Octane Boosters
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,412
Likes: 763
From: Barrington IL
Octane Boosters
I was at the local cruise night and the subject of octane boosters came up. I heard a guy say that 104 octane boosters raise your octane by as much as 7 points. He said that if you have 93 octane and put the bottle in that you will have 100 octane. I find this very hard to believe. Is he right or am I? Thanks in advance.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Los Altos Hills Ca.
Re: Octane Boosters (SBR)
Ditto on the question. In Cal. I can only get 91 octane. It runs terrible in my 2001 and worse in the 1966. I wont use anything with lead in it in the 2001, but I have tried race gas in the 66 and it works great. But at $6.50/gallon, it wont go very far. Anybody had decent success with any of the cheap octane boosters in auto stores, regardless of the actual octane rating boost? In other words, is there any actual noticeable improvement in engine performance and/or driveability?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Re: Octane Boosters (SBR)
I use AVGAS, 100LL. I mix it 50/50 with premium. I have run 100% AVGAS also. I love it. I am not sure were you can drive your car to and buy it though. I purchase it in gas cans from my airport FBO or one of those small airports were you pay at the pump. I have also drove out to my local refinery with a couple of 55 gallon drums, price ther ewas $1.45. Bought enough for the summer. Avgas Smells really, really good. :) Of course the down side is farting around pumping into the car. I have a small hand pump, takes about 5 minutes.
I have had limited luck with octane boosters. 104 I have used, but never really had that much luck with it.
Mark
I have had limited luck with octane boosters. 104 I have used, but never really had that much luck with it.
Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 32
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Re: Octane Boosters (SBR)
Octane booster = BIG waste of money. These "seven points" might improve 91 to 91.7 but that's about it. Also, 104 leaves a rust deposit all over your upper cylinders. Pull a plug and you'll see it!
Best solution is racing fuel. At 112 octane, mix one gallon of racing fuel to two gallons of 91 unleaded and you'll be getting real octane of around 98-100. Experiment with the ratio and play with your car's timing to get the performance and result you want.
Other solution is Jack Podell's Real Lead. I have tried it twice and the results are OK but not as good as racing fuel.
Whatever you do, leave the Octane Booster sitting on the shelf collecting dust at the auto parts store.
Best solution is racing fuel. At 112 octane, mix one gallon of racing fuel to two gallons of 91 unleaded and you'll be getting real octane of around 98-100. Experiment with the ratio and play with your car's timing to get the performance and result you want.
Other solution is Jack Podell's Real Lead. I have tried it twice and the results are OK but not as good as racing fuel.
Whatever you do, leave the Octane Booster sitting on the shelf collecting dust at the auto parts store.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
Likes: 1
From: delmont pa
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Octane Boosters (SBR)
the chemicals in OB will eat the plating off of the inside of your carb float bowls and cause corrosion. i have seen this in the carbs i have rebuilt. mix av gas or race gas if you need higher octane. :chevy
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: virginia beach, va.
Re: Octane Boosters (clem zahrobsky)
my engine is 11:1 and i have ac. when i add lead the pinging stops. especially with the air on. the PADDOCK sells the same stuff as podell for less. 4 quarts $29.95. don't require 3 gallon minimum 800 428 4319
[Modified by 66c60, 1:08 PM 5/7/2002]
[Modified by 66c60, 1:08 PM 5/7/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Re: Octane Boosters (SBR)
I should add, my car is 11:1 as well, with the avgas mix, I bump my timming over 60 degrees. I have experimented with all settings and for my engine, it loves high octane and lots of timming. With the 100% AVGAS I enrichen the jets by two numbers each. With 50/50 I get the best results. Got real tired of buying racing fuel at near $7.00 a gallon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 32
From: New Smyrna Beach FL
Re: Octane Boosters (ghostrider20)
I tried to buy avgas but they said because it is not taxed for road use that they would not sell it to me. I pay 5.00/gallon for 112 leaded Sunoco. I can handle that for as little as I drive the car.
And, I agree with Clem re the damage caused by Octane Boosters. Forgot to mention that. So, please don't waste money on 104; it's not going to get you anywhere near what you want and it does more harm than good.
[Modified by 67435animal, 8:40 PM 5/7/2002]
And, I agree with Clem re the damage caused by Octane Boosters. Forgot to mention that. So, please don't waste money on 104; it's not going to get you anywhere near what you want and it does more harm than good.
[Modified by 67435animal, 8:40 PM 5/7/2002]
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Los Altos Hills Ca.
Re: Octane Boosters (Kid_Again)
Thanks for the advice. Will follow the advice...no octane booster for sure.
Will look for the lead additive. Until then, will use race gas mixture since I don't drive too many miles.
Mark
Will look for the lead additive. Until then, will use race gas mixture since I don't drive too many miles.
Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 2
From: The Garden Spot of the Garden State
Re: Octane Boosters (hot1corvette1)
...yeah, the advice on tel is sound...i would experiment with the amount that's needed by first adding half the labelled amount and running a tankful or two and see what happens - then add a bit more if you feel you need to
