I Have a 1967 L71 coupe and would like to know the best fuel availibility for running this engine. Could anyone help with info on types of fuel and/or additives, and where they are commonly found? Any help would be appreciated. Thanx, 67 JE L71
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
Steve - Check the archives on this one. This thread typically shows up at least once a week. My stock L78 runs fine with 93 octane and a lead additive (concentrate purchased from Wal-Mart). I would bet that your L71 will run fine with 93 octane as well. -
Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
I have a rebuilt 427-400hp motor. I had it rebuilt with 10.50 pistons and hard seats. I THOUGHT it ran fine on 93 unleaded gas. I just added two (first tank) cans of Lead Supreme 130 and what a difference.
The motor runs smoother and will even idel when cold (it wouldn't before). I got the stuff from Will Bill's Corvette's (see archives for more). I'm sold.
My .02 cents worth.Comment
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
Steve,
You're asking for the best fuel available, which may depend on what is available in your area. What I think is one of the best fuels available, which is what I use and stock up on, is a premium leaded gasoline, usually in the 104 octane range. I find a brand called Turbo Blue at a Texaco station in my area.
As mentioned, and depending on availability, there are other favorites listed in some Archived discussions. TBarr #24014Comment
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
As Tom said, Turbo Blue is used in our area. I use aviation fuel as I live very close to the airport. I have a friend who has done alot of race engines and says he can't tell any difference in race engines that ran turbo and aviation. The aviation fuel is cheaper and is supposed to be 110 oct. and low lead. It works well in my 60 290/283 but you must put it cans (a fuel tax thing). Don H.Comment
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
Hi Steve...
As Tom had mentioned Turbo-Blue is a good Hi-Octane fuel, but your location will dictate what is available. Usually, racing fuels can be obtained near or at race track facilities in your area. The price for this type of fuel will almost match the octane rating (113+) for some products...just came back from a National drag meet in Englishtown, NJ where a gallon of Cam II 113+ octane was selling for just under $5.00 a gal. I live in CT and ocasionally buy Cam II to run in my Harley - here about 3.75-$4.25 gal...I have a '74 BB and I have never used anything but '93'unleaded strait out of the pump. Hope this helps...Good Luck!
MelComment
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
Steve, et al------
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'm going to repeat myself on this subject. With respect to fuel for hi-performance engines (or ANY engines, for that matter) there are two, primary considerations:
The first is OCTANE. The octane rating of a fuel is directly relative to the fuel's ANTI-KNOCK properties. It has no other relevance whatsoever. If your particular engine, adjusted to factory specifications, does not evidence significant pre-ignition (or "engine knock") using a particular grade of pump gasoline (e.g 93 octane), THEN YOU DON'T NEED HIGHER OCTANE AND HIGHER OCTANE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR YOU EXCEPT COST YOU MORE MONEY. Higher octane, under these circumstances, IS NOT BETTER FOR YOUR ENGINE. As a matter of fact, you might be able to use a LOWER octane fuel.
The above information is applicable to most engines, except those engines with knock sensors. However, NO Corvette from the 60's or 70's period was equipped with knock sensors----not a SINGLE ONE. So, this exception to the rule is not applicable for the vehicles we are discussing here.
The second consideration for fuel is lead content. Lead was added to gasoline for two reasons and for two reasons ONLY. The first was to inexpensively increase octane rating. However, there are other ways to increase octane ratings and an engine doesn't know or care how the fuel used in it achieved it's octane rating. The second is to provide lubrication for exhaust valve seats. Pre-1973 Corvettes do not have hardened exhaust valve seats and are, THEORETICALLY, more susceptible to valve seat recission caused by the lack of lead in modern fuels. However, tests by the auto makers and the US Army have established that, except for engines operated at high power settings for extended periods (e.g stationary powerplant engines), lead is not necessary. Beyond that, if your engine was run for part of it's life on leaded fuel, then it's already got all of the lead protection which it needs until it's next rebuild. At that time, if you wish, you can have hardened exhaust valve seats installed and then the lead "issue" goes away for you permanently and completely. And, if you're still concerned, you can use a lead substitute containing Powershield. Alemite/CD-2, Red Line, and Unocal are among many that do.
Also, kep this in mind: lead is good for inexpensively increasing octane and good for exhaust valve seats, but it is BAD FOR EVERYTHING ELSE IN YOUR ENGINE. So, if you can get sufficient octane some other way and protect your exhaust valves some other way (assuming that they really need protection, at all), you're better off.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
Steve, looks like we are getting more and more L-71 questions. I have a 67 coupe with the L-71, I'm lucky I have access to sunoco 130 racing fuel, but you get a responce or at least get any questions answered by calling Kemco, they produce lead Supreme 130, call 801-768-4408. I've used the product and have no complaints and will go back to it when my local source of Sunoco goes dry. grr#33570Comment
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70 Fuel
This does not change anything that has already been stated, but I had the same question for my 70 LT1. I called the appropriate government agency (I don't remember which one) and they forwarded me to TRW, who keep the records now. I managed to get this information without buying the report: In 1970 the national summer average for "Premium" gas was 99.8 Octane Research, 92.2 Octane Motor, [96 (R+M)/2?] and 2.81 g Pb/gal. Of course, this isn't the super stuff that you would have run anyway. I run 93 bumped to 95-98, mostly because since the 100LL at the airport is such a pain to put in cans (no road tax paid on aviation fuel so you can't put it in a car, but you can a plane or a tractor or a can).Comment
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Re: Fuel for Hi-Perf Engines
Joe is absolutely correct on this issue. In addition, higher octane fuel contains fewer BTU's per gallon, so if you don't need the octane to preclude preignition, you are not only wasting your money, but you are getting LESS power, and poorer fuel economy.Comment
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Re: So if I'm reading this right...
...any gasoline will do, except avoid the ones with lead, and just add a bottle or two of octane booster per tank if needed. TBarr #24014Comment
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