New Chevy 6.0L gasser -- Octane?
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โMar-02-2014 11:19 AM
And why you choose it? -- The 'why' is important too ... because it's not just about mpg, it's about engine performance and wear as well.
Doesn't bother me to buy higher octane as long as it benefits performance ... but am not sure if it makes a difference in the computer fuel management on these new 6.0L engines.
In the HD trucks - it does not offer the 'cylinder selection' option, so it always runs on all eight. The truck is 'labeled' a flex-fuel engine, but I don't really think that matters at this stage ... trucks have been flex-fuel for several years, without that label on the gas cap.
Cape Cod Ma & Central Fla
Chevy 2500HD 4x4 DC-SB
2008 Lance 845
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โMar-03-2014 01:31 PM
Gas engines in trucks are engineered to run on regular gas. Burning a higher octane rated gas accomplishes absolutely nothing with these engines. Using a higher octane rated gas than the manufacturer specifies is about as dumb a thing as anyone can do. It will waste your money and can do nothing for the engine's performance as the higher octane gas does not have a higher btu value.
Take a high compression engine that is designed for high octane gas and use low octane gas and the engine computer will retard the spark to compensate and power will be lost and usually the fuel economy will suffer as well. But that is entirely different from using a higher than needed octane rated gasoline in an engine.
Better to put your money where it will affect the performance and longevity of the engine with regular maintenance and the occasional use of a fuel injector cleaner.
All engines will knock to a degree when under a heavy load at full throttle as when going up a steep grade and that is not indicative of the gas having too low an octane rating.
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โMar-03-2014 01:02 PM
GM does recommend using TTG.
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)
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โMar-03-2014 12:22 PM
McDonoughDawg wrote:
What does the owners manual say?
I am guessing 87.
If so, that is what I would run.
It doesn't specify - it says it will run on all three, and 85 ethanol will run in this truck. It doesn't tell me which is best.
I'd prefer better gas mileage if I have the choice, but not at the expense of the engine running or wearing or costing more repairs later ...
I'm fine with the 87, have been running it for years in my 2003 6.0L, but was wondering if there is some greater benefit in the new engines if we run higher octane. Apparently, there is not anything specific enough to change.
With the newest electronics, I just wasn't sure - and am not a mechanic, so thought some guys on here would know better than me if one is better for some specific mechanical or electronic reason.
We haul a truck camper, not a heavy trailer. It's about 3200 lbs. and I get the 2500HD because of the weight on the axles not because of towing a heavy trailer. This one has a 4:10, although I'd have preferred the 3:73 like my last truck - which hauled this camper just fine ...
Cape Cod Ma & Central Fla
Chevy 2500HD 4x4 DC-SB
2008 Lance 845
Back-country camping fanatic
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โMar-03-2014 10:45 AM
I am guessing 87.
If so, that is what I would run.
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โMar-03-2014 10:29 AM
I have tried 93.
My "butt dyno" or non scientific mpg formula gave me any indication or added value or mpg increase.
Might get a tad more power when pulling, but that's not enough for me to justify the $.30 more /gallon.
If it got me 2-3 mpg more, I would. But it doesn't. Unless my trip is downhill both ways.
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โMar-03-2014 10:27 AM
monkey44 wrote:
Yeah -- I wouldn't run the 85 ethanol either ... we have 87-89-91 here, and the dealer actually got back to me today and says the engine is set up for 87 from the factory. So, I'll try it for a few tanks each and see what happens.
I was just wondering what other trucks run and why it might be better one or the other. Don't care as much about the savings per gallon as I do the best performance of the truck - I plan on owning this one for a long time and want to treat it right from day one ... our truck will take care of us if we take care of it ... That's my thought anyway.
Depends on what you want?
You say "Don't care as much about the savings per gallon as I do the best performance of the truck."
What kind of performance? Most HP? If so, fill her up with E85 and hammer down. That is where you will find the most HP.
Most MPG? It's going to be VERY close between regular and premium if both have Eth in them like we have out in Ca. You will get right at 4 to 5% better fuel economy with no Eth. Like I said above, it can even boil down to weather or even altitude for octane. So if fuel economy is important then get one with no Eth.
Bottom line is:
You want power? Get a fuel with the highest alkie content possible.
You want mileage? Get a fuel with the lowest alkie content possible.
Wear? Really no difference between the two. The OLM will more than likely go off sooner if you use E85.
"Life is not tried ~ it is merely survived ~ if you're standing
outside the fire"
"The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly."- Abraham Lincoln
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โMar-03-2014 09:18 AM
APT wrote:
The only reason to use higher than 87 octane with the stock GM 6.0L is if it meant no ethanol vs. E10/E15.
I agree, and also the reason I filled 91 on last two fill ups.
re: my earlier post
My choices were 85 regular, 87 ethanol, or 91 no ethanol.
Jerry
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โMar-03-2014 06:55 AM
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)
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โMar-02-2014 03:39 PM
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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โMar-02-2014 03:39 PM
I was just wondering what other trucks run and why it might be better one or the other. Don't care as much about the savings per gallon as I do the best performance of the truck - I plan on owning this one for a long time and want to treat it right from day one ... our truck will take care of us if we take care of it ... That's my thought anyway.
Cape Cod Ma & Central Fla
Chevy 2500HD 4x4 DC-SB
2008 Lance 845
Back-country camping fanatic
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โMar-02-2014 03:12 PM
Be prepared for about a 30% decrease in mileage if you burn the E85 alcohol.
On another note, I just noticed my 2014 5.3 makes 355 hp on gas and 380 hp on E85.
383 pounds torque on gas and 416 pounds on E85.
Haven't tried E85 and have no plans to.
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โMar-02-2014 03:03 PM
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โMar-02-2014 02:26 PM
DavisK wrote:
This makes me wonder about a lot of comments I've read in other places. I read that others buy gassers instead of diesels because the fuel is cheaper even though the diesels get better mileage. Today's fuel prices where I buy: Premium - $3.50, Diesel - $3.54.
You are fortunate. Right now around here diesel is 40cents more then gas and has been higher. Makes one think more about the diesel/gas decision as far as fuel costs are concerned.
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โMar-02-2014 02:18 PM
2015 Jayco 29QBS
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โMar-02-2014 01:58 PM
As far as the diesel to gas spread. It has tightened up around here to about 40 cents cheaper for gas it is almost always 60-70 cents more for diesel but I have seen as high as a 90 cent spread.
I don't know where in VA that other guy is but I can get unleaded 87 around here for 3.20