Jjagg0125

What is the best fuel additive to raise octane. Thinking about running some for a half mile event to make sure there isn't any detonation... thoughts?

AzDave47

Torco works fine for running events like that. I have an HCI setup with .030 shaved off the heads and tuned for crap 91 octane gas and I either mix 100 octane unleaded in or use Torco, not for any added power but for detonation protection.

RichieRichZ06

Just be careful with fuel additives because we've seen several cars with cat converters that require replacement from whatever octane boost additive many of these brands use. It leaves a orange colored tint to everything the fuel and exhaust touches.

Jjagg0125

Exactly I have .030 milled as well on my HC setup. Purely for safety from detonation. I am catless anyways luckily. My buddy bought torco rice fuels and it became competition race fuels but he sold it a couple years back. How is the VP stuff

Unreal

Torco, boostane, etc.

I would prefer to just add 5 gallons of MS109 or a high quality fuel.

Jjagg0125

That was my other thought was to just put in some fuel

TXGS507

I too am running some milled .030 heads, VR Kaotic cam w supporting mods... tuned for 93 & Torco... I'll throw a can in with a full tank... ZERO detonation while data logging,

Mike's LS3

Hey Rich, Torco claims it is an unleaded blend and will not harm catalytic converters or 02 sensors. In the past, I have used a few cans of the Torco additive which left an orange tint on the spark plugs. Are we talking about this particular additive that your customers have used and experienced cat replacement? I don't want to drive over to Abel to replace my catalytic converters.

GettnBetter

Silly question. Detonation is irrelant

z06_ryan

Jjagg0125

Please explain....

TXGS507

Yes,,,, enlighten us please...

RyanT

I’m guessing he’s trolling. He made some pretty retarded comments in a valve dropping thread.

TXGS507

I saw that.... Just giving him an opportunity to clarify... I am sure he won't and if he does it will most likely be inference.

encasedmetal

most octane boosters have been found to do diddly. I would recommend running race gas or a blend. Most races have a fuel sponsor and you can buy a 5 gal. on site.

Nowanker

Michael D ran some comparisons awhile back. Not exactly testing octane per se, but his ability to tune without overly retarded timing. Alaskan premium fuel is only 90 octane? And I thought CA gas was sh*t.
Search out his thread on the topic, it's a worthwhile read.

AHP

I was never a fan and generally very skeptical of any additives. I've had reasonable access to race fuel, so never needed to do my own experimentation. That said, I've recently watched/read many reviews and tests on Boostane and it appears to be legit. I'm going to test it out for the sake of curiosity. It's relatively inexpensive and hell, you can order it on Amazon and have it delivered to your door vs. the practical issues of acquiring race fuel.


As for the discoloration on spark plugs.. BFD.. I've run many hundreds of gallons of various race fuels leaded and unleaded and have seen all sorts of interesting colors left on plugs as a result. NEVER an issue.. Too many times assumption stands in the way of experience/progress.

nuke61

If by "most" you're talking about the additives that add a few points, you're right, and I agree that race gas is the best way to boost octane. However, if you're O.K. with the coating, the better boosters can increase octane by several numbers - as in 91 to 95 octane.

http://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tec...-adds-24-rwhp/

Jjagg0125

[quote=nuke61]If by "most" you're talking about the additives that add a few points, you're right, and I agree that race gas is the best way to boost octane. However, if you're O.K. with the coating, the better boosters can increase octane by several numbers - as in 91 to 95 octane.

http://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tec...-adds-24-rwhp/[/quote
Years ago I had a buddy who had a "stage 2" STI and he gained 20whp with tuning just by adding competition race fuels additive that his dad owned. Same day same dyno within a hr apart of the previous dyno run... being as they sold the company I don't have access to it anymore 😕

HOXXOH

Don't over octane by more than what is needed to avoid detonation. If you're getting a little KR at WOT, only add enough race fuel or octane booster to bring the fuel remaining in your tank up 2-3 octane. Learn how to mix to avoid higher than needed octane. If you're getting a lot of KR, you're either overbuilt for pump gas or the tune you're using.
Higher than 87 octane slows down the rate gasoline burns. Once you get past the point of no KR, any additional octane will reduce power.