Octane Boosters?

[ZombieWeinerDog]

i usually use regular pump gas. when i do get midgrade or premium, i see an increase in preformance. there is also a very small engine knock when using regular. will octane booster help me? i dont have the cash to spend buying midgrade and premium every fill up. anyone have any experience?

[mikajo39]

This is probably the most potent octane booster i've used
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=8&loc=show

Lucas Octane booster

[69GMCLonghorn]

I'm confused... You don't have the money for mid grade or super, but you have money for octane booster?

Also, if you're not running a high HP engine, maybe there is an engine issue. Check your timing, do all the usual tune up stuff (plugs, points, dist cap, rotor, etc). All this stuff could possibly help the pinging. I'm just not sure what you're running engine-wise, so that's the best advice I can dig up.

[mikajo39]

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

I'm confused... You don't have the money for mid grade or super, but you have money for octane booster?

Also, if you're not running a high HP engine, maybe there is an engine issue. Check your timing, do all the usual tune up stuff (plugs, points, dist cap, rotor, etc). All this stuff could possibly help the pinging. I'm just not sure what you're running engine-wise, so that's the best advice I can dig up.

I agree I only keep some octane booster with me when I might be somewhere that has crap gas, Whats your compression ratio, check your total timing around 3000 rpm if you can, or possibly switch to a colder plug range if you still ping.

[prostreetC-10]

What's your timing at? Might be too much advanced and the super is trying to compensate. Octane boost is usually to help the older/high compression muscle car type motors or anything that has a high C/R. Most street engines will never "feel" a diff.....maybe in the mind only!

[69GMCLonghorn]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

What's your timing at? Might be too much advanced and the super is trying to compensate. Octane boost is usually to help the older/high compression muscle car type motors or anything that has a high C/R. Most street engines will never "feel" a diff.....maybe in the mind only!

I agree, with one addition... If you have an average engine that is worn out, Super can make a noticeable difference. I've experienced this on other vehicles.

However, I have to keep going back to what others have said (and myself), tune it up, tune it up, tune it up! Then see where you're at. Take away as many variables as possible and see where you're at.

[ZombieWeinerDog]

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

I agree, with one addition... If you have an average engine that is worn out, Super can make a noticeable difference. I've experienced this on other vehicles.

However, I have to keep going back to what others have said (and myself), tune it up, tune it up, tune it up! Then see where you're at. Take away as many variables as possible and see where you're at.

well its not worn out, newly rebuilt a month or two ago.

[killacheyenne]

what all is involved in a usual tune up...i think my motor needs one but im not real sure what all to do

[69GMCLonghorn]

If it's a stock motor, "my" version of a tune up would be to change out the plugs, distributor cap, rotor, points (if you're running them), and maybe the plug wires if they look like they're getting old or cracked.

You might also change out any fuel filters you might have, as well as the air filter.

Once that is done, you want to set your base timing and idle speed. Adjust your mixture screws on the carb... What else am I missing?... Basically just take this time to look over the engine and see if everything is up to snuff.

[Longhorn Man]

i dunno about up in Michigan, but here, 89 is pretty much always 10 cents more per gallon than 87. Same for 91, 10 cents more than 89. You are talking 2 dollars added per fill up (from empty) for each jump in fuel grade. that ain't jack.
The octain boosters are misleading. One bottle won't raise the octain rating of a tank by the two or 3 points it claims. I can't remember what it actually does, but the label is VERY misleading, boarderline bogus.
If your engine is tuned, and you hear spark knock, then you need the added octain.
If your engine is not tuned, and you can't figure how to tune it better, and you hear the spark knock, then you still need the octain.

Remember, even race gas, is cheaper than new pistons.

[neonlarry]

When they say an octane booster raises the octane 4 points that is about 0.4 octane boost so 5 bottles would boost the average tank of gas two (2) octane. much cheaper to spend .10¢ extra per gal.
If you really want to carry some octane booster go to the hardware store and get a gallon of toluene. That will raise 10 gal of gas two (2) octane.

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

If it's a stock motor, "my" version of a tune up would be to change out the plugs, distributor cap, rotor, points (if you're running them), and maybe the plug wires if they look like they're getting old or cracked.

You might also change out any fuel filters you might have, as well as the air filter.

