Recommended Octane for V6? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ARCTIC · 05-15-2017, 10:34 AM

What is the GM suggested octane rating for gas in these things?? I know in snowmobiles people fall into the myth that Octane = Higher performance when in all actuality octane levels that are higher than the minimum needed to avoid knock actually become detrimental to horsepower/performance as the octane level increases. Not to mention you could be wasting money paying a premium when you're not getting any benefits. So what should we be running for fuel in these hot V6's?

Dragonman · 05-15-2017, 10:52 AM

I think it really depends on your level of use. I've been feeding mine 87 since I bought it. Admittedly, I don't drive it hard at all. No burnouts, don't think I've ever gone full WOT with it and my daily commute is only at worst a 30 minute drive without much opportunity for spirited driving. Feeding it 93, while helping to prevent knocking and a couple other fuel related issues is money wasted, for me anyway. I do plan at least a 3 month study, starting in July, with 93 to see if anything really changes with performance or gas mileage, etc. but I don't expect much out of it except increasing the rate the dollars get out of my bank account.

Pretty sure the manual states unleaded fuel no lower than 87 octane. It states to use 91 or higher for the L99 or LS3 motor. Page 9-52.

kmarshall2121 · 05-15-2017, 11:49 AM

Ive ran 87 and 91, I actually feel I get better MPG with 91.

theresak · 05-15-2017, 11:52 AM

I use 87 - but better quality like Shell or Sunoco or Phillips 66 - but mainly Shell.

1Coopgt · 05-15-2017, 12:11 PM

The Manual says 87.

DokWatson · 05-15-2017, 12:12 PM

Highest you can get in Alaska is 90 octane, that's what I use. I'm fairly certain these engines will just retard timing for anything less than 91 octane to avoid pinging and knocking. The computers are pretty smart these days.

Moncadari · 05-15-2017, 12:20 PM

Manual does say 87 but 93 is what would be better for it. Can't always listen to the manual! Manual also says to use a synthetic blend oil but that's definitely not what's best for our engines.

ChibiBlackSheep · 05-15-2017, 12:20 PM

I recommend the highest that you can purchase for these engines. Yes they have tables in there for low octane, but the amount of knock that these engines have stock is awful!

The high octane table is even pushing too much timing IMO, but the best thing you can do is run higher octane to prevent the knock from being too awful. Remember, these are very high compression engines, I would treat them like one and not like it's just a "base" engine for a Camaro.

The difference in timing between high and low octane is also pretty crazy.

Low Octane Table

High Octane Table

Dragonman · 05-15-2017, 12:55 PM

Was there supposed to be a timing table graphic in there Chibi? If so, I'm not seeing either.

ChibiBlackSheep · 05-15-2017, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragonman

Was there supposed to be a timing table graphic in there Chibi? If so, I'm not seeing either.

Yeah, it's linked to my photobucket. Is it not appearing?

These are the direct links:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d5...ps10a266f6.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d5...ps1ff20f6c.jpg

DvKillar · 05-15-2017, 01:18 PM

So how does the ECU know there is low or high octane?

SDTWDirect · 05-15-2017, 01:34 PM

Great discussion! Normally, the ECU will begin to interpolate between high and low maps based on conditions i.e. detonation picked up. Under extreme situations, it will eventually reference the low map in full. Over time, it will gradually interpolate back toward the high map or once the motor has been shut down and restarted.

(Basing my experience/two cents from tuning other cars)

-AL of SDTW Direct

ChibiBlackSheep · 05-15-2017, 01:47 PM

x2, it should try to run on the high octane table, and if it knocks too much in various cells, it will drop back down to the low octane table.

Disconnecting the battery for 30+ minutes, SHOULD reset the fuel trims so that it starts to try to learn from the high octane table again, or else it will slowly start to pull from that table again after you drive without knock for a while.

DvKillar · 05-15-2017, 01:55 PM

took a long ride this weekend with new CAI and full belly of 93. no knocks and ran like a scolded cat!
I had to disconnect battery during CAI installation so the fresh tank would have been mapped for the 93, correct?
It was truly like a whole new engine with just those two things!

05-15-2017, 10:34 AM	#1
ARCTIC Drives: 2017 1SS convertible Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: IOWA Posts: 185	Recommended Octane for V6? What is the GM suggested octane rating for gas in these things?? I know in snowmobiles people fall into the myth that Octane = Higher performance when in all actuality octane levels that are higher than the minimum needed to avoid knock actually become detrimental to horsepower/performance as the octane level increases. Not to mention you could be wasting money paying a premium when you're not getting any benefits. So what should we be running for fuel in these hot V6's? __________________ Red 2017 Camaro 1SS Convertible

