Octane Booster's--Do they really work?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Dallas Texas
Octane Booster's--Do they really work?
I'm just curious about the octane boosters that are sold to be added to a full take of gas. I poured one in the other day and I really felt like it added some "juice" to my '02 Z. Any dyno proof or other feedback on the topic? Can it harm the engine?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Boise
Well they do work but you need to add A LOT in order to get an boost in octane.
For example if 1 bottle says it boosts 10 points, well thats only 1 octane.
So you add one bottle to a full tank of 92 and now you have 93. So you pretty much need like 10 bottles to make a difference, and at that point you would be better off buying race gas.
For example if 1 bottle says it boosts 10 points, well thats only 1 octane.
So you add one bottle to a full tank of 92 and now you have 93. So you pretty much need like 10 bottles to make a difference, and at that point you would be better off buying race gas.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
Use the CF search function, using keywords "octane booster" and take your time reading hundreds of past posts. I just did it and there's plenty.
If you need more information, do an internet search using the same keywords. Find out what the ingredients are in most octane boosters. It's extremely flammable and may harm sensors, converters, etc aside from the extra expense.
Some elect to brew their own concoctions...it's your car to do with as you please.
You might also ask the question in the Drag Racing forum, Performance Results forum or Tuning forum for their advice.
The stuff you buy at AUTOZONE or CHECKER will not give you any significant improvements...probably not even one full point in octane increase. Then figure what that can is adding to the cost of your already $4.00 per gallon of premium fuel.
If you really want to use octane boosters that may actually show some improvements (for whatever reasons you feel the need), look at TORCO products, which are generally highly recommended. A single can is not inexpensive and a case is...well...
If you need more information, do an internet search using the same keywords. Find out what the ingredients are in most octane boosters. It's extremely flammable and may harm sensors, converters, etc aside from the extra expense.
Some elect to brew their own concoctions...it's your car to do with as you please.
You might also ask the question in the Drag Racing forum, Performance Results forum or Tuning forum for their advice.
The stuff you buy at AUTOZONE or CHECKER will not give you any significant improvements...probably not even one full point in octane increase. Then figure what that can is adding to the cost of your already $4.00 per gallon of premium fuel.
If you really want to use octane boosters that may actually show some improvements (for whatever reasons you feel the need), look at TORCO products, which are generally highly recommended. A single can is not inexpensive and a case is...well...
Last edited by hotwheels57; May 22, 2008 at 04:34 PM.
Race Director
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
A better fuel like a Chevron or a Shell with good cleaners will work better.
Octane boosters only add 1/10th of a point of octane. If you need to get higher that the 91 you need you have a few choices. Get some Shell 93 or race gas (100).
Second you can add some toluene (sp) or similar. You can add it by the gallon and cost less than a 8 ounce can of "octane booster".
Do a Google search for homemade boosters. Plenty of recipes out there.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
ok.. what about someone like me, whose state sees fit to not offer fuel any higher than 90 octane? I know that 90 probably isn't hurting anything despite 91 being recommended... but I hate hot having the right gasoline to begin with.
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Tampa Fl
Torco is considered more of a "Race Fuel Concentrate" as according to the company. Here's a table to show how to mix it and what the octane ratings come out to.
One Qrt of Torco mixed with 15 gallons of 93 = 100 octane
One Qrt of Torco mixed with 10 gallons of 93 = 103 octane
One Qrt of Torco mixed with 5 gallons of 93 = 107 octane
I used this on my Blown Cobra making 630RWHP for about a year. It does work! Making 18 lbs of Boost and Timing at 23*...I had not one issue! After I swapped blowers and started making 741 to the tires, I went to straight C16 just to be on the safe side. Hands down, Torco is the real deal.
Last edited by Hysteria; May 22, 2008 at 08:33 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
Now if you're FI then Torco will definitely help.
For me if I expect to do spirited driving I'll add 5 gals of 100 race fuel to 1/2 tank of 91.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Gas in Florida right now realy sucks. I am getting a lot of knock at WOT. Last time I put some gas in, I put $25 of 93 and $5 of Sunoco 110. No more knock.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 261
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From: Lehighton PA
No, it will not. As previously stated, most of the store bought stuff only boosts octane 1/10 of an octane. So adding that SuperAwesomeSpectacular!! Oktane Boozter! will only make your 91 octane fuel be 91.1 octane fuel.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 550
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From: Clermont Florida
i know jeremy clarkson of topgear did a test on similar products...i dont know if it was exactly octane booster, but it was a type of fuel additive to boost performance...the best one was STP and it was a 2% hp loss on the engine dyno...some products such as the NOS additive loss 6% on the engine dyno....
i wouldnt waste your money
i wouldnt waste your money
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Boise
So from 90->91.
Banned Scam/Spammer
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Los Angeles
I don't use these things. I use the gas they bring to the base, when I want some good gas I run Shell through it every now and then, but not that often.
