Hi there! Here's the deal. I saw this real nice looking 2000 SS camaro for sale. But the thing is, it has no plates, so I can't test drive it. The owner says it exhibits some engine ping when accelerating. This goes away when using 92 or higher octane fuel. So here's the question: Should I be concerned about this or is it something normal for LS1 engines. I don't want to spent the extra cash for the high grade fuel....91 would be the highest I would go..most gas stations don't even go higher here....so what's your opinion on this...thanks a lot! Indy

 

The 87 octane fuel can cause LS1's to ping but 91 or better should clear that right up. I would still consider the car because pinging on lower grade gas is normal.

I would however insist on test driving it. Plates or no plates it's a bad idea to buy a car you didn't drive. Just pull the rear plate off any car you have access to and use it for a test drive. Even if you get pulled over you can explain to the officer that your on a test drive which is why the plate isn't registered to that car.

Odds are he/she will let it slide. But drive it first and put good gas in it to get the pinging to stop and best performance out of the car.

 

buy a used car without test driving it? no thanks.

 

Well, I would test drive it...but only if the supposed pinging sound was normal for a LS1 motor. I would get a plate for a day....but if you guys think that a pipnging motor means trouble, I wouldn't even consider a test drive. Does everbody's motor ping under 92 octane?Indy

 

Pinging is not noraml ... It's recommended that 91 or better be used to prevent pinging ...

Here's where you want to be concerned, it sounds like he ran lower octane regularly and simply ignored the pinging ... pinging is not good for an engine ... it can reasonably be surmised that this engine has some damage ...

If you are planning on tearing it down and doing H/C no big deal ...

But if you are going to leave the engine stock, do not expect it to preform at the same levels as other LS1s and you should probabaly avoid racing it ...

 

I don't think it will cost you that much more, and the engine requires premium gasoline.

Like the others said, don't buy it if you haven't driven the car and tested out everything. I'd be REAL suspicious about that guy if he doesn't want anyone driving it.

 

Thanks guys for all the help!!!! I really appreciate it. I think I will look for another SS then....I don't want to take the risk. Even if there's only a small chance that there's something wrong. Yeah, I was surprised too that he didn't have plates on it. I mean, if you have the money to buy a brand new SS with even some extra options, I would guess that one has enough money to pay for insurance....

So, if there's engine pinging with 91 octane fuel, I should be cautios, right? But pinging at 89 would be normal.
Indy

 

I'm not sure about 89. I know 87 is known to cause pinging and 93 is definately good. If 89 is the best in your area then use it but if you have 93 then I recommend it. Maybe someone who uses 89 on a regular basis for whatever reason can chime in and let us know if there is a problem. I myself have never put anything other then 93 octane in my tank.

 

Why would you buy a car with an engine that requires higher octane and then not use the higher octane knowing that it is going to cause pinging, retarded timing and the inevitable engine failure? No wonder he's selling the car, he's trying to sell it off before it becomes a problem. Wonder why it isn't registered now? Is the title clear? The owner obviously didn't care about this car. I wouldn't buy it. That car is tainted, IMO...

 

Maybe they cant afford the car and can only afford to put 87 octane gas in it

Mine still pings at times with 91 octane gas, but I'd never put 87 in it unless I couldnt afford the 91 (which has only happened to me once when I was temporarily broke)

 

Given that its a 2000 its probably not going to have a lot wrong with it. LS1's are very reliable cars, even when pushed really hard. You've got to test drive it to see if the transmission feels right. I'd say dont rule the car out just yet.