05-15-2017, 10:52 AM	#2
Dragonman Drives: 2015 1LT OBE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: KY Posts: 509 View My Garage	I think it really depends on your level of use. I've been feeding mine 87 since I bought it. Admittedly, I don't drive it hard at all. No burnouts, don't think I've ever gone full WOT with it and my daily commute is only at worst a 30 minute drive without much opportunity for spirited driving. Feeding it 93, while helping to prevent knocking and a couple other fuel related issues is money wasted, for me anyway. I do plan at least a 3 month study, starting in July, with 93 to see if anything really changes with performance or gas mileage, etc. but I don't expect much out of it except increasing the rate the dollars get out of my bank account. Pretty sure the manual states unleaded fuel no lower than 87 octane. It states to use 91 or higher for the L99 or LS3 motor. Page 9-52. __________________ _______-2015 1LT JUSTICE----------------------------------1997 B12-___________

05-15-2017, 11:52 AM	#4
theresak Drives: 1968 Camaro, 2015 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 16 View My Garage	I use 87 - but better quality like Shell or Sunoco or Phillips 66 - but mainly Shell. __________________ 2015 Camaro LS w/2LS - Red Hot - Mfg July 29, 2014 1968 Camaro - still in the family

05-15-2017, 12:11 PM	#5
1Coopgt Drives: All Black 2012 1LS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Rochester,NY Posts: 2,042 View My Garage	The Manual says 87. __________________ Mods, K&N CAI ,VTC , GM Perf Axleback Exhaust, Elite Eng CC and CSS, GM Strut Tower Brace,Carbon Fiber Anvil Spoiler,ASC T5 Splitter,Gen5diy Foglight kit.

05-15-2017, 12:12 PM	#6
DokWatson Dok Drives: 2015 Camaro 1LS M6 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Alaska Posts: 188	Highest you can get in Alaska is 90 octane, that's what I use. I'm fairly certain these engines will just retard timing for anything less than 91 octane to avoid pinging and knocking. The computers are pretty smart these days. __________________ Hoonigan/Technician Check out my channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/AK49Watson

05-15-2017, 11:49 AM	#3
kmarshall2121 Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary Edition Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,618 View My Garage	Ive ran 87 and 91, I actually feel I get better MPG with 91.

05-15-2017, 12:20 PM	#7
Moncadari Drives: 2014 Camaro LT Conv. Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Gainesville/Miami Posts: 18	Manual does say 87 but 93 is what would be better for it. Can't always listen to the manual! Manual also says to use a synthetic blend oil but that's definitely not what's best for our engines.

05-15-2017, 12:20 PM	#8
ChibiBlackSheep Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 2,088	I recommend the highest that you can purchase for these engines. Yes they have tables in there for low octane, but the amount of knock that these engines have stock is awful! The high octane table is even pushing too much timing IMO, but the best thing you can do is run higher octane to prevent the knock from being too awful. Remember, these are very high compression engines, I would treat them like one and not like it's just a "base" engine for a Camaro. The difference in timing between high and low octane is also pretty crazy. Low Octane Table High Octane Table __________________ LS3 Crate Engine Swap \| CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 \| Stainless Power LT Headers \| Z28 Intake \| Borla S-Type Exhaust \| FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 1968 Camaro SS \| 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury \| 2021 Spark LS

05-15-2017, 12:55 PM	#9
Dragonman Drives: 2015 1LT OBE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: KY Posts: 509 View My Garage	Was there supposed to be a timing table graphic in there Chibi? If so, I'm not seeing either. __________________ _______-2015 1LT JUSTICE----------------------------------1997 B12-___________

05-15-2017, 01:18 PM	#11
DvKillar Drives: 2015 Chevy Camaro 2LS Join Date: May 2017 Location: MWC, OK Posts: 815	So how does the ECU know there is low or high octane?

05-15-2017, 01:34 PM	#12
SDTWDirect Drives: Highly Modified Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 133	Great discussion! Normally, the ECU will begin to interpolate between high and low maps based on conditions i.e. detonation picked up. Under extreme situations, it will eventually reference the low map in full. Over time, it will gradually interpolate back toward the high map or once the motor has been shut down and restarted. (Basing my experience/two cents from tuning other cars) -AL of SDTW Direct

05-15-2017, 01:47 PM	#13
ChibiBlackSheep Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeast, PA Posts: 2,088	x2, it should try to run on the high octane table, and if it knocks too much in various cells, it will drop back down to the low octane table. Disconnecting the battery for 30+ minutes, SHOULD reset the fuel trims so that it starts to try to learn from the high octane table again, or else it will slowly start to pull from that table again after you drive without knock for a while. __________________ LS3 Crate Engine Swap \| CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 \| Stainless Power LT Headers \| Z28 Intake \| Borla S-Type Exhaust \| FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS \| 1968 Camaro SS \| 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury \| 2021 Spark LS

05-15-2017, 01:55 PM	#14
DvKillar Drives: 2015 Chevy Camaro 2LS Join Date: May 2017 Location: MWC, OK Posts: 815	took a long ride this weekend with new CAI and full belly of 93. no knocks and ran like a scolded cat! I had to disconnect battery during CAI installation so the fresh tank would have been mapped for the 93, correct? It was truly like a whole new engine with just those two things!