402Sam

I keep hearing about this toluene you can get from sherwin williams paint store. Supposely it is 110 octone. You need to get a Marvel mystery oil with it or it will eat your fuel lines. All the supra guys run this around here. I am goin to try it this weekend. Just wanted to know if anyone else has tried it.

USA Muscle

Don't really think it does anything for the octane but I've used it before as a very good fuel system cleaner - that's mainly what it is - a strong disolving cleaner. I won't keep in my fuel system but just to clean it out.

Sweet98

I heard of people using it before they go take emissions tests

90 droptop

I used it with my GN. Lets you run lots of boost. Do a search on it...

kumar75150

There is no point to using it unless you are running forced induction or more than 11:1 compression.

Dont waste your time.

C5inWV

I used it with a carbureted Camaro 383. It made a difference on that car. I've used the highest octane I could find at local tracks (in the Vette) and it didn't seem to make any difference. Fuel injection is more efficient than the Holley 750 double pumper.
Toluene used to be sold as an octane booster in the "B12 Chemtool" line of products. It was better than "104+." They pulled it off the shelves in many places because kids "huff" it to get high.
By the way, the toluene made the Camaro faster up to a point. All the boosters I used eventually melted the catalytic converter (which had been left in place for state inspection.) Once the converter was shot, it lead to a series of problems and poor driving until I figured out the problem. I wouldn't add too much to the tank if you still have the cats.
:)

402Sam

No kitties here so that is not an issue, if its not worth my time and money then I wont do it.

KorbenDallas

It worked on my '81 vette that had a 383 with a 750 double pumper on it. I've read on the forum that it does little for C5's; for that matter neither does octane booster (which is what toluene is).

2ndVette

I would disagree. Toluene is about 114 octane and does raise the octane rating of your gas and is quite effective. Do your own research and you will discover it's benefits.

SFVetteman

I'm not sure but if I remember correctly, the main ingredient in the octane boosters that you see in the stores is toluene.

Richin Chicago

It is 114 octane and is easy to figure how much to add to boost octane.
See: http://www.elektro.com/~audi/audi/toluene.html

Flintstone

I use it all summer. You can use Toluene or Xylene, depending on what is available and what is cheaper.

If used in reasonable quantities, it is not eating any fuel lines, ruining your cats or otherwise. Most fuels already contain toluene as an octane enhancer, and all you are doing is raising that percentage.

It makes a huge difference in my performance, and lets me get away with running without an intercooler in the Dallas heat.

Expensive as crap at SW though - $7 - 9 depending on location. You have to buy it in BULK :crazy: , and do your best not to inhale, nasty nasty stuff

F

kumar75150

Not needed on a low compression NA engine.

2000^C5

Yes I use it and it seems to help my pinging problems in the heat a bit.

boblackhardtop

Assuming you need more octane than what's available at the pump, you can use Toluene at NO MORE than 20% mixture w/ pump gas.
Toluene is preferable to Zylene because pure Zylene is prohibitively expensive. The off the shelf/ hardware store Zylene contains impurities that you don't want in your car.

Black$heep

I work for the airlines. We use it all the time to activate glues and remove glued panels. It is like MEK but is doesn't evapoarte as fast. Tough stuff keep off skin. It is very rough on plastics and rubber, so be carful. :eek: :thumbs:

frick

Generally, the Ace Hardware and True Value hardware places have Tolulene much less expensive that SW, SW is a good paint store but their solvent prices are generally higher that other places, currently 8.99 a gal in PA.

HIH