I have searched this up and down the web. Everything from Google to Bing... I have found nothing on using it in a Cavalier like I have. I have found some information for bigger engines such as a Chevelle saying that the higher octane racing fuel actually took a little power away from their engine on the dyno as well as on the track. But figured I'd ask here.

I run a 2.2L Cavalier at a local dirt track. It's a 97 with some mods to the engine. We are limited to what we can do in the UCAR division but we do everything we can. The head has been shaved about 30 thousandths of an inch and maybe a cam or other little stuff like that. I bought this year's engine off of someone who has already won with it. Last year I ran a 95 Beretta that had similar modifications to the engine but not quite as extensive. The beretta seemed to run fine with standard 93 octane. My question is should I run anything higher? Is it even possible to push these engines to the point of NEEDING race fuel because of the compression ratio? I mean if the nicest street driven cars have way more horses than my race car and they run on 93 then why would I need to run anything higher?

I ask because I have heard both things at the track... But every thing I find online points toward 93 octane. What do you guys think? I have researched and researched and I still just keep thinking 93 will be fine... I have even heard some people say that they mix their fuels...

 

race fuel in a non high compression engine will actually slow you down. There is less latent heat energy in the fuel. Many high comp engines of today retard the ignition timing to stop detonation when low octane fuel is used. For your engine its a waste of money and you will run slower times.

 

That's pretty much what I was thinking as well. I can't see where any amount of mods that we can do to these engines could cause us to need such a high octane of fuel. We can't add a turbo or anything like that. We can't even run a cold air intake. Any mods we do have to be hidden because the cars are supposed to be bone stock... But of course to compete you can't run bone stock...

 

do what gm did for there cobalt racing program. Have the ecm programmed detuned when only dyno'ed and only 2 wheels are turning but when on the track and all wheels are turning a performance tune. The best cheaters win in racing.