Because running 87 octane won't damage your engine. The knock sensor will compensate and retard the timing to prevent engine ping. But retarding the timing takes away from engine performance, which is what the owners manual is referring to when it mentions "decreased acceleration".

 

OK, good...I ran 87 in it for about a month before I got the owners manual and read on here that it takes premium. Why Chevy didn't put like a label or something on the gas cap, fuel door or the gauge itself is beyond me.

 

the lt1 has reverse cooling which cools the heads and cylinders better than the old style sbc. this allows for higher compression without pre-ignition. running reg gas will not harm the motor. my stock lt1 ran better on reg. this motor does not like it at all. lt1 likes high compression

 

I've seen as low as 85 octane in some parts of Montana and Utah. Probably other parts of the US also.

Here we've pretty much just got 87, 89, 91, and 94 at Husky stations.

 

I'd say 91 is coo

 

what kind of gas do I put into the LT1 car? Well, if I ate turkey or roast beef it's the kind where nobody will ride with me.

so have y'all missed me?

 

Pretty sure he meant gas in the tank, not in the cabin.
And oh, were you gone?

 

As others have stated, the higher the octane, the better your LT1 will run.

However, running anything as low as 87 octane won't harm your engine at all as the knock sensor will detect pre-ignition long before you can hear it, and tell the computer to retard timing. With the timing retarded, you will lose a little power and the engine won't be quite as efficient, hence lower mileage.

All of the modern computer controlled cars will run fine on 87 or 85 octane, you just won't get the best performance or mileage from your car. As another poster stated, if your vehicle has a low performance engine (mini-van or sub-compact fuel saver car, or even the V-6 Camaros), higher octane won't really get you any benefit.

But if you have a high compression LT1 or performance minded LSx engine, then you will definitely benefit from premium fuel. And if you can find pure gas (no ethanol or other additives) you will get the best mileage and performance from your Camaro.

As for me, I only run premium in my '94 LT1 and I get about 25 mpg on road trips (as long as I go easy on the tall thin pedal).

 

When i bought my camaro i didnt have the owners manual so i figured i might as well ask what everyone else was using. Thanks for all the input

 

Oops, I forgot to tell what I put in my LT1. I alternate (every other tank) between premium and mid grade.