Hi,

I need to order an 1835 cc engine and have options for compression ratios:

9.4:1 - 100 octane
8.1:1 - 92 octane
6.7:1 - 89 octane

I would prefer the higher compression ratio but I notice the EPA wants to 'get the lead out'. Understand, my old Cherokee 140 was designed to run on 80 octane but all I could buy was 100LL . . . all of the drawbacks of higher lead with no benefits from the higher octane. But all of this muddle about 100LL potentially going away doesn't help.

It looks like there are cylinder head inserts that can decrease the compression ratio. So my thinking is order the higher compression ratio engine and if 100LL goes the way of 80 octane, do a top-end overhaul and add the 'de-compression' rings.

Reasonable solution?

Bob Wilson