hey guys i was just wondering, whats a good octane level to run my 79 camaro z28? it has a 350 in it pretty much stocke except for a holley 4 barrel carb and edelbrock aluminum intake, is89 ok or should i be running something higher like 91? thanks

 

87 should be ok

 

I run 93 in everything. It can't hurt it and you get better gas mileage and have more power. Plus it is much cleaner. The only thing I use 87 in is my lawn mower.

 

Oh no, not the "higher octane adds power" again!
Do a search on this site, it's been covered before.
Your 79 has a smogged, low h.p., low compression engine. It doesn't need more than 87 pump gas, nor will it benefit from using higher octane. An engine won't benefit from running a higher octane unless it needs it, and yours doesn't.
The only thing you'll gain is an emptier wallet.

 

haha, alright thanks a lot guys

 

Just wanted to add one more thing, I did a comparison of sorts with my car at the track its not a real tight comparison because it was different days but the weather was compariable actually a little hotter today. Last weekend we ran 93 octane did 4 timing changes and 6 rejetting of the carb. The engine is a junkyard 350 that has vortec heads and a .440 .420 lift summit cam at best it is a 9.0:1 compression engine in reality its probably 8 to 8.5 to 1 compression engine. The best time we pulled with it was an 8.35 in the 1/8th it might have had a little more cause I lifted just before the line not a whole lot though. Today I put in 87 got there late.. no jet changes no timing adjustments tire pressure 15 lbs both days the best time today was exactly the same 8.35, but I lifted about 4 car lengths from the finish(and still went under). I raced a elcomino(sp?) with a 383 aluminum heads, higher compression pistons, trailered in, he ran his best time of 8.30 I was first to the line but we both went under our dial. At this point in my low compression engine I see no difference using the 93 I am a little curious that a reduction of timing may help alittle with the 87 I believe the car could be in the 8.20s in the right air and track conditions with the 87.

 

I know you get more miles to a gallon on 93 because I have tested it on interstate on my z28 and my 92 ford ranger and my ranger has a 4.0 and runs like crap with 87 in it. Just try it yourself. I dont care what papers or books say, I know what the seat of my pants and my mileage counter says.

 

Everyone I know used 110 octane on the track. I dont know what compression they have.

 

Does your Camaro have the LT1?

 

i dont think so, sorry im still kinda learning while doing this project but unless im mistaken the LT1 came out in the early 90s, my camaro is a 1979 z28 with a pretty much stock 350 except for the holley carb and edlebrock performer intake, if i was wrong how can you tell if it is the LT1? thanks