Michael_D

I'm looking for real world experience and the science / theory supporting these products. I know Torco works. I've seen the results. Not sure about Klotz, or the NOS brand. I know 104 doesn't work worth a crap. I've been told Lucas Oil has a product that doesn't actually raise octane, but somehow or other, reduces the fuel's propensity to detonate.

What's the downside to using some of these products? Do they still screw with O2 sensors and / or Cats??

Tired of fighting my wonderful 90 octane premium fuel. Hell, even my truck with the direct injected 6.2 is pulling all kinds of spark. I've already done the 'drum of race fuel in the garage thing' already, and I'm not interested in that anymore.

I figured I'd get a case or two of one the products that actually works, and start fussing my spark tables. See real world effects. I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into though, prior to totally screwing something up.....

Unreal

Been using Torco for years. Leaves an orange build up on plugs. Never ran it with cats so can't comment on that. Never had an issue with o2 sensors.

The only other one I've heard that works good is the new VP stuff.
http://www.jegs.com/p/VP-Racing-Fuel...42852/10002/-1

Basically the same thing as Torco.

I always kept a 6 pack of Torco in the garage, and when I knew I was going to be racing/beating on it would just add 1/2 a bottle.

C5ZEE06

Looked into Meth injection ?

jp_tt_awd

Do you have any e85 local to you? I think a flex fuel conversion is next on my list. I feel your pain, the best we have out here in west texas is 91 octane.

-jp

Michael_D

Do not want to be screwing around with meth injection.

No E85 here, and if there was, I would not be using it.

I have the car tuned for this crap fuel. But, I don't drive it that much, so adding booster each tank won't be that much of a burden. I just want to know what I may be getting myself into.

I guess Royal Purple also makes one that supposedly works.

FSTFRC

I use Torco whenever I'm racing all day, like to bump up the octane a little. Like Unreal said it does leave a orange build up on the plugs. A friend used it in his 88 Twin Turbo Callaway, was working on the car, found some of that orange build up on his turbo fins, nothing to be worried about it was just their.

Michael_D

So what causes the discoloration of the plugs? Orange, like in "rust" orange?

Da Z06

I used Torco on my old Turbo Mustang. Was good to o/a 18 PSI @ low 800RW. Ran a can on each of my fill ups. Never let me down.

1 can per 10 gallons was my ratio.

Unreal

The it MMT, the additive is that boost octane. Leaves a orange color after it is burned.

Dan_the_C5_Man

No free lunch, but then you already knew that..

Check out this article - shows the deposits and a clogged CAT for good measure. I believe it is also abrasive and companies add a lubricant in the mix to help combat that.

http://www.theicct.org/sites/default..._ICCT_2004.pdf

Here is an excerpt;

Automakers have been concerned about the impact of MMT on vehicle emissions since MMT
was first marketed as a primary antiknock additive. Since the late 1970s there have been more
than 30 SAE technical papers published on MMT use in automobiles. Research and anecdotal
evidence have described increased HC and particle emissions, spark plug fouling, catalyst
plugging, and impairment of OBD systems with the use of MMT fuel. In Canada, MMT has
been blamed for higher warranty costs (Ghitter and Kenny 1997) and there have been customer
complaints of blocked and ineffective catalysts (Schindler 2004). In South Africa and China, use
of MMT has lead to emissions deterioration and spark plug fouling (Schindler 2004). Figure 2
shows a plugged catalytic converter in China, after 20,000 miles of use with MMT fuel.

I won't use it, not for any longer than a track-day's worth of miles anyway.

There is another company (I mentioned it to you before an email I believe) that seems to have taken a different approach, and if it works, is promising - I will re-dig up that link, post it in this thread.

Nowanker

I saw an internet blurb a while back about blending your own race fuel using toluene. Not saying it's even remotely a good idea, but 100unleaded REEKS of the stuff...

MTPZ06

I used to use octane boosters on a turbo vehicle I had back in the 90's, and I never liked how the orange residue covered literally everything...turbine housing, exhaust impeller, down pipe, O2 sensor, etc. Always figured it was not good for smog related components over time...O2 sensors, cats. But I also ran a test pipe in that car quite often, and a single wire O2 wasn't that expensive to replace now and again. On my C6Z however, I'd be hesitant to run the stuff.

I've read lots of guys over the years using this stuff to cheat sniffer tests on CA smog checks (obsolete now).

XLR8-R

Some good info here, especially posts 13 and 14:https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...he-market.html

I have used the Lucas with some success. I believe it contains mmt also and it definitely leaves the orange residue....

Nowanker

Did a quick Google on "DIY race gas". Lots of back and forth, but some misinformation about the health risks.
From a PHD chemist friend: "Out of all the aromatic hydrocarbons (he named off several, including Benzene), Toluene might be the worst. Your liver has an affinity for it, and picks it out of your bloodsteam. But it has no means to get rid of it, so it builds up with every exposure, and it IS toxic."
I'd still try it, but buying race gas is pretty convenient here.

Jon B.

What about this stuff?

http://race-gas.com/

olddragger

Toulene
R+M/2...114
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.2 Octane
20%...96.4 Octane
30%...98.6 Octane
this is something I did for a number of years while running boosted cars.
xylene can be used also. But be careful--it burns slower so more heat will be going toward the exhaust valve etc.
more info coming---at work

olddragger

The ONLY things that I found to work was Torco, , water methanol system ( which is not hard to set up), or toluene/xylene.
it is going to be a royal pain the buttocks to use additives on a daily basis.
The torco mix will not harm sensors or converters --least it never harmed mine, but then again I only used it for when I was on the track. Not DD.
Toluene and xylene have become harder to get and much more expensive than 10 years ago. Thanks to the methamphetamine makers.
imho water meth injection with a single nozzle, load demanded is the easiest system for most. Plus it has some extra benefits.

Dan_the_C5_Man

Torco is using MMT, like 98.5% of everyone else. Any additive that uses MMT WILL reduce knock, but then you get the negative side effects that come with MMT in the bargain.

Dan_the_C5_Man

Yet another MMT variant.

Dan_the_C5_Man

I found the link I mentioned..

http://bndautomotive.com/aces-formul...oline-formula/

Someone try this stuff out, let us know if it works!