[Ecchi667]

Anybody got knowledge of octane boosters? For instance, if one were to use 87 but then add a booster which puts it at 93 (ish), could that work out cheaper than just getting 93? And would it even be worth the extra hassle? I'm from the UK originally and our standard fuel over there is 95 octane (and no ethanol), with super being 97. I used to put 99 octane in my s13 (they're turbocharged from the factory with a Garrett T25 on a CA18DET in the UK, which is fine at 95 octane but once you start tuning you need to switch to super - mine was running a T28 at 20psi). I've only ever put 93 octane in my Camaro SS, as in SC we get 87, 89, and 93 - not the recommended 91. My 2015 Charger R/T used to run just as well on 87 octane as it did on 93, but 93 got an extra 3mpg.

BTW, don't feel bad that we don't get such high octanes over here in the USA. When I was buying fuel in the UK it was probably working out to about $12 a gallon (it's gotten cheaper since I left, but is still at least $6 a gallon). Driving in the USA is beautifully cheap.

[Slem]

Lmao.... if you own a Camaro SS LT1 , you need to run premium! Performance cars with higher compression need it to operate safely and correctly.

[Zeke.Malvo]

Originally Posted by Ecchi667

Anybody got knowledge of octane boosters? For instance, if one were to use 87 but then add a booster which puts it at 93 (ish), could that work out cheaper than just getting 93? And would it even be worth the extra hassle? I'm from the UK originally and our standard fuel over there is 95 octane (and no ethanol), with super being 97. I used to put 99 octane in my s13 (they're turbocharged from the factory with a Garrett T25 on a CA18DET in the UK, which is fine at 95 octane but once you start tuning you need to switch to super - mine was running a T28 at 20psi). I've only ever put 93 octane in my Camaro SS, as in SC we get 87, 89, and 93 - not the recommended 91. My 2015 Charger R/T used to run just as well on 87 octane as it did on 93, but 93 got an extra 3mpg.

BTW, don't feel bad that we don't get such high octanes over here in the USA. When I was buying fuel in the UK it was probably working out to about $12 a gallon (it's gotten cheaper since I left, but is still at least $6 a gallon). Driving in the USA is beautifully cheap.

Most octane boosters raise octane in tenths (.1). I would not bother.

[MovieGuy]

I just filled my Camaro with premium for the first time the day before yesterday. So I don't know what difference I will see. But my 2014 Mustang consistently got an extra 2 MPG when I ran ethanol free 91 octane in it. I did that math and found that it was a break even thing, I bought less gas, but the gas cost more. And it was right on the break even point more that it cost. The article I read about the engine said that advancing the timing to compensate for the higher octane would actually increase horse power slightly. They said 7 to 12 hp depending on whether it was 91 or 93. To me this would explain the better gas mileage as it was slightly less work to pull the car around.

In the old days, before variable timing and computers, you could actually damage an engine by running the wrong octane because of knocking. Engines were timed to a specific octane.

[KoolHyperBlue]

For anyone who owns a 8 Cylinder performance engined car and doesn't run premium gas is a straight up fool !!!!!!!

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by KoolHyperBlue

For anyone who owns a 8 Cylinder performance engined car and doesn't run premium gas is a straight up fool !!!!!!!

Owner's manual says you can run 87 octane but if the engine starts knocking stop doing that. The very fact that they added that little warning, letting you know be careful if you do, would be enough to scare me away from putting it in my car if I had a V8.

The way I understand the variable timing on these engines, upgrading is no problem, but downgrading can cause issues. I think they must start at the recommended octane.

[avalonandl]

Originally Posted by KoolHyperBlue

For anyone who owns a 8 Cylinder performance engined car and doesn't run premium gas is a straight up fool !!!!!!!

Not true. The ECM may not be using the tables that have the higher octane.

If the engine is tuned for 87 there is no real benefit. Will it hurt to run 91-93, no. Just extra $ which is .50-.60 a gallon here in Michigan.

[SPARTAN sui]

Originally Posted by avalonandl

Not true. The ECM may not be using the tables that have the higher octane.

If the engine is tuned for 87 there is no real benefit. Will it hurt to run 91-93, no. Just extra $ which is .50-.60 a gallon here in Michigan.

Yeah, it depends on what the engine was tuned for. I will say my 2007 Impala SS with the LS4 also called for premium. I imagine most modern V8 engines are designed to run on premium primarily.

[TSloper]

Yes the LT1 will run on 87 but the ECM will start to blend between the low octane and high octane timing tables. Actual knock is what will cause the ECM to do this. You will also activate burst knock so while you may not feel it you will be losing performance. I wouldn't do anything that causes high loading while on 87. Stick with at least 91.

[bbrown450]

Think thats Canada bro ...also per liter

Originally Posted by crazydmc

$1.31 !!! dang California ... I paid $2.88 yesterday

[Corner carver]

Think the gas prices suck up here in the great white north? You should see the boarder fees to get performance parts up here!

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by avalonandl

Not true. The ECM may not be using the tables that have the higher octane.

If the engine is tuned for 87 there is no real benefit. Will it hurt to run 91-93, no. Just extra $ which is .50-.60 a gallon here in Michigan.

I am pretty sure the V8 and T4 are tuned for premium. Read the owner's manual. 87 CAN be detrimental to them. Here it is from the owner's manual
If the vehicle has a 2.0L L4 turbo or
a 6.2L V8 engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher.
Regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher can be used,
but acceleration and fuel economy
will be reduced, and an audible
knocking noise may be heard. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 91 octane rating or
higher, the engine needs service.

Also from my understanding, which I admit may be flawed, there is no "indexing" the car adjusts it's own timing based on signals from knock sensors. This is a form of tuning to the octane you put in the car.

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by avalonandl

Not true. The ECM may not be using the tables that have the higher octane.

If the engine is tuned for 87 there is no real benefit. Will it hurt to run 91-93, no. Just extra $ which is .50-.60 a gallon here in Michigan.

Here is your warning straight from the owner's manual.

If the vehicle has a 2.0L L4 turbo or
a 6.2L V8 engine, use premium
unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM
specification D4814 with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher.
Regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher can be used,
but acceleration and fuel economy
will be reduced, and an audible
knocking noise may be heard. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at
91 octane or higher as soon as
possible. Otherwise, the engine
could be damaged. If heavy
knocking is heard when using
gasoline with a 91 octane rating or
higher, the engine needs service.

[init4fun]

Originally Posted by Nicul15

so in that car performance difference between them would be negligible as there is likely no 93 map. there is a 9% improvement of mpg, what is the % difference in money between 87 and 93?

.

Performance is the same i'm sure. It "feels" quicker but i'm sure that is all in my head. It's a 4 cyl. Camry so obviously I didn't buy it for performance.

The difference in mileage isn't worth the cost of premium as the difference is almost .80 here in Shitcago. I just ran a couple of tanks to try to clean things up a bit. The added mileage was a nice side effect but clearly not worth the cost.