08-10 SS Turbocharged General Discussion Discuss the 2008 - 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbocharged. On sale since the second quarter of 2008.

Power / fuel economy loss on 87 octane???

Old Oct 29, 2010 | 11:19 AM
  #1  
FAT_POPS's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 10-13-06
Posts: 82
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic
Power / fuel economy loss on 87 octane???

(I'm talking bone stock cars here folks.)

Anyone have experience on a dyno, or a lot of miles checking fuel economy, to see what the difference might be here?

Does the PCM dial back the boost on 87, only cut timing, or ?

Chris
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
Grishbok's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 09-23-10
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: VA
*knock, knock* whose there?
more knock!
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 11:34 AM
  #3  
Iam Broke's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: 10-24-08
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 1
From: Dark side of the Moon
More knock so it will pull timing. I wouldn't recommend it.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 11:41 AM
  #4  
Terminator2's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by FAT_POPS
(I'm talking bone stock cars here folks.)

Anyone have experience on a dyno, or a lot of miles checking fuel economy, to see what the difference might be here?

Does the PCM dial back the boost on 87, only cut timing, or ?

Chris
It will knock and pull loads of timing on 87 octane and considering the stock timing advance is only 5-10* at WOT. Having the ECM pulling as much as 8* or more timing advance will make for major power loss. I doubt a stock tune LNF on 87 octane would make more than 190 whp.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 12:20 PM
  #5  
FAT_POPS's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 10-13-06
Posts: 82
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic
Originally Posted by Terminator2
It will knock and pull loads of timing on 87 octane and considering the stock timing advance is only 5-10* at WOT. Having the ECM pulling as much as 8* or more timing advance will make for major power loss. I doubt a stock tune LNF on 87 octane would make more than 190 whp.
I just got the car this week, and it's only making 14 psi. Could it be the dealer gave me a tank of regular? Isn't is supposed to be like 22?

Chris
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 12:26 PM
  #6  
09CobaltSS1's Avatar
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
 
Joined: 04-12-09
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
15psi +/- a couple of psi due to a few atmospheric and elevation variables.. 14psi is plenty within reason
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 12:32 PM
  #7  
Iam Broke's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: 10-24-08
Posts: 3,356
Likes: 1
From: Dark side of the Moon
21 psi would be a GMPP upgrade or aftermarket tune.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 12:33 PM
  #8  
Godly's Avatar
Premium Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: 08-07-09
Posts: 5,224
Likes: 0
From: Beckley, West Virginia
Quit being cheap and put in 93
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 12:36 PM
  #9  
Terminator2's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by FAT_POPS
I just got the car this week, and it's only making 14 psi. Could it be the dealer gave me a tank of regular? Isn't is supposed to be like 22?

Chris
Nope stock tune is 13-15psi normally.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 09:41 PM
  #10  
Malaclypse's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 09-29-05
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Originally Posted by Godly
Quit being cheap and put in 93
This.

Its $2 a tank. Spend a little extra on your car.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 09:52 PM
  #11  
KnightSS/TC's Avatar
Premium Member
 
Joined: 04-12-09
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 0
From: Madison, Ohio
A buddy I know runs 89 in his usually & has ran 87 a few times lol car ran like complete **** & even went into limp mode. I warned him not to do this & just put good gas in it only, maybe next time he'll listen to me. I have never used anything lowe then 91 usually its 93 depending on what gas station I go to.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 10:29 PM
  #12  
black67's Avatar
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: 11-14-09
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: Medina, Ohio
When I first bought mine, I tried 89 octane in it. The power dropped drastically and the gas mileage dropped by about 3 miles per gallon. I usually average around 32 mpg with my dialy driving and have averaged 36 mpg on a longer trip, all of this on 93 octane.

In the manual, it even says that with lower octane you will lose power. They do not tell you that you will also lose gas mileage with it.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 11:07 PM
  #13  
ronn's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: 09-30-09
Posts: 2,532
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Think I had this problem recently.


HOUSTON—The Texas Department of Agriculture is investigating 16 Houston-area gas stations for allegedly mixing lower-octane gasoline with higher-octane, higher-priced gas.



