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What will happen if I stop using 93 octane gas?

Previous posts say either nothing as the ecu with automatically retard the timing to prevent detonation or the engine will knock due to pre-detonation? As these 2 views are exactly opposite it would be good to know the right answer!

i wouldnt, its a high performance motor meant to use premium, i wouldnt stop using it

Even the regular K8 doesnt like 87, i wouldnt risk it if i were you. Dont be cheap!

Originally posted by T-Rose:
Even the regular K8 doesnt like 87, i wouldnt risk it if i were you. Dont be cheap!

got that right....putting 87 octane in a high rev engine is like playing a record on slow setting.

It was the post aboout ZE fuel economy that got me thinking - if premium is 10% more expensive than regular would I get 10% more fuel economy or 10% more pleasure? Probably not both - as I only use my car to commute back and to work there's only so much horsepower I can use getting up to 80km/hr on the fastest stretch into work!

dont be cheap, that motor is not meant to have 87 in it or even near it

the motor was designed for premium fuel. I think the recommended japanese rating was 102 octane, which is close to what our 94 octane is here. I use 92-93 in mine, since the octane ratings at gas stations vary between my sea-level hometown, and 1500ft elevation college-town.

okay so I'm cheap but will 87 wreck the engine?!

You might get some ping or knock. Dont risk it man.

If you are not prepared to run 94 in your Ze, then stick with the stock engine. My Ze does not even like a 92 downgrade, pretty picky eh?

you cant be cheap with a motor, if you do you can end up with a nice hole in the top of your piston or a bent rod

Sorry to be a pain but what does the knock sensor do then? I thought it listened for pre detonation and then retarded the ignition before any damage could occur - I would expect to lose some hp but not wreck the engine if this were the case.

its for the occasional knock or ping, they do happen, its to keep the motor safe while still running the octane rating meant for the car, not for running a octane rating WAY below what the motor calls for

I've always used 87 in my V6, and have never experienced knocking. The manual states 87 is fine.

<small>[ October 15, 2003, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: UoMDeacon ]</small>

So your manual applies for the KLZE engine too? Riiight...

use 87 if you want...we don't care if you blow up your engine