Got a 1999 Camaro Z28 yesterday, got questions

[Eyelasers]

Hey all you Camaro LS1 gurus. I have never owned a modern day sports car and am going to learn as I go here.

1999 Z28 with the LS1 50,000 miles and it great unmolested shape. The dealer had one of their shop guys go fill it up with gas and I am sure they put in the 85 cheap gas. The car knocks hard when you are under heavy load, just driving like Miss Daisey not too bad. Could this be just from the gas? Are their problems with this engine that I did not find prior to purchase?

Thoughts??? I hate to take it back to the dealer and look like a jackass because their guy put in 85 octane gas if that is all it is. I could just add some octane booster and run that tank out. But do not want to wait if it has issues. Not sure how the engine could have anything wrong with it with only 50K miles.

Also,
The car is just bad *** for a 10 year old car what are some upgrades that I can do and what priority? It is pretty much going to be our cruiser car for me and my wife and it is the 6 speed car. Not looking to be the badest car in town just a nice runner with a little bit better than stock sound and I want to be able to smoke stock and semi stock Mustangs, got a couple buddies that have 05 Mustang GT's.

Anyway thanks for the help, I know there are some gear heads out that with these things for fire away!!!

 

[Transporter]

Dont feel bad about going back to the dealer and asking him about the knock.Might be an engine problem.

 

[Spud]

91+octane is a must...

 

[AndrettiDog]

91+octane is a must...

Really? For a low reving v-8 motor?

That was a great motor. Do an exhaust and I think there was a cold air intake that gave it good gains. If you want to get crazy you can do header and cam mods too. That car rattles a bit, but it rips.

 

[bunnyboy]

ls1tech.com

 

[wickman]

ls1tech.com

Either that or cz28.com

I am on cz28.com under the same user name. I don't have a Camaro any more so I usually hang out in the lounge. It is a good forum with lots of guys that are willing to help.

Any mods done to the car? With a CAI and good exhaust you should be able to take your Mustang buddies no problem.

91 octane needs to be run in your car. Due to the high compression ratio, you will get knocks on 85. The knock sensor should be able to handle it except when under heavy acceleration. I would top it off with 91 and drive it easy on that tank of gas.

 

[Eyelasers]

Thanks for the all the info and the webiste/forums.

Car is bone stock and looks like it is right off the showroom floor. So I have a clean slate to start with and such performance for a cheap price to start with.