Octane Booster or High Octane
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 102
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From: Los Angeles
Octane Booster or High Octane
Just out of curiosity, anyone of you guys use any Octane Boosters? Any actual benefits or draw back from it? Can I run it on a stock engine? Also, can I fill up a few gallons of 100 octane on a stock engine? Are there any risks?
Corvette Enthusiast
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From: So. Cal.
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I always just run 91 octane on my stock motor. It seems happy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
To do what exactly? Are you having octane issues? So it boosts the octane to 100. Pretty cool. If your ignition map is set for 91, what do you think 100 octane will do? Can you run it on a stock engine or fill up a few gallons of 100 octane to raise the octane? Absolutely. Could it make you feel like you got more power? Definitely. Would it be real power or just placebo? My money is on placebo unless you are having issues with detonation. Are you?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 478
From: Maryland, USA
Cant go wrong with NOS octane booster according to its description
"NOS performance for the serious enthusiast. Developed to increase octane effect up to 60 points or 6 full octane numbers. Blended with MMT and performance-enhancing Powertane, along with Nitro Methane and unique lubricants specially developed for high-performance engines.
Blended with MMT and performance enhancing Powertane, along with nitro methane and unique lubricants specially developed for high performance engines
Improves gas mileage, eliminates knocks, pings and hesitation
Protects against carbon deposits in the fuel injectors and combustion chamber"
"NOS performance for the serious enthusiast. Developed to increase octane effect up to 60 points or 6 full octane numbers. Blended with MMT and performance-enhancing Powertane, along with Nitro Methane and unique lubricants specially developed for high-performance engines.
Blended with MMT and performance enhancing Powertane, along with nitro methane and unique lubricants specially developed for high performance engines
Improves gas mileage, eliminates knocks, pings and hesitation
Protects against carbon deposits in the fuel injectors and combustion chamber"
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
It can't unless you're art to take advantage of higher octane, which, if you are stock and not having detonation problems, you can't.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 954
Likes: 377
From: Louisiana
Unleaded 100 octane will be fine, just cost you $7-$8 per gallon. Unless you are driving on track you probably won't need the knock protection from long durations of WOT.
Leaded 100 or 110 will slowly clog the catalyst if you still have one.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 954
Likes: 377
From: Louisiana
I haven't had issues before, but oxygen sensors are a wear item. They are cheaper and easier than catalytic converter replacement in my mind. My 100 and 110 use has been for extra knock protection on track. I don't use it when street driving.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I toss the upstream ones after 5 years so I agree it is a wear item. That said, I believe someone said it coats the sensor and shortens the life.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 771
Likes: 136
From: Vacaville Ca
Just remember if you use any type of octane booster that it does not contain MMT ( methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl ) because this is what kills your
oxygen sensors and your catalytic converters and puts a yellow coating on the spark plugs. I believe it is also stated in your owners manual under Prohibited Fuels.
Here in Calif we have only 91 and seems to run ok in my 19 ZR1 but it runs a hole lot better when I add a octane booster to my fuel !
oxygen sensors and your catalytic converters and puts a yellow coating on the spark plugs. I believe it is also stated in your owners manual under Prohibited Fuels.
Here in Calif we have only 91 and seems to run ok in my 19 ZR1 but it runs a hole lot better when I add a octane booster to my fuel !
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I would spend my money wisely on a scanner to see if it is necessary first instead of the butt dyno. But if someone must spend money on "Dr Feelgood" stuff, maybe send it to a worthwile cause, mine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 771
Likes: 136
From: Vacaville Ca
The LT5 in the ZR1 comes with a different tune over the LT1 and LT4. That's why when I stated when I boost my fuel to 93 it's peppier city driving. On the track
or drag strip runs very strong when boosted to 95-97 Just my $.02 !
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
On the LT5 you do not have to be in WOT for the engine to pull timing it does so to prevent engine knock. It does this to prevent damage but performance is affected. Heat and throttle input are also contributing factors. There are gains to be had even with the Calif 91 octane even with a stock tune by boosting it to 93 which would allow a bit more timing on the factory tune
The LT5 in the ZR1 comes with a different tune over the LT1 and LT4. That's why when I stated when I boost my fuel to 93 it's peppier city driving. On the track
or drag strip runs very strong when boosted to 95-97 Just my $.02 !
The LT5 in the ZR1 comes with a different tune over the LT1 and LT4. That's why when I stated when I boost my fuel to 93 it's peppier city driving. On the track
or drag strip runs very strong when boosted to 95-97 Just my $.02 !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 771
Likes: 136
From: Vacaville Ca
and then to WOT it still showed timing still being pulled but no knock. I did notice that the fuel trim was very high (rich) during the run but figured it was because
of the tune in the LT5 which has both port fuel injection and direct injection and not the boosted fuel .
Note; when I had the first oil change done at 500 miles (2019) there was a code that the knock sensor was bad so they changed it.
The strange thing was there was never a CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ! Go figure !
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
With spirited driving my butt meter can really feel the difference between our 91 vs boosted to 94-95. On the dyno under under heavy throttle
and then to WOT it still showed timing still being pulled but no knock. I did notice that the fuel trim was very high (rich) during the run but figured it was because
of the tune in the LT5 which has both port fuel injection and direct injection and not the boosted fuel .
Note; when I had the first oil change done at 500 miles (2019) there was a code that the knock sensor was bad so they changed it.
The strange thing was there was never a CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ! Go figure !
and then to WOT it still showed timing still being pulled but no knock. I did notice that the fuel trim was very high (rich) during the run but figured it was because
of the tune in the LT5 which has both port fuel injection and direct injection and not the boosted fuel .
Note; when I had the first oil change done at 500 miles (2019) there was a code that the knock sensor was bad so they changed it.
The strange thing was there was never a CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ! Go figure !
Maybe there is a not confirmed issue which is why you don't get the light?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 771
Likes: 136
From: Vacaville Ca
Talking to a tech the other day about sensors he mentioned that some of them if they are intermittent will not turn on the
light if they just hiccup but usually the code will be stored in history . He did suggest that once in a while to put my scanner on it
and check for codes and running data especially just before any track event.