do these octane boosters improve mileage/performance at all? if so, are they worth the money?

 

I used the stuff made by NOS with the Nitro Methane in it(black box) in my Camaro. The Camaro seemed to like it. I could feel the difference. In my vette however, I feel no difference.

 

Generally speaking, the answer is simply, no. I have tried nearly every brand on the market with zilch for results. Those who state they got very good results from any of these octane booster products, most likely still believes in the Easter bunny and Santa Clause as well.

Some consumer product testing group did a comparitive analysis on some of these different brands and found none that actually lived up to their advertised claims and some actually made an existing case of pre-detonation worse.

The one I kept hearing about being so good was called "Outlaw Octane Booster". One can to 10 gallons of 91 oct gas did nothing. Neither did two cans. I quit after the third can and still had pre-ignition ping under load. After running the tank out, I refilled it with 15 gal 91 oct pump gas and 5 gal of 104 oct CamII racing fuel. Car ran like a scalded rabbit and absolutely no ping anytime.

Assuming your timing is set correctly, the vacuum advance is functioning properly and your pistons and cylinder heads are not carboned up, you should be able to run up to 10.5 compression without any concern about predetonation on standard pump premium.

For the price of two cans of any of that worthless octane booster, you could buy a gallon or more of high octane gas 100 to 110 octane, and be happier with the results in the long run.

Karl

 

how much does 100/110 octane race fuel run? $5/gal. ?

 

Yep...$5 gal. here.

 

For those in Central NC who are interested, 110 octane racing fuel is going for $3.89.9 per gal in Mebane. As the man says, a few gallons and it runs "like a scalded rabbit".

 

Is high octane gasoline (like Cam2) 110 okay for the catalytic converter? Bad for anything else? I'd like to try some... At what number can it start doing damage?

 

Around these parts, CamII gas comes in two grades; 104 oct and 110 oct. Both are leaded fuels. Over time, the use of leaded fuels, can cause problems with catalytic converters. Here in Des Moines, the 104 oct costs $3.79/gal. I do not recall the price of the 110 oct CamII.

There is also a 100 oct grade of Unleaded available in many parts of the country for around 3.29/gal, which will NOT harm catalytic converters. My experience is where you find the leaded CamII, you can also find the 100 oct Unleaded.

To dispel any misunderstandings on my comments here regarding this subject, I do not feel the owner of a stock 10.5 or lower compression needs to be concerned about using any fuel other than 91-94 oct premium pump gas, depending upon the elevation and part of the country you live in.

Those more "exotic" octane fuels are primarily intended for those who have modified their 'vettes with longer duration camshafts used in conjunction with higher than stock compression ratios. And of course those who desire to drag-race their 'vette, whether it be stock or not, the additional octane (as found in the 100 oct Unleaded), will cover any inadequacies in the fuel requirements of the engine which may be being compensated for by the on-board computer.

To run CamII or any higher than normal octane fuel just to drive around town is, in my honest opinion, a complete waste of time and money.

Karl


[Modified by MagikDraggin, 10:06 AM 8/2/2002]

 

I use NOS Otane boost. My car loves it. :cheers: The dyno showed no nock after useing it.


[Modified by VERTVETTE, 11:21 AM 8/2/2002]


[Modified by VERTVETTE, 11:21 AM 8/2/2002]

 

1/2 gallon of Tolouene and 10 gallons of Sunoco 93 increased my rwhp from 573 to 585. Go figure.

 

Quote:
"I use NOS Otane boost. My car loves it. The dyno showed no nock after using it."
________________________________________ __________________

Any you're suggesting that your car had a knock before using it? I'm glad to hear you're satisfied with it.

If this is the stuff in that bright dark blue can that looks something like a miniature NO2 cannister, I've tried it on my hopped up Fury and it didn't do a thing to suppress the knock. A couple gallons of hi-oct fuel however did stop it. And I got the benefit of traveling those extra mile on the gas, while I didn't get squat out of that half-pint can of additive.

I guess that's what makes the world go 'round. ;)

Karl

 

I have a friend who just bought a 67 chevelle with a 396. The motor was rebuilt at a machine shop that said it was necessary to use a product called liquid horse power. Has anyone ever heard of it, or have any opinions on it?