Records show gas stations pump out low-octane gas from premium pumps | khou.com | Khou.com - News, Houston news, Texas News, Headlines
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2010 | 12:22 AM
  #14  
slapbetcommissioner's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: 09-15-09
Posts: 4,140
Likes: 57
From: Winnipeg
It's not a drastic loss in power but it isn't a good idea. Just put premium in it and call it a day. The gained mpg at regular driving conditions will make up the differece. You will probably see 3mpg better.

Sure wish we had 93octain here....
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2010 | 12:25 AM
  #15  
tom.g's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: 03-11-09
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
Originally Posted by Terminator2
It will knock and pull loads of timing on 87 octane and considering the stock timing advance is only 5-10* at WOT. Having the ECM pulling as much as 8* or more timing advance will make for major power loss. I doubt a stock tune LNF on 87 octane would make more than 190 whp.
So what your saying is it would still be faster than a new Civic Si and Golf GTi
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2010 | 09:22 AM
  #16  
G Speed's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 07-18-08
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 0
From: Maple Syrup Land
according to GM...

stock 87 will work fine, 91 will work optimal

gms1 91 will work fine, 93 will work optimal
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2010 | 02:49 AM
  #17  
FAT_POPS's Avatar
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: 10-13-06
Posts: 82
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Atlantic
Thank you to those of you who answered my question. I don't mind spending the extra $$$ on 93 but still would like to know if anyone has dynoed to see the difference.
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2010 | 04:09 AM
  #18  
BlueStang's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: 08-05-06
Posts: 5,528
Likes: 1
From: Here
I do think it says in your owners manual to use preamium fuel for the SS/SC & SS/TC
Reply
Old Oct 31, 2010 | 10:30 AM
  #19  
yamaha288's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: 08-25-09
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: North East Houston
I ran 87 for the first 30k miles and ran a 14.1 all stock I didn't notice any problems and when I was tuned we did a short data log on the stock tune with 87 and it was almost perfect.

Now that im tuned though I run 93
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 08:03 AM
  #20  
whitey_rolls's Avatar
New Member
 
Joined: 06-03-10
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Southern Ontario Canada
I was curious about this myself. I've run 91 Octane in the vehicle since I bought it (pretty much the highest grade fuel I can get where I live). With winter rolling around I was considering putting 87 Octane in it, I just do city driving and don't imagine the turbo will be spooling up anytime soon.

After poking around the forum though I think I'll stick with my 91 octane.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 08:09 AM
  #21  
Staged07SS's Avatar
Administrator
Administrator
Platinum Member
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: 12-30-07
Posts: 14,079
Likes: 197
From: NEPA
I'm not even going to bother reading through all the posts, because there is only one real answer. Use premium fuel in your car!!!! /thread.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 09:03 AM
  #22  
Terminator2's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Originally Posted by yamaha288
I ran 87 for the first 30k miles and ran a 14.1 all stock I didn't notice any problems and when I was tuned we did a short data log on the stock tune with 87 and it was almost perfect.

Now that im tuned though I run 93
There is no way it did not knock on 87 octane with the stock tune.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 09:15 AM
  #23  
BoostedYards86's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: 06-03-07
Posts: 1,265
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
even with 93 octane the turbo balts like to knock on stock tune. this is like the most idiotic thread i've seen on this forum for a while.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 09:35 AM
  #24  
mongorat427's Avatar
Premium Member
iTrader: (82)
 
Joined: 07-23-09
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 9
From: pittsburgh
Originally Posted by Godly
Quit being cheap and put in 93
For sure. Im getting ready to make the move to E85 myself
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2010 | 09:39 AM
  #25  
mongorat427's Avatar
Premium Member
iTrader: (82)
 
Joined: 07-23-09
Posts: 6,062
Likes: 9
From: pittsburgh
Mine runs best on 93 and I have Meth also. I even tried addind a gallon of 110 to the tank and it didnt run any better. Ill stick with 93 until Im ready to go to E85
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:09 AM.