26 Jun
Still Using Premium Gasoline?
With a diesel truck there’s not much of a choice as far as which fuel to get. A Corvette engine, on the other hand, is tuned for 93 octane gasoline but there are other options available. I’m still putting 93 in mine, but from what I understand the computers in the C5 engine will change the timing and make other tuning adjustments based on the quality of fuel. Since I’m driving my ‘vette much more now (since diesel fuel is so )@*#&$ expensive right now, compared to even premium gas) it occurred to me that I might be able to save a few bucks here and there by dropping down a grade in octane.
For now, I’m not. 
Am I’m sure the horsepower would suffer at least some if I did. I find myself wondering if it would be noticable or not…
Hope it isn’t under warranty still, if you decide to run lower octane fuel. You will have voided the warranty if you switch out, and an engine problem results that the shop shows was caused or exacerbated by running low-octane. Also, yes – you will notice a difference in performance. It’s designed for premium. Sports cars have different fuel chamber designs for faster speeds and acceleration, necessitating higher octane.
July 24th, 2008 at 12:27 pmHi, Marcy, and welcome to my blog. I apologize for not responding sooner, but thank you for your comment.
Yes, my car is well out of warranty (it’s a 2001 model) and no, I have not yet tried the experiment of running on lower octane gasoline.
I do understand that it was designed to run on 93 (or higher) but I thought I was told that the computer would automatically adjust the timing if it detected engine knock caused by lower octane fuels.
But as I said, so far I have not tested out the concept, I was just curious about the results. Thanks again, and welcome.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:34 pm