question about Torco additive
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
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question about Torco additive
Notice many here us it. I've always thought that these additives weren't really effective, however, many here seem to support this one.
Anyone here against its use? Assuming that the car is set up to require higher octane fuel.
I've always used race fuel in my last car when it called for higher than pump octane. But if this stuff works I'd give it a go. That is, after any future mods are made.
Thanks all
Anyone here against its use? Assuming that the car is set up to require higher octane fuel.
I've always used race fuel in my last car when it called for higher than pump octane. But if this stuff works I'd give it a go. That is, after any future mods are made.
Thanks all
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
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From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
Torco is not like the cheap octane boosters you find at Pepboys. It is a real race fuel additive. Assuming you tune accordingly, you can and will get a power increase with it. However you would have to either constantly run it or retune everytime you don't...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,922
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From: Cheektowaga NY
St. Jude Donor '08
This thread covers alot of what your asking. Hope this helps.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1906302
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1906302
Last edited by Tony B4; Jan 14, 2008 at 09:53 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
I too used to mix in 100 octane fuel with every tank of gas. It became a bit of a hassle to track down or even carry 5 gallon jugs with me on long cruises.
Someone turned me onto Torco about 5 or 6 years ago, and I've been using it ever since. I started selling a little on the side a few years ago, but it is in no way a "real" source of income.
I do defend it, since I've had VERY good luck with it.
You will find far more vocal people against it then for it in this section. I don't really think that most of the negative talk is from direct use though. Octane boosters in general have gotten a bad rap for years, and Torco has been grouped in with them.
There are some folks that no far more about the properties of gas and combustion then me, I'm more of a driver!!
I can tell you this though, Torco allows the gas it's added to to produce a far more effecient burn.
All I know is that a Quart of Torco is a hell of a lot easier to carry around then a 5 gallon jug of 100 octane, and it does just as well for less money...
JB
Someone turned me onto Torco about 5 or 6 years ago, and I've been using it ever since. I started selling a little on the side a few years ago, but it is in no way a "real" source of income.
I do defend it, since I've had VERY good luck with it.
You will find far more vocal people against it then for it in this section. I don't really think that most of the negative talk is from direct use though. Octane boosters in general have gotten a bad rap for years, and Torco has been grouped in with them.
There are some folks that no far more about the properties of gas and combustion then me, I'm more of a driver!!
I can tell you this though, Torco allows the gas it's added to to produce a far more effecient burn.
All I know is that a Quart of Torco is a hell of a lot easier to carry around then a 5 gallon jug of 100 octane, and it does just as well for less money...
JB
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,749
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From: Valencia Ca
Torco is one of the few additives that actually delivers as promised.
Preferable would be the availability of the proper octane that meets the need - in lieu of that availability, Torco works well.
Charlie
Preferable would be the availability of the proper octane that meets the need - in lieu of that availability, Torco works well.
Charlie
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
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From: Short Hills, NJ
I could certainly see it being beneficial out West where one might be limited to 91 octane fuels at the pump.
We can still get 93 octane fuel here in the Northeast and combined with the talents of a skilled tuner (like Julio at Cartek) one might find less need for Torco.
We can still get 93 octane fuel here in the Northeast and combined with the talents of a skilled tuner (like Julio at Cartek) one might find less need for Torco.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Morgantown WV
I used it in my cobra with good luck. Though it does contain an oxidizing fuel additive that turns your plugs red, MMT I think it's called. When using it, I had to change my plugs more often because the cobra was real sensitive with spark plugs. Not sure how it'll affect a vette, but I think it's a good product, definitely not just another "octane booster".
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Race Director
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From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
We used to get 93 out here as well. It was when they went to 91, and a weak 91 at times, that I sought out higher octane for my Supercharged C5.
