LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

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Old 09-01-2005, 02:35 PM
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Question LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

When I first purchased my car I ran 87 which basically made it run like crap. I then switched to 93 and now with the HPP+ program installed running 93 is a must (do not turn this into a HPP+ bashing thread). Due to continue **** rape of gas prices I'm considering removing the program and switching to 89 octane fuel, will their be a problem with running this level of fuel? I know most people (including me) like treating their F-Bodys to the best of everything but my wallet is getting kind of thin here. If worst comes to worst I could always run a little octane booster and pick up like half a point lol.
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Old 09-01-2005, 02:46 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

i usually fill up using the 2:1 method..... 2 tanks full of 93 and 1 tank 89 and consistantly like this too.... 3:1 is good but 2:1 is suffice to blend for my LT1 ... The owners manual says 91 or 92 so keep in that range

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Old 09-01-2005, 02:47 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

This question has been beaten to death in many past threads. If you are that worried about gas prices, then yes, remove the HPP programming and try the 89. Some people run it and get away with it. Some people run 87 octane and claim they have no problems either. Give it a shot, if it starts pinging or showing unusual symptoms, then I guess you know to use the better gas.
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Old 09-01-2005, 03:33 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

I've been alright with using 89(my 96). been using it for a few months now..and i havent noticed any adverse effects. i havent been driving it hard though. Still gettin around 26 mpg.
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Old 09-01-2005, 04:19 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

Is it really that much of a difference in price? It's only a couple bucks. I've been paying $2.80 and up for months now. It's $3.20 now, but 89 is still $3.10. I just don't see a reason not too get premium. If it was a 30 cents/gallon difference then maybe.
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Old 09-01-2005, 04:40 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

Originally Posted by MarineReconZ28
Is it really that much of a difference in price? It's only a couple bucks. I've been paying $2.80 and up for months now. It's $3.20 now, but 89 is still $3.10. I just don't see a reason not too get premium. If it was a 30 cents/gallon difference then maybe.
Exactly.
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Old 09-01-2005, 04:42 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

6 month ago where i live it was 1.60$ a gallon for premium.. now it is 3.40 for premium...(93 oct) so a $2 a gallon increase is a bit per gallon in just 6 months.. that translates into quite a bit per tankfull difference... even though some places were at 1.80 a gal for premium in the state it is still over 1.40$ differnce....
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Old 09-01-2005, 04:44 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

around here the premium is .40 more than the regular
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Old 09-01-2005, 05:52 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

$3.96 FOR PREMIUM IN CICERO, IL NEAR CHICAGO!
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Old 09-01-2005, 05:54 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

If you removed the HPP programming you should be alright on 87. The previous owner of my car ran it on 87 while he owned it and said he never had problems. You just won't make as much power because the engine will retard the timing to prevent detonation.
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Old 09-01-2005, 05:56 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

Originally Posted by Cerwin Vega Fan
If worst comes to worst I could always run a little octane booster and pick up like half a point lol.
Depending upon where you go to get gas jumping from regular to premium is only about $.1-.20. If you were to fill up your tank when it was completely empty it would be at most about 13-14 gallons or at least thats the lowest i've ever gone. So that would be about $1.30-$2.80, extra per fill up. Most octane boosters cost that much and won't even boost your octane level a full point.
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Old 09-01-2005, 06:03 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

I don't mean to steal the thread or anything but what kind of gas mileage do you guys get? I get 12/13 around town and about 18 on the highway.
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Old 09-01-2005, 06:07 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

Originally Posted by JAG05
I don't mean to steal the thread or anything but what kind of gas mileage do you guys get? I get 12/13 around town and about 18 on the highway.
I use to get 15ish in town and i could rip off about 24-25 if i did a lot of highway driving. I could of probably gotten even better than that on the highway but i ended up finishing the tank off with some city driving. All of that was with my old 3.90 rear end. I now have a 3.42 again so i'm sure i can get even better again. I also have heads, cam and the usual bolt ons.
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Old 09-01-2005, 06:08 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

A stock factory car should not be pulling timing on 87 octane. Its possible, but shouldnt be happening.
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Old 09-01-2005, 06:21 PM
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Re: LT1's happy with 89 octane gas?

my car gets 18mpg avg around town and 20-22 hwy/interstate but yesterday with the ects screwed up i got a MAX of 10mpg.. that was very fun... ';..;' ah well back to the thread i use to run 89 all the time before i got my pcm tuned and trans built and all that other good stuff.. now its 93 all the time.
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