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93 octane required - WTF do we do in Cali?

4.6K views 36 replies 27 participants last post by  Whipdan  
#1 ·
I have been told for the new Z06 you must use 93 octane. That is great except in California the highest we can get is 91 octane. So does this mean no one in California can get a Z06!? WTF? Why would GM do this? If I say what the heck and run it on 91 and something goes wrong will GM honor the warranty? I'm guessing not...
 
#2 ·
andym said:
I have been told for the new Z06 you must use 93 octane. That is great except in California the highest we can get is 91 octane. So does this mean no one in California can get a Z06!? WTF? Why would GM do this? If I say what the heck and run it on 91 and something goes wrong will GM honor the warranty? I'm guessing not...
Get yourself a 50 gallon drum of toluene
 
#4 ·
jub jub said:
Might need to go to Nevada to fill up! Seriously, I don't think that it will hurt the engine at all. The PCM should compensate for the lower octane. You'll just loose performance is all, IMO.
I think you're likely to be right, but I'd like GM to confirm it and confirm that the warranty will be honored just in case.
 
#7 ·
jub jub said:
Might need to go to Nevada to fill up! Seriously, I don't think that it will hurt the engine at all. The PCM should compensate for the lower octane. You'll just loose performance is all, IMO.
Even my 01 pings on 91. And I know I'm not the only one on this forum who has mentioned this before. Fortunately I hve found a local plac that sells 101 off the pump, so I ususally throw a couple of gallons of that in there and mix it with 91.

The gas here in cali truly is crap.
 
#10 · (Edited)
andym said:
For the C6 yes, but not the C6 Z06. The guy I spoke to said he heard Dave Hill say in person that 93 is required and not just recommended.
Yep, they are about ready to announce that all Z06s allocated to 91 octane states will be redistributed to the rest of us. Special chips and Radio Frequency Transmitters will be installed at the border warning of probable engine damage if you fill up in a 91 state.

If you are so foolish as to proceed your car will broadcast a message to GM which will signal your car to reduce timing to
- 15 degrees and run on alternating 4 cylinders. That should clear up any potential problem.
 
#12 ·
Right. They wouldnt screw up THAT badly.

Hell, even the S65 was "supposed" to run 94 octane, but thats running fine out here (saw one on the road last week).
 
#13 ·
281 said:
There is no way the Z06 will not be able to run off 91 octane. GM would lose a third of its sales.
GM will sell it to you no mater where you live but its your resposibility to use the proper octane or oil type for that matter.These high compression engines must be protected from detonation at all cost and if you live in a low octane state you will pay the price either way.Ask any old car hot rodder about low octane and high compression alot of them learned the hard way.
 
#14 ·
Instead of asking "why would GM does this?" who don't you ask "why would California do this?"

Oh yeah...

Stupid liberal smog-nazi Hollywood college drop-outs. That's why.

But in all seriousness, what's your elevation? If you're high up, you don't need high octane anyway - as is the case with Colorado. Octane just allows for higher compression without detonation; if you're at a higher elevation, less oxygen is in the combustion chambers, and the higher octane isn't necessary. If you're at sea level with only 91 octane available, then it's time to write your smog-Nazi senator.
 
#15 ·
Just one more problem with California gasoline. :screwy: They force citizens to pay for gas that burns 3% cleaner but 10% less efficient. Does this make sense? :screwy:
 
#16 ·
it will run on 91 it will evern run on 87 its is gas after all. all you have to do is find a station that has 101 and do a half/half mix or run torco
 
#21 ·
The problem's not only in California - MANY states only go to 91 octane.

Here in Oklahoma you can find 93 octane but it is difficult. I have to go about 10 miles out of my way to fill up (and I live in Oklahoma City). All of the major brands (Shell, Texaco & etc) are 91 octane - I can only find 93 octane at Sinclair stations - and not all of them carry it.

So the bottom line is - it's not just a California problem - there will be a lot of people pissed-off about this.
 
#22 ·
Thomasr said:
GM will sell it to you no mater where you live but its your resposibility to use the proper octane or oil type for that matter.These high compression engines must be protected from detonation at all cost and if you live in a low octane state you will pay the price either way.Ask any old car hot rodder about low octane and high compression alot of them learned the hard way.
Thats why there is a warranty. Dealerships here know that there is only 91 octane. There is no way they would void your warranty for using it. As far as detonation, it is not going to happen. Especailly if you have your car tuned. I just sold my 03 KB Cobra that put down 620rwhp on 91 octane at 18psi. The manual also stated to use only 93 octane. I never had any signs of detonation. GM will make the car compatable with 91 octane.
 
#23 ·
Get the hell out of California...
 
#25 ·
You could also blend some aviation gas to get the desired octane. Blend it linearly.

In other words 3 gallon of 100 octane av gas to 15 gallons of 91 octane would give you 93+ octane gasoline.

There is no reason to have a higher octane gas than what is needed. :yeadog:
 
#26 ·
281 said:
Thats why there is a warranty. Dealerships here know that there is only 91 octane. There is no way they would void your warranty for using it. As far as detonation, it is not going to happen. Especailly if you have your car tuned. I just sold my 03 KB Cobra that put down 620rwhp on 91 octane at 18psi. The manual also stated to use only 93 octane. I never had any signs of detonation. GM will make the car compatable with 91 octane.
Do you really want to have your engine replaced under warranty? I would do anything to avoid that.