Once that is done, you want to set your base timing and idle speed. Adjust your mixture screws on the carb... What else am I missing?... Basically just take this time to look over the engine and see if everything is up to snuff.

The only other thing I would add is, depending on your level of ability, throw a kit in whatever carb you have. If its a quad or an Edel, a quick rebuild can make a big difference. Make it last on the list though. This all depends on how much your truck drives/sits and other factors.

[mclairmo]

Pinging means detonation. I would use the premium gas all the time to make sure you are not putting holes in your pistons. Also, be sure the engine is tuned and timed correctly. Timing might be too advanced. Also, make sure engine is running nice and cool. Running hot will increase detonation. Run a factory fan shroud and use a factory clutch fan. Make sure water pump spins at the correct speed. Crank pulley should be larger than the water pump pulley to keep that coolant moving fast enough. Overdrive pulleys cause overheating. Make sure you have a large enough radiator that is nice and clean inside.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

neonlarry,

Is that one gallon of toluene added to a tank full to make the octane go up 2 octane? (On a 20 gallon tank).

I am glad that you brought it up about the points being a decimal and not a whole octane. I was taken in by the marketing ploy several years ago and was surprised when I added the booster with no results in reducing pinging!

Jim

[Pont406]

Did you try running without vacuum advance? All you might need is a little less vacuum advance when running low octane. Try it before getting dip into it.

[big mike71]

I always use premium it's a average of about 3.50 more a tank.

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by big mike71

I always use premium it's a average of about 3.50 more a tank.

Just using your post as an example, it may or may not apply to you.

If you use premium fuel, and the engine doesn't need it, then you are literally blowing money on something you don't need and has no benifit. Some engines will actually perform worse, pollute more, and get less MPG when too much octain is used.

Remember, octain levels measure the resistance to ignition. Has nothing to do with additives, or cleaner fuel.

[hwyix]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Just using your post as an example, it may or may not apply to you.

If you use premium fuel, and the engine doesn't need it, then you are literally blowing money on something you don't need and has no benifit. Some engines will actually perform worse, pollute more, and get less MPG when too much octain is used.

Remember, octain levels measure the resistance to ignition. Has nothing to do with additives, or cleaner fuel.

This is very true.

If your engine is not tuned to take advantage of the higher octane you might be doing more harm than good.

That being said at least here in CA I notice a big difference from the cheap gas Arco/no name gas station to the Chevron/76.

[85gmc2tone]

try this site first and read about octane boosters
http://www.rockettbrand.com/techsupp...bulletins.html

here is what i have used
NOS Octane Boost Racing Formula
NOS® Octane Booster Racing Formula
NOS® performance for the serious enthusiast. Developed to increase octane effect up to 7 points. Blended with MMT and our performance-enhancing Powertane, along with Nitromethane and unique lubricants specially developed for high performance engines.

Suggested Applications:
Recommended for racing combustion engines including carbureted, fuel injected, turbo and super charged. Excellent smoke suppressant for 2 stroke engines, Recommended for high-performance engines plus marine, industrial, lawn, farm and recreational. NOT recommended for use on diesel engines of any type.

[85gmc2tone]

heres booster reviews

volvospeed.com/Reviews/octane_boosters.htm

[prostreetC-10]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

If you use premium fuel, and the engine doesn't need it, then you are literally blowing money on something you don't need and has no benifit. .

I completely disagree!!! I use octane booster in my lawn mower and I can mow my lawn in half the time!!!

Good info. I wonder how much of that "104+ octane booster" was sold just because of the flame on the bottle?? Sure looks good on the shelf.

Course.....nothing will compare to the most marketable word of all time: BILLET

[ZombieWeinerDog]

well, the ping goes away when i put midgrade in

timing is set around 0

[neonlarry]

Originally Posted by JimKshortstep4x4

neonlarry,

Is that one gallon of toluene added to a tank full to make the octane go up 2 octane? (On a 20 gallon tank).

Jim

1 gal toluene / 10gal of gasoline or 10% toluene for 2 octane boost.

[prostreetC-10]

You have your timing at TDC???

That's zero

[ZombieWeinerDog]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

The only other thing I would add is, depending on your level of ability, throw a kit in whatever carb you have. If its a quad or an Edel, a quick rebuild can make a big difference. Make it last on the list though. This all depends on how much your truck drives/sits and other factors.

brand new carb