of Hammerite or POR 15. It will make the car last a lot longer.

08-27-2008, 08:09 PM	#103
fldrummer "Black Ace" Drives: Supercharged 2010 SS, 2016 Golf R Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,350	My manual SS/RS will be a daily driver for me. 'Been driving manuals daily for the past 4 years and I'm not tired of it yet. Plus, a 3.5-mile commute makes it bearable and there's no snow and road salt to worry about down here, just a little sea salt, perhaps.

08-27-2008, 08:26 PM	#104
65bus Drives: 92 Z28, 72 Chevy truck, 65 VW Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lenoir, NC Posts: 121	oh YA!!!!!!!

08-28-2008, 01:48 PM	#108
Dan Drives: 2004 GTO Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 448	Computers cannot detect octane. The computer expects a given fuel type. When it doesn't get it but it thinks that what it has then the motor reacts differently and the computer has to counter. In a car that requires (an yes it does require it) premium and you cheap out and put regular in it, the motor will be far more likely to knock. When the computer detects the knock it will retard the snot out of the timing which will steal your power and mileage. If you aren't going to run the fuel required then you should have the computer tuned for the octane you want but it will still not make as much power.

08-28-2008, 02:05 PM	#109
Black5thgen Account Suspended Drives: 2007 C6 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 2,251 View My Garage	I will DD my SS for a year or so and I think the gas mileage won't be that different from the V6. As long as I can keep the revs down and my foot out of it I'm 100% sure I will be getting better mileage than my current F-150. I will be moving closer to work before I get my SS and I'm confident with all the cold weather testing that was done on this car that it will handle snow pretty good. It will be light years ahead of the 3rd and 4th gen and I have driven them in the snow. As for gas, no matter how much gas goes up there is still only a 20 cent difference between 87 and 93. If you use 20 gallons a week you're only spending 4 more dollars. I'm sure the better mileage will make up for that 4 dollars. If not I'll go out for lunch one less time a week.

09-20-2008, 12:43 PM	#110
2011ssgradprsnt Drives: 95 pont ga v6 sdn/2011 ss vert Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SW OHIO Posts: 19	cuz I live in OHIO and we have something here called winter and snow I will be driving mine approx 7-8 months o/o year and the others will be my GMT900

09-20-2008, 01:13 PM	#111
ucla1ove3 Drives: soon to be 2010 CAMARO :] Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: houston, tx Posts: 1,283	hello and welcome ssgrad.

09-20-2008, 02:39 PM	#112
13F20 Drives: Soon to be 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: GA, soon to be KS. Posts: 664	DD. No way in hell. 1-2 day per week max. I will be driving a Yukon Denali as my DD. Plus I will be changing the suspension, shocks and springs. Brake package swap out and engine upgrade to 550hp and 600 lbs on 7lbs boost max.