What octane to you run in your N/A (Stock) 3.2?
 

I have no clue what the PO used in my car, however the car says to use a minimum grade of 87 octane on the fuel lid. My wifes car an '08 Mercedes Benz C300 only has 228 hp is not a high-performance engine by anymeans but calls for a minimum of Premium or 91 octane. It baffles me why a "Performance" oriented car like our Porsche Carrera's were in the 80's would call for the minimum rated fuel? I've been using the highest availible in my area 91 since I've had the car or at least about 2-3 tank fulls and the cars idle and perfomance feels smoother (arguably) from the butt dyno and to the ears, as well as looking at the tach needle smoothen out. My question is what do most Pelican's use in theri car and what is best for my 20 year old car and the 3.2? I will stop using 91 tommorow if I'm damaging something, but right now it doesn't appear do be hurting the car.

-Ryan

It's supposed to run on 93, but since we only have 91.... No problems with 91. 24 years and 230,000+ miles.

You can run 89 as well, but only with very conservative driving. Stick with 91 ;).

Like the book says, 87. Anything higher is a total waste.

87 octane is plenty sufficient for the stock chip as Porsche was somewhat conservative in the mappings and had to accomodate for the lowest common denominator of the masses. If you regularly use a higher octane (I've always run 93 in my performance cars), go ahead an get a Steve Wong chip (especially if yours is an 84-86), and you will be pleasantly surprised at the improved performance.

Mine says 91 (R+M)/2 minimum octane on the fuel filler door. I run 93, since that's what Shell sells around here. If yours says 87, run 87.

I have a SW chip, supposed to use 93 octane here, which i always do. However one attendant disregarded my request at the Valeo station, and filled it up regular. I was not happy at all. Until at least 2 tanks of gas later, i drove real real easy. In NY you pump your own gas, and you dont have to worry about anyone damaging your fender with the damn pump while they jam it into the filler tube, or using the wrong octane because they didnt hear you, even though you said "93" and "fill in the SAME sentence." Needless to say, this is why I HATE living in NJ.

I use 91, with stock chip and cat out. I didn't know the "book" spec. was 87. I guess it couldn't hurt for cold or non track days. I've not heard any pinging... but may not be able to hear it because of highish noise levels.

-89 911 3.2, cat out

Weird, my '88 said minimum 91. That's always what I ran.

whenever it comes to octane, I get confused. Each person/car says different number. Why? Is it because each engine built in different place? :lol:

I just went out to see what it said on the inside of the fuel door.. says "91" OKTAN MIN (RON+MON ) / 2

89 3.2

I have always used 91 oct. Once I let my Dad borrow the 911 and he filled it with 87 oct and needless to say it ran like crap even being gentle with it! I had to ask him "what did you do to my Porsche?" He says " nothing! I even filled it up for you, even though when you were a kid and borrowed my car you always returned it on empty!"
Ugh!
Nothing I can say to the man about that! Anyways, I informed him gently, "it takes premium only Dad, says it right there on the filler door" he says " it's in German! How did I know!"

Wattyah gonna do?

Run the premium 91 Oct and count it up as cost of owning a fine German sport car!

I always use 91 but once or twice I put in 87 by mistaken. I couldn't feel any different. Maybe I am not sensitive enough. I did it once or twice to all of my german cars, even with chip.

Hi rnln, you must need some "sensitivity training" :). Seriously, the gas by itself isn't going to make much difference, but the higher octanes allow one to run a chip the pushes the envelope a bit past stock chip's "mappings" with no worries of predetonation damaging your engine.

My 88 USA 3.2 says "91" octane)
My 80 USA 928 says "87"

Diverdan

I'm on the edge with my 9.8 to one 3.4 single plug - so min of 93 please. No sense to push it

At home, I use 93, on trips, I have always used whatever the premium grade octane was, whenever I bought fuel. I may not have needed it, but... I believe that it says 91 on my fuel door.

I use 93, but mine is chipped for it, and chiming in with others, the chip is a very good improvement. I've had mine for about 2 years and its the best bang for the buck that I have gotten.

I use 91 in my 83sc but I noticed Texaco in my area sells 93. Is it that much of a difference between 91 and 93?

the best I can easily buy around here is 91 so I use 91

Interesting, my fuel door says: "Oktan" min. 98 ROZ/RON

Owner manual says 96 RON (92 CLC or AKI (R+M/2)

My car runs well on Amoco super (93) whatever......

1986 3.2

Different methods of calculation from what I understand. Amoco is all I've ever used in my performance cars (although it's sold under the BP name now). Can't do better than 93 in most areas, and CA folks are just SOL :)

Looking at it from another perspective, I suppose some might say if your car can't run on 87 you're sol too.

Nah, we just put those "wimpy" stock chips back in when we visit CA :)

The 3.2 cars don't have knock sensors so the rule is pretty clear. You run enough octane that the engine doesn't detonate at all. Any more then the minimum and you are just spending extra money unless the higher grade has a better additive package. (Chevron used to put more Techron in the Premium grade. Not sure if that is still true.)

You can't hear subtle detonation (especially in an aircooled motor) but it still causes problems. If you can tell the difference then you should go up a grade.

Around here we have Chevron 87, 89, 92/93. My book says use RON 96, and 92 rating for pumps in the USA, '86 3.2. I think maybe anyone burning anything under 91 should rethink things? :)

The Amoco (BP) 93 around here used to be the "white gas" many years ago. It's still clean stuff...when I went to a local foreign outfit to pick up some some Techron, the owner asked me which gas I used, and I told him Amoco 93...he replied "don't waste your money on the Techron...don't need it". I still run a bottle through on occasioin. What the 93 octane allows us to do is to run a chip that's programmed to take advantage of the additional octane, boost performance a bit, and still protect the motor. Heck, my prior sports cars had factory chips that required 93 (or was it 91) as I recall, I don't pinch pennies with expensive motors :).

Unless you have a performance chip or anything other than a stock engine, run 87. There is absolutely NO performance gain from a higher octane. High octanes are used to prevent knocking. Turbocharged cars and N/A cars with their ignition timing advanced are some examples.

Before I installed a SW chip, I ran 87 for many years with no ill effects or performance decreases.

I'd suggest that people take a look at their owner's manuals, or the octane sticker on the car, before assuming that 87 is good for everyone. There were some changes made to the Carreras during the 6 years they were produced, so they are not all the same. Also, cars with higher mileage can have carbon buildup in the cylinders, they can burn oil from the valve guides, they can have other defects that make them less tolerant to lower octane. Most people can't hear detonation in a 911 motor, unless it is severe. How experienced are your ears?

As others noted, some gasoline brands include better additive packages in their higher grades of gas, so that's another thing to consider.

Caveat emptor.

JR