mmm, i guess it could. You wouldn't be able to advance timing much if any. If you have the money to spend on an H/C/I then i don't see why you wouldn't be able to step up to atleast mid-grade. I think you'd be fine in running an H/C/I w/ cheap gas as long as it doens't ping. Higher Octane doens't make you go faster, it burns slower and is a preventer of pinging.