Regular vs Premium - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

shockandawe · 03-30-2009, 10:33 PM

It's been said the SS V-8's will run fine on regular. What performance decrease will there be when using regular vs premium and if used regularly will regular harm the engine. Does anybody know?

SIK07GTSTANG · 03-30-2009, 10:35 PM

The only time you'd need to run premium is if you change the tune to a 93 octane b/c of an induction change. If you're running the factory tune then paying for the more expensive gas is a waste. Essentially, regular gas will do fine.

My new Camaro · 03-30-2009, 10:39 PM

the thing with reg. unlead is that the octane rating has to be atleast 87 but it can be as high as 93. and often is. i ran regular in several cars i have had that called for premium

SummoneR · 03-30-2009, 10:40 PM

This was asked in a previous thread.

But! The cost difference really is not that big... at most 25 cents more a gallon. Let's asume a 18 gallon tank, (just a guess, my FJ is 16.# something) $4.50 a tank.

Unless you fill up every other day, it's worth the extra expense. If you're getting a SS I would get the higher octane.

kopacko · 03-30-2009, 10:42 PM

Higher octane = higher burn = more HP

fever_08 · 03-30-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopacko

Higher octane = higher burn = more HP

pardon????

The function of a higher octane gasoline is to delay the flame propogation or 'burn' to prevent detonation. I'm not sure about the L99, but the LS3 will have a 92+ octane recommendation.....just like the corvette. Sure, there will be no problem running a lower octane gas......any detonation, or ping will be picked up by the knock sensors and the computer will dial back the ignition timing....but you will definitely not get all of those 420+ horses!!

So, performance affected with regular gas, definitely, engine longevity affected with regular gas, definitely not......

CWI · 03-30-2009, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIK07GTSTANG

The only time you'd need to run premium is if you change the tune to a 93 octane b/c of an induction change. If you're running the factory tune then paying for the more expensive gas is a waste. Essentially, regular gas will do fine.

CWI · 03-30-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopacko

Higher octane = higher burn = more HP

WTF? Research. Higher octane = slower burn

kopacko · 03-30-2009, 10:58 PM

Sorry, meant higher energy to burn...not higher burn

too fast for my own typing.

CWI · 03-30-2009, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kopacko

Sorry, meant higher energy to burn...not higher burn

too fast for my own typing.

Sorry for the flame. This has been talked about here at great length, some with knowledge and some without. Search, you will find. Some are even funny.

Vash · 03-30-2009, 11:05 PM

Yea eventually might need a 5th gen specific Octane guide. Basically use unleaded in the V6 and Super in the SS.

cam2fst4u · 03-30-2009, 11:10 PM

why not use reg and a bottle of octane boost? I run 87 in my Trailblazer SS it calls for premium but runs fine on the 87. I can definately tell a difference if I run the 93 in performance (and maybe mileage) but I can't tell for sure because my wife drives it too and she always seems to burn gas faster than I do and she says I drive fast...lol

cyberbro · 03-30-2009, 11:28 PM

You ever notice the scam at the pumps were the 93 is like 60 cents a gallon more then the regular because they know most people look at the lowest price on the sign (also always on the top of the sign) as they pull in. You know it's a scam because then you see the guy down the block foe 12 cents more, but everyone starts the regular price very close to each other!

VTXrider · 03-30-2009, 11:31 PM

In the LS1 running lower octane is fine for the engine but the computer retards the timing, so you lose power. No engine damage though. I just can't bring myself to save $3.00 per tank when I know it will cost me performance. I usually drive pretty calm but I do get on it at least a few times per tank.

03-30-2009, 10:33 PM	#1
shockandawe Drives: 2014 Z51 Corvette Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,349	Regular vs Premium It's been said the SS V-8's will run fine on regular. What performance decrease will there be when using regular vs premium and if used regularly will regular harm the engine. Does anybody know?

03-30-2009, 10:40 PM	#4
SummoneR Paul Drives: '10 2SS/RS M6 "Marauder" Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NOR*CAL Posts: 6,257	This was asked in a previous thread. But! The cost difference really is not that big... at most 25 cents more a gallon. Let's asume a 18 gallon tank, (just a guess, my FJ is 16.# something) $4.50 a tank. Unless you fill up every other day, it's worth the extra expense. If you're getting a SS I would get the higher octane. __________________

03-30-2009, 11:28 PM	#13
cyberbro Drives: Not a Camaro at this time Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 1,056	You ever notice the scam at the pumps were the 93 is like 60 cents a gallon more then the regular because they know most people look at the lowest price on the sign (also always on the top of the sign) as they pull in. You know it's a scam because then you see the guy down the block foe 12 cents more, but everyone starts the regular price very close to each other! __________________ Order Status: 2000 8/27/15 3000 9/3/15 2000 9/22/15 (Order changed) 2016 2SS With Auto, NPP, MRC, Nav, Split 5 Spoke Bright Aluminum.

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03-30-2009, 10:35 PM	#2
SIK07GTSTANG Team Fordpower Drives: 2007 Mustang GT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Purcellville, VA Posts: 344 View My Garage	The only time you'd need to run premium is if you change the tune to a 93 octane b/c of an induction change. If you're running the factory tune then paying for the more expensive gas is a waste. Essentially, regular gas will do fine.

03-30-2009, 10:39 PM	#3
My new Camaro Drives: 2500 hd Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: AR Posts: 297	the thing with reg. unlead is that the octane rating has to be atleast 87 but it can be as high as 93. and often is. i ran regular in several cars i have had that called for premium

03-30-2009, 10:42 PM	#5
kopacko 333RWHP / 12.2sec @ 1320' Drives: 2004 Competition Orange Mach1 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 108 View My Garage	Higher octane = higher burn = more HP

03-30-2009, 10:58 PM	#9
kopacko 333RWHP / 12.2sec @ 1320' Drives: 2004 Competition Orange Mach1 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 108 View My Garage	Sorry, meant higher energy to burn...not higher burn too fast for my own typing.

03-30-2009, 11:05 PM	#11
Vash Drives: 00 Blazer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 5,104	Yea eventually might need a 5th gen specific Octane guide. Basically use unleaded in the V6 and Super in the SS.

03-30-2009, 11:10 PM	#12
cam2fst4u Drives: 08 SS trailblazer,08 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: stanley va Posts: 6,268 View My Garage	why not use reg and a bottle of octane boost? I run 87 in my Trailblazer SS it calls for premium but runs fine on the 87. I can definately tell a difference if I run the 93 in performance (and maybe mileage) but I can't tell for sure because my wife drives it too and she always seems to burn gas faster than I do and she says I drive fast...lol

03-30-2009, 11:31 PM	#14
VTXrider Drives: 2010 RY 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 817	In the LS1 running lower octane is fine for the engine but the computer retards the timing, so you lose power. No engine damage though. I just can't bring myself to save $3.00 per tank when I know it will cost me performance. I usually drive pretty calm but I do get on it at least a few times per tank.