Benefits of running a lower compression ratio are that you can run higher boost levels, it goes hand in hand really tho, you either have

high compression

- low boost
low compression

- high boost

im taking extremes here, eg, 7:1 for a high pressure turbo engine, or 11:1 for NA engines, people take compression too far, with correct tuning once again anything is possible, I dont even know my compression ratiom id guess about 8.5:1-8.8:1 but it doesnt concern me, I run a stock rev 3 gasket, 0.8mm, I like thin headgasket, less chances of failure, and

(this is my assumption only) less chance of head warpage as there is less

"give" between the block and the head, its tight.

Of course, higher compression ratios will yield better off boost performance, But, again it depends what you want from your car drivability wise, and what kind of setup your going for.

Lets face it 95% of us on here are for street use, so anything 8:1 to 9:1 would be fine.

Someone who has a deeper knowledge of this may jump in and land some info, my point is simply compression is irrelevant with good tuning aslong as it isnt to the extreme

(compression wise)

Jeff: I run 23psi daily on pump gas

(its 98 octane apparently

- optimax) but if im driving hard i do put the water injection on, but the engine is tuned without it.

For peoples information water injection is not for cooling, it increases the intake charge humidity which is a detonation preventative.

Graeme