If one has Forced induction, or high compression, and really wants to up their octane, starting from 93, or even 94 gets you to around the 100 octane range with only one quart mixed in with about 9 gallons of gas.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
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From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
I used it in my cobra with good luck. Though it does contain an oxidizing fuel additive that turns your plugs red, MMT I think it's called. When using it, I had to change my plugs more often because the cobra was real sensitive with spark plugs. Not sure how it'll affect a vette, but I think it's a good product, definitely not just another "octane booster".
I've run it for years, and don't have to change plugs with any real increased frequency, even when the plugs got discolored.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,007
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From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I've never used it, but have heard both +'s and -'s. I while back someone posted a picture of the inside of an engine on a teardown after using Torco and it wasn't pretty at all. They were attributing it to the Torco (some kind of buildup on the pistons I believe). I don't know if it had any validity or not, maybe someone still has the picture to discuss. 
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,749
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From: Valencia Ca
Most of the US is on 91 so count your blessings. Furthermore, in applications where even 93 won't cut it, no skills in tuning other than removing timing or adding copious amounts of fuel are going to stop detonation. It's physics and chemistry at that point, not magic.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Cheektowaga NY
St. Jude Donor '08
I've never used it, but have heard both +'s and -'s. I while back someone posted a picture of the inside of an engine on a teardown after using Torco and it wasn't pretty at all. They were attributing it to the Torco (some kind of buildup on the pistons I believe). I don't know if it had any validity or not, maybe someone still has the picture to discuss.
Found them in this link.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1562238647
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 1
From: Eastern PA:ECS Paxton Novi 1500(676rwhp,585tq on stock engine),LG headers, 410's, Corsa Sports, ECS Alky Kit
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Hi Charley, I was the one that brought up the pictures (remembering it from a post a while back). I'm really sorry if I opened up a can of worms. That was not my intent. I don't know you or the guy that posted the pictures and in no way intended to disparrage Torco or its suppliers by bringing up the photos.
Please accept my apology if I unintentionally stirred the pot for you (again, Ive never used it and dont know much about it, hence the reason for my question). I think I accidently stepped into something with some history behind it that I wasn't aware of between you guys.
Please accept my apology if I unintentionally stirred the pot for you (again, Ive never used it and dont know much about it, hence the reason for my question). I think I accidently stepped into something with some history behind it that I wasn't aware of between you guys.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,749
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From: Valencia Ca
These are the picture you were talking about. I guess its from a Subaru.
Found them in this link.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1562238647
Found them in this link.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1562238647
I have a few questions for you...
Do you have first hand knowledge that this was Torco?
Do you have any idea how long this engine burned oil and coated the tops of the pistons and valve faces with the carbon that then allowed the chemical to adhere.
Do you have any links to a non-oil burner that has used Torco for any length of time?
Thanks for all the help
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 4
From: Cheektowaga NY
St. Jude Donor '08
That build up is carbon and on top of the carbon is the remnants of the chemical additive in whatever was used here.
I have a few questions for you...
Do you have first hand knowledge that this was Torco?
Do you have any idea how long this engine burned oil and coated the tops of the pistons and valve faces with the carbon that then allowed the chemical to adhere.
Do you have any links to a non-oil burner that has used Torco for any length of time?
Thanks for all the help
I have a few questions for you...
Do you have first hand knowledge that this was Torco?
Do you have any idea how long this engine burned oil and coated the tops of the pistons and valve faces with the carbon that then allowed the chemical to adhere.
Do you have any links to a non-oil burner that has used Torco for any length of time?
Thanks for all the help
I just posted a link to an open thread and pictures that were asked to be seen from that link.
If you read the whole thread in the link, maybe you can pm the guy who made this claim and ask him these questions.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Tony B4; Jan 15, 2008 at 01:43 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,749
Likes: 4
From: Valencia Ca
Thanks for all the help and expertise
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
I used it in my cobra with good luck. Though it does contain an oxidizing fuel additive that turns your plugs red, MMT I think it's called. When using it, I had to change my plugs more often because the cobra was real sensitive with spark plugs. Not sure how it'll affect a vette, but I think it's a good product, definitely not just another "octane booster".