2017 Silverado 1500 6.2 using Regular Gas

SierraHD17 · August 22, 2019

It's all ignition timing.. I don't think anyone has dynoed a 6.2 without premium so it's going to be hard. You will lose 10 or more degrees of advance during knock events on one though... and that can be 40 or 50 hp or more... If you never push the pedal hard you won't notice much difference from a 4.3 V6 truck either.

ForumUser · August 22, 2019

Interesting thoughts - I've met some gas station owners, and managers - most didn't know ANYTHING about what was in their fuel - they were, however, willing to postulate freely.

If you find something related to studies of this, please post it - I've gotta think if fuel manufacturers are not doing what they said they are doing in the advertising, there would be class action lawsuits.

Please let us know what you find.

ForumUser · August 22, 2019

Burning only regular, I have to be very careful of the truck not ripping the tires loose all the time ...

If I was professionally towing on hilly roads, I would reconsider

SierraHD17 · August 22, 2019

Low end torque is still mostly there but the mid range and upper end go away pretty badly. A 6.2 on regular is a dog compared to one on premium. I have played that game over and over many times on probably 10 different examples. If you just light feather and drive without performance in mind... the difference isn't overly notable.

ForumUser · August 22, 2019

I realize the 87 vs high octane discussion continues .

I’m getting suitable performance from the engine with 87 ... if it isnt being damaged, and the manufacturer allows 87, why would I spend 20% more on fuel?

ForumUser · August 22, 2019

On regular, mine seriously hauls butt ... hut the rev limiter real quick.

I’m thinking i would prefer to save the $300 a year (12k miles at 20 mpg).

SierraHD17 · August 22, 2019

Nobody is telling you to do anything... just giving their position and explanation. If 300 bucks is that big of a deal to you and you like how it runs now just continue to run 87. Like I said... most of the world beyond enthusiasts is right there with you and it's why the low octane spark table exists in the first place. Gm only puts recommend on the door... not required.

This question gets asked fairly frequently and there are a bunch of forum users that run 87 in their 6.2 trucks too.

I just rolled past the card lock and some woman just finished filling her brand new Sierra AT4 with 87... 6.2 callout badges on it. It's rare I ever see someone fill a 6.2 powered anything with premium beyond myself.

Edited August 22, 2019 by SierraHD17

kennerz · August 23, 2019

13 hours ago, SierraHD17 said:

It's all ignition timing.. I don't think anyone has dynoed a 6.2 without premium so it's going to be hard. You will lose 10 or more degrees of advance during knock events on one though... and that can be 40 or 50 hp or more... If you never push the pedal hard you won't notice much difference from a 4.3 V6 truck either.

Exactly. Have to have a numb but meter to miss that much HP. Believe you leave a bunch of throttle response on the table too..

kennerz · August 23, 2019

8 hours ago, ForumUser said:

On regular, mine seriously hauls butt ... hut the rev limiter real quick.

I’m thinking i would prefer to save the $300 a year (12k miles at 20 mpg).

Yeah, well if your getting 20mpg on 87 you would be getting 22 mpg on 91, and have more power.

KARNUT · August 23, 2019

This whole discussion is mind boggling to me. The packages you have to buy to get the 6.2 and skimp on fuel, doesn’t make sense to me. The same people probably buy bottle water at a gas station for a buck, instead of a case for 3 at Walmart. Or Starbucks coffee. Get the 5.3, on reg gas there’s probably not that much difference in performance.

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Darksky · August 23, 2019

Kennerz summed it up very well. “Good fuel is the best Mod”. Well said, man.

You believe your truck “hauls butt” and runs well on bunk fuel, as I said before, “It’s your truck, have at it.”

If you ever have an opportunity to ride in (much less drive) one of these trucks with just an intake/exhaust and a tune. I recommend that you do. Hearing that V8 sing and feeling the power going to the wheels is a joy. I can’t explain that experience to the uninitiated. But, It’s why the majority of us drive them and are here enjoying this forum, sharing our experiences and learning the intricacies of these vehicles.

You’ve had many members explain how detonation control works and how timing affects performance. People with varied levels of expertise and experience, from mooks like me to actual subject matter experts.

You’re firmly entrenched in your position. Good for you. It’s your truck, have at it.

My truck makes me happy, it’s a simple pleasure that I enjoy almost daily. I modify it to make it better suit me. I enjoy the process of upgrading it. I relish reading about the brethren here and their experiences. When one of them finds a way to wring an additional smile out of his truck, a little part of me celebrates and I plan on emulating their “gains”, be it horsepower or a new interior light. Not everyone gets that and that’s fine.

I couldn’t agree with KarNut more. I too, find your position mind boggling, as I imagine you find mine. Enjoy your extra $300.

Edited August 23, 2019 by Darksky

diyer2 · August 23, 2019

This type of thread always makes me shake my head.

The OP is set on his way of doing things but asks for opinions.

Why?

I've wasted enough time.

ForumUser · August 23, 2019

Actually, I’ve been asking if others are using regular exclusively, looking to determine if there are negative side effects.

To the mileage difference point ... yeah, if there was a 10% difference in mileage, I might consider premium ... anyone had this experience? I mean, actually tested multiple tanks over time, etc? I’m assuming the results would vary by city vs highway driving, but might be instructive.

And, I also shake my head when others mistake questions and the process of obtaining information as being hard headed or inexperienced ... simply because I don’t immediately accept their positions.

BTW, I don’t find anyone’s position on this sort of stuff mind boggling ... sometimes they're smarter than me, sometimes their experiences are simply different, and sometimes we’re inevitably talking about different subtleties in the topic.

aseibel · August 23, 2019

FACT: The manual clearly states that 93 octane is RECOMMENDED for the 6.2. Nowhere does it ever state the word "required".

Therefore, its up to you. You can buy cheaper gas a leave a few horses untapped. Your very slight MPG loss will be less than your $ savings at the pump. (meaning: buying 93 will not increase your MPG enough to justify the extra 20% fuel cost)

If you aren't racing the truck or towing heavy loads, it probably makes little difference. You're just hitting a nerve with all the 6.2 owners who bought their truck so they could brag about how fast it is.

A lot of people do mods that others think are silly too. If you are happy, then don't worry about people on a forum.

ForumUser · August 23, 2019

aseibel,

Thanks ... I think you got the point of my questions ...

I'm cool with modifications and may do so to my Silverado when out of warranty ... several interesting discussions ongoing wrt the AFM (advantages and disadvantages - mine BTW has been flawless to date and certainly improves MPG) and clearly GM didn't do themselves any favors with the 8 speed transmission design/fluid modification issue. This transmission scenario and their lack of early response to owners' angst has cost them quite a bit of business - a shame, since it could have been handled differently with great marketing results.

Anyway - like my Silverado, like the fuel mileage, like the flexibility of regular or premium fuel options, like the ride and towing power.

Just bumped into an article on 2020 6.6L direct injected engine without AFM/DFM (supposedly because so many owners don't like) ... GM still trying ... we'll see if the direct injection offsets the AFM/DFM savings.