Homemade octane boost

[92GTS-T]

Do you guys have any experience with homemade octane boost? I've seen a few different formulas online, I'm wondering which ones work best with our cars? I am unable to get anything above 91 octane here, the only Sunoco(94) closed down last year. Some of the stuff recommended doesn't seem right to me, ie: Isopropyl Alcohol, Butyl and Xylene???? :-?

[Insta_AxE_Toast]

Me personally I would just head down to the track and buy some race fuel and mix that in(yes this will get expensive). If you are running stock boost ... I wouldn't bother and I would just run the 91.

[J-Ran]

a cap full of nail polish remover.

[Skym]

From what I understand the benefits of high octane fuel is advancing the ignition timing without knocking.

The only octane booster I've seen results of, that works is Martini octane booster. The hp gains from engine are amazing with a PowerFC + more ignition timing and the knock count is lower.

This article below is a different article to the one I have seen, but has similar power gains with Martini octane booster and Martini racing fuel -

http://www.motoractive.com.au/articles/AS_boostjuice_pg114-116_asm41.pdf

[bignate]

Dont run race gas unless your car is catless and you LOVE changing your O2 sensor on regular basis. Mixing Toluene with your gas can boost the octane rating. Best to read up on it, but honestly 91 will be fine.

[92GTS-T]

I'm just worried the ecu I picked up won't run right unless it gets at least 94. (Mines stage 3) I've been surfing quite a few frums lately on the subject and it seems quite a few guys in SRT-4's,WRX's and Ford Lightnings all run at a 10% toluene mix in every tank with great results and no bad side effects. A few of them have been running it for years on the same motor! Here's a few of the formulas althogh a gallon of toluene per tank seems to be the safest.


FORMULA 1
Toulene
R+M/2...114
Cost...$2.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.2 Octane
20%...96.4 Octane
30%...98.6 Octane
Notes: Common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, I.e. from 92 to 92.3. Often costs $3-5 for 12-16 ounces, when it can be purchased for less than $3/gal at chemical supply houses or paint stores.

FORMULA 2
Xylene
R+M/2...117
Cost...$2.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.5 Octane
20%...97.0 Octane
30%...99.5 Octane
Notes: Similar to Toulene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, I.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toulene and advertised as *race formula*.

FORMULA 3
Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
R+M/2...118
Cost...$3.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.6 Octane
20%...97.2 Octane
30%...99.8 Octane
Notes: Oxygenate. Very common in octane booster products. Has lower BTU content than toulene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn better and produce more energy.

FORMULA 4
Methanol or Ethanol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60 - $1.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...Not Recommended
Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol. Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol in 10% ratios. Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios. Main ingredient in "Gas Dryers", combines with water.

FORMULA 5
Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60-$1.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.5 Octane
20%...Not Recommended


On a plus note I found a small gas station 20min out of town that sells 94!!

[falcon]

Do you guys have any experience with homemade octane boost? I've seen a few different formulas online, I'm wondering which ones work best with our cars? I am unable to get anything above 91 octane here, the only Sunoco(94) closed down last year. Some of the stuff recommended doesn't seem right to me, ie: Isopropyl Alcohol, Butyl and Xylene???? :-?

you have a gts-t. don't worry about running 94.

[ARC240]

My RB20DET likes Shell 91 V-Power a lot better than Sunoco 94 or anything else for that matter. It seems to have a misfire issue (probably due to the fact that they add a decent amount of ethanol) with 94. Even at full boost, high RPM, I never get a misfire using the 91 like I do using the Sunoco 94. You don't need to use 94, I have a Blitz Access ECU and it runs better than ever.

[bignate]

My RB20DET likes Shell 91 V-Power a lot better than Sunoco 94 or anything else for that matter. It seems to have a misfire issue (probably due to the fact that they add a decent amount of ethanol) with 94. Even at full boost, high RPM, I never get a misfire using the 91 like I do using the Sunoco 94. You don't need to use 94, I have a Blitz Access ECU and it runs better than ever.

I too have found my car runs better on Shell 91 than Sunoco 94. Very likely due to the ethanol. I've always been impressed with Shell fuels, even their 87 seems to run better in my truck.

[mcfly]

don't use xylene, it eats rubber hoses.

You dont need 94. You could even run 87 and let the ecu solve the problem, car just wont run too hot.

[bignate]

don't use xylene, it eats rubber hoses.

You dont need 94. You could even run 87 and let the ecu solve the problem, car just wont run too hot.

Probly too late by the time the ecu learns the gas. Dont the Mines ECU's advance timing on knock rather than doing the logical thing and retarding it? I thought I read that somewhere.

[Skym]

They could copy the main maps (ignition, fuel) to knock maps (ignition, fuel) thus eliminate the knock maps. You can do that when using car on a racetrack.

Normally stock ECU switches between main maps (high octane fuel) and knock maps (low octane fuel). With higher octane fuel, stock ECU would stay on main maps due to no knock.

[92GTS-T]

So basically I should try runing Shell 91 with my new ECU and see what happens. If I get a little knock or some pre-detonation, then what would be my safest route?

[bignate]

So basically I should try runing Shell 91 with my new ECU and see what happens. If I get a little knock or some pre-detonation, then what would be my safest route?

not running a mines tune

[love_boost]

im in the same boat with my mines ecu also lol