Just wondering if anyone has used octane boost additives? I've heard mixed reviews on using this sort of product, but does anyone have any feedback/1st hand experience on how well it works, doesnt work, etc.?

Obviously race gas is the best, however, the only place that used to carry it around my neck of the woods, no longer does.

 

Over the counter Octane boosters are worthless. They raise Octane very minimally and can have detrimental effects. I have used Toluene with some success. You can search this forum for more info on octane boosters and Toluene.

 

When it says 7 ponits boost...it means .7....so, not even 1.

 

just beware of highly possible catalytic convertor damage using tolune. interestingly there was a test in a euro car magazine that showed toluene to have neglible effects on octane at various quanties all the way up to A LOT. they had two octane boosters in the test (one legal and one not) which both well outperformed the toluene.

 

Did a search and came across the link.

Very interesting reading. I might have to give it a try afterall.

For those that care...here's the link.

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/audi/toluene.html

 

If you guys want, I can go verify this today. I did some runs last night on straight 91, and timing was being pulled quite a bit. I can add a gallon of Toluene and do another log, and I wager timing will be signifigantly better. Toluene has a rated octane of 114 - in my experience, it does quite a bit. I've never heard of the catalytic problem, but it's a moot point for me

 

If you want to SAFELY raise octane, do it with unleaded race gas cut with premium pump gas. Many octane boosters contain lead -BAD!!! Regarding toluene, it's a heavy duty solvent and there is no guarantee there will be no damage to fuel lines, cats ect. I can guarantee Porsche would decline warranty work if it was found that toluene was being used or some other octane boost.

 

And what is gasoline itself, a mineral bath?

"Mindful of the evil reputation of octane boosters in general, toluene is a very safe choice because it is one of the main octane boosters used by oil companies in producing ordinary gasoline of all grades. Thus if toluene is indeed harmful to your engine as feared, your engine would have disintegrated long, long ago since ordinary pump gasoline can contain as much as 50% aromatic hydrocarbons.

Toluene is a pure hydrocarbon (C7H8). i.e. it contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms. It belongs to a particular category of hydrocarbons called aromatic hydrocarbons. Complete combustion of toluene yields CO2 and H2O. This fact ensures that the entire emission control system such as the catalyst and oxygen sensor of your car is unaffected. There are no metallic compounds (lead, magnesium etc), no nitro compounds and no oxygen atoms in toluene. It is made up of exactly the same ingredients as ordinary gasoline. In fact it is one of the main ingredients of gasoline."

If anything, Porsche should extend your warranty if you use Toluene, as your engine would probably be happier, especially if you live in California.

 

let me know your results.

 

Most gasoline contains toluene. I don't see how it can foul a convertor.

 

I'll most likely post tonight, or this weekend...

 

Just because toluene is a hydrocarbon solvent like gasoline... doesn't not mean that it behaves the same as gas when it's in contact with rubber/plastic - hoses/lines. Perhaps you need to brush up on your chemistry...
Toluene may not affect some mfg's lines and it may degrade others. Your blanket statment that toluene is safe is irresponsible. It may be for your car...show me some documentation that it is safe for Porsche fuel systems...

 

Just goto Sunoco, they have 94

 

This is where I buy my 100 Octane from - Sunoco. Check the locator link.

http://www.racegas.com/

You need to disconnect both leads of your battery for 30 seconds, touch the NEGATIVE terminal to the body, then reconnect both. This resets the computer and will give you maximum effect of the upgraded fuel. Otherwise the computer averages in the difference.





Sorry Cali guys - I just realized your granola lovin', liberal state doesn't have 100 octane available Sorry,.... I really do love your state!

 

Actually we do - 76 has VP racing 100 at two locations in the South Bay ;-)