I wasn't questioning your claims ( I didn't even read them in detail).... I was simply telling you that I was "merging" the threads because you hit "new thread" rather than "reply", and I wanted to move the errant reply under the thread you appeared to be responding to.

 

my apologizes + thanks for the explaination, I thought you were referign to the 'I heard race horse ****.." statment.. I am a rookie at this forum but am leanring

 

Basically the air filter will allow more air into the motor more easily. If you also have a less restrictive exhaust the combination should achieve better miles per gallon in addition to better performance. Like always however, your driving habits will ultimately decide your level of satisfaction.

I have a 2000 Bonneville with a K&N and the 3.8 and I am getting between 30 and 35 mpg depending on how I drive.

You do need to be very careful not to over oil the K&N filter.

 

Am i gaining anything from running 89 Octane in my 2000 Astro Van? The manual says 87 (Regular) or higher. I wish i had a way of scanning for knock retard on the van like i do on the Camaro..
FYI... the van has a 4.3L Vortec

 

First of all, if I was hearing pinging or knocking I would change to the higher octane. Second of all I have never used anything higher than 87 and I have never had a problem. Third of all I have driven the car to Colorado from Texas twice and my average mpg is 29.7. I have made 40 or so passes on the 87 and my slowest time is 13.8 at 102 mph,and that was in the middle of the day in a hot Texas summer. I cannot see a reason to run the more expensive gas when it does nothing more than take money out of my pocket. Oh and yes I guess I'm the foolish one right

 

unlikely to see any real benifit above 87, I have a 96 astro and a 04 blazer, both with the 4.3, never saw a difference in octanes, so i run 87 in both

 

Its not likely you would hear pinging or knocking.... the knock sensor hears it first and the PCM pulls out timing, reducing performance. What is the elevation where you live? Have you ever made back-to-back runs with higher octane fuel to see if you could run faster/quicker?

 

"Am i gaining anything from running 89 Octane in my 2000 Astro Van? The manual says 87 (Regular) or higher. I wish i had a way of scanning for knock retard on the van like i do on the Camaro..
FYI... the van has a 4.3L Vortec"

years ago i drove with my parents across the country in a ford station wagon (torture i know) towing a pop-up camper...something like 8000 miles.

we did a few tests to see if the higher octane helped. over several thousand miles on 87, then on 89, we noticed a definate increase in milage. although it was not enough to offset the higher price of the gas.

it was close...but since my dad is a tightwad, ****-retentive engineer...we stuck with 87.

only way to know if it would be a benefit is to try it yourself. and you can't just do a tank or 2....do it for a few thousand miles...keeping meticulous track of mileage. the more miles you do it on...the more accurate the results

 

87 in a lt1 eww. How do you know your not loseing power if you have never ran 93 octane? Also do you have dyno numbers to compare?

 

Is there any other kind of engineer?

 

not that I've ever met

 

Just out of curiosity I thought I would see if I could do the math still: I did for 28 mpg regular @ $2.30 a gallon

Say current mpg is 28 with 87 octane at gas price of $2.30 that is about 8.1 cents a mile
Now say mpg is 30 with 89 octane at gas price of $2.40 that is about 8 cents a mile

Minimal difference in order to really see any real cost need to see 4 or 5 mpg increase… personally I only worry about it if I am taking a long trip and need more miles per tank as don’t want to stop many time ( 89 octane gives me about 400 miles a tank while 87 gives about 360; so on 89 I can theoretically make it from DC to Florida with one stop, of course unless wifee needs to go to the bathroom every 10 miles but rest areas are easy on/off than gas stations)

 

No, your not foolish. You know better than every one else including the ones that designed the engine. They don't know any better and or recommend the higher octane because they recieve a kick-back from the gas companys.

 

Its not likely you would hear pinging or knocking.... the knock sensor hears it first and the PCM pulls out timing, reducing performance. What is the elevation where you live? Have you ever made back-to-back runs with higher octane fuel to see if you could run faster/quicker?


87 in a lt1 eww. How do you know your not loseing power if you have never ran 93 octane? Also do you have dyno numbers to compare?

LS1


If you would have read the whole thing I ran 93 octane for a couple of weeks. I ran no better but no worse. Oh and if you can point me in the direction of anyone in a m6 on a bad track with 245 street tires that is all stock that runs consistenty in the low 13's i would like to talk to them because I have not found anyone yet. Not to mention On the the highway I get 30 mpg.

 

I DID read the whole thing. That's why I asked "Have you ever made back-to-back runs with higher octane fuel to see if you could run faster/quicker"?

I also asked "What is the elevation where you live?"..... because increased elevation.... for example Amarillo.... reduces the engine's octane requirement, as does lower inlet air temperatures.