Fuel additive/octane boost question
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2004
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Interesting spread of responses. Thanks guys.
A friend of mine who is into the import scene (but not Fast and the Furious ricer crap), suggested it to me. Being a flight sim freak, I recalled post war testing the USAAF did of the Japanese Ki-84 (the "Frank") and the claim generally bandied about that the higher performance was from higher octane US fuel. However, the counter is always that higher octane won't help unless you do something to take advantage of it - rasing compression, upping boost, whatever.
He then pointed out that they weren't dealing with modern, PCM controlled EFI engines and that the PCM would make use of the higher octane. Seemed to make sense. At least on a certain level. So I just wanted to see what people here thought or experienced.
A friend of mine who is into the import scene (but not Fast and the Furious ricer crap), suggested it to me. Being a flight sim freak, I recalled post war testing the USAAF did of the Japanese Ki-84 (the "Frank") and the claim generally bandied about that the higher performance was from higher octane US fuel. However, the counter is always that higher octane won't help unless you do something to take advantage of it - rasing compression, upping boost, whatever.
He then pointed out that they weren't dealing with modern, PCM controlled EFI engines and that the PCM would make use of the higher octane. Seemed to make sense. At least on a certain level. So I just wanted to see what people here thought or experienced.
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On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
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higher octane fuels burn slower
they are more resistant to detonation.
the ONLY reason you would want to run higher octane is if you are getting knock or running forced induction/nitrous.
you want to run the lowest octane possible without detonation for peak power.
they are more resistant to detonation.
the ONLY reason you would want to run higher octane is if you are getting knock or running forced induction/nitrous.
you want to run the lowest octane possible without detonation for peak power.
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its a waste of time and money! no bother putting it in, if you want higher octane then go by some 100 from the airport. i know mine around here sells it there either that or c18? cant remember but call an airport up near you and ask
i have never bought any, but i know quite a few people that buy there on a regular basis! or you could even look for a speed shop around ya. they sell higher octane fuel as well
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Tinsel Town, USA
100 Octane is available from certain Union 76 stations, cost about $6 a gallon.
Octane additive discussed below:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=torco
Octane additive discussed below:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=torco
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I haven't ever noticed much of a difference on hi-compression 60's motors from using octance boosters. On my LS1, I've noticed a boost in octane when using BG 44K or BG Supercharge fuel system cleaners with the crappy 91 we get around here. They contain naptha and other petroleum distillates that raise octane as they do their cleaning work - but they are not advertised as octane boosters. You can feel the effects of the computer moving the timing curve forward if you've been having KR.
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 175
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Octane does not enhance HP or performance. Octane slows down the burning of the air-fuel mixture and, consequently, is an antidote to knocking.
There is more energy potential in lower octane fuel. However, if one has knocking issues, higher octance will help since it will prevent knock and timing retard.
There is more energy potential in lower octane fuel. However, if one has knocking issues, higher octance will help since it will prevent knock and timing retard.
for everybody saying higher octane made their car run like ****- well try leaning the car out and adding timing with that higher octane. you should gain.
i used to use toulene/xylene in my DSM. do a yahoo search, grand national/turbo buick guys have been using that **** for years. no smell and you can get right around 100octane UNLEADED out of it.
you can buy it at sherwin williams or any paint store (it is like STRONG *** paint thinner). it is also not harmful to the car if you read the directions on one of the faq's about it. you cannot go over 1/3 toulene/regular gas mixture and you should add a certain oil to your gas to help with lubrication.
put toulene/xylene in the tank, crank the boost, and get 0* kr... + nobody has any idea (racegas is obvious because of the smell).
93 octane is more than enough for my n/a ls1 though.
i used to use toulene/xylene in my DSM. do a yahoo search, grand national/turbo buick guys have been using that **** for years. no smell and you can get right around 100octane UNLEADED out of it.
you can buy it at sherwin williams or any paint store (it is like STRONG *** paint thinner). it is also not harmful to the car if you read the directions on one of the faq's about it. you cannot go over 1/3 toulene/regular gas mixture and you should add a certain oil to your gas to help with lubrication.
put toulene/xylene in the tank, crank the boost, and get 0* kr... + nobody has any idea (racegas is obvious because of the smell).
93 octane is more than enough for my n/a ls1 though.
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Originally Posted by sleeperstyle
for everybody saying higher octane made their car run like ****- well try leaning the car out and adding timing with that higher octane. you should gain.
i used to use toulene/xylene in my DSM. do a yahoo search, grand national/turbo buick guys have been using that **** for years. no smell and you can get right around 100octane UNLEADED out of it.
you can buy it at sherwin williams or any paint store (it is like STRONG *** paint thinner). it is also not harmful to the car if you read the directions on one of the faq's about it. you cannot go over 1/3 toulene/regular gas mixture and you should add a certain oil to your gas to help with lubrication.
put toulene/xylene in the tank, crank the boost, and get 0* kr... + nobody has any idea (racegas is obvious because of the smell).
you can buy it at sherwin williams or any paint store (it is like STRONG *** paint thinner). it is also not harmful to the car if you read the directions on one of the faq's about it. you cannot go over 1/3 toulene/regular gas mixture and you should add a certain oil to your gas to help with lubrication.
put toulene/xylene in the tank, crank the boost, and get 0* kr... + nobody has any idea (racegas is obvious because of the smell).
93 octane is more than enough for my n/a ls1 though.
Octane doesn't make it "slower burning" . What the additive and other chemicals that are used to make for a higher Octane fuel do is raise the Flash Point at which the fuel will begin to burn.
Most Octane Boosters really don't help any. I've tried a bunch but haven't seen any positive results from using it.
If you run Leaded fuel that can make horse power because of the Higher BTU content of the "tet" ( don't ask me to spell it out. It freaking long). The lead additives have a higher flash point but a more volitile burn so they make more power per part.
Most Octane Boosters really don't help any. I've tried a bunch but haven't seen any positive results from using it.
If you run Leaded fuel that can make horse power because of the Higher BTU content of the "tet" ( don't ask me to spell it out. It freaking long). The lead additives have a higher flash point but a more volitile burn so they make more power per part.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,234
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From: Mississauga, Ontario
Originally Posted by HPP
Do any of you guys use the add in octane boost? Does it do anything? If yes and yes, which would you recommend? (I always put 97 gas in)