Octan booster, Is it dangerous? Options

[Phr0z3n664]

I went and picked up some octane booster/fuel cleaner kit. I ran it w/ regular gas I noticed a slight difference in performance, it didn't hesitate throughout the gears, and got up to 60 slightly a bit quicker.

But my question is could this be harmful to my engine If I kept using it? my engine has 96,000 miles on it, and was only going to plan to use after every oil change.

So should I continue to use it or not?

[snadman]

No. The Octane Booster really is a Fuel system cleaner...and is a good idea to use every few tanks (or however often you can afford to put some in) on your old engine. It cleans everything in the fuel system, and that's what causes the performance boost.

[kuya1284]

Octane boosters don't work the way companies claim. If you purchased it thinking that your octane would be increased (i.e. from 92 to 104 with one bottle), that's no correct. 104+ Octane boost claims to increase the *points* by 5 to 7. This DOES NOT mean that if you use 92 gas, you're going to be running 98 to 100, respectively. What this DOES mean is that your octane will be increased to 93.5 to 93.7, respectively.

I hope this makes sense. In addition to what snadman said, they also help in controlling combustion, but that's about it.

[TRDDawg]

Which is the best 1 to use?

[GeEkBoY]

The best way to boost octane is with ethanol, octane rating of 106 (I think, E-85 is 105). Most other octane boosters are nasty compounds, ethanol is safer than gasoline. Only issue is with high levels of ethanol is some vehicles have chemical problems with certain rubber coupmounds in the fuel lines and injectors. Manufacturers allow up to 10% with no issues, so you could push it a little past that.

if you add 10% ethanol to 87 octane fuel, you would get 87*.9+106*.1 = 88.9

if you add 20% ethanol to 87 octane fuel, you would get 87*.8+106*.2 = 90.8

If you want to make it yourself, check here:
http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/

[kuya1284]

QUOTE (GeEkBoY @ Jul 10, 2003 - 5:53 PM)

The best way to boost octane is with ethanol, octane rating of 106 (I think, E-85 is 105). Most other octane boosters are nasty compounds, ethanol is safer than gasoline. Only issue is with high levels of ethanol is some vehicles have chemical problems with certain rubber coupmounds in the fuel lines and injectors. Manufacturers allow up to 10% with no issues, so you could push it a little past that. if you add 10% ethanol to 87 octane fuel, you would get 87*.9+106*.1 = 88.9 if you add 20% ethanol to 87 octane fuel, you would get 87*.8+106*.2 = 90.8 If you want to make it yourself, check here: http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/

I see no point to running ethanol.

Let me repeat...

Higher octane WILL NOT enhance performance... What it WILL DO is retard detonation from occurring. The only time you ever want to use higher octane gas is if you start to notice pinging/knocking OR if you're running a higher compression engine. Thus 87 octane, which is what our engines were designed to run on, will suffice. It doesn't hurt to use 91+, but if you want to save some money, just stick to 87.

[GeEkBoY]

Wasn't claiming ethanol will improve the power in a stock engine with no probs. It is great for high comp or turbo enginges though. I had an older car that I ran 5% ethanol in and it improved the idle, kept the plugs cleaner and gave me about a 5-10% increase in mileage.

[CelicaSX]

Hi ,

In Australia we're pretty lucky in that our regular fuel is 92RON & Premium is around RON98.

However there is a big noise going on about ethanol in fuel.

Some fuel suppliers are trialing 10% ethanol blend but it is at the owners risk as it has been claimed that ethonal damages some engines....

I think it is ok in EFI engines but read up on it before you use it....

[hioctane]

QUOTE (kuya1284 @ Jul 10, 2003 - 7:11 PM)

QUOTE (GeEkBoY @ Jul 10, 2003 - 5:53 PM) The best way to boost octane is with ethanol, octane rating of 106 (I think, E-85 is 105).  Most other octane boosters are nasty compounds, ethanol is safer than gasoline.  Only issue is with high levels of ethanol is some vehicles have chemical problems with certain rubber coupmounds in the fuel lines and injectors.  Manufacturers allow up to 10% with no issues, so you could push it a little past that. if you add 10% ethanol to 87 octane fuel, you would get 87*.9+106*.1 = 88.9 if you add 20% ethanol to 87 octane fuel, you would get 87*.8+106*.2 = 90.8 If you want to make it yourself, check here: http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/ I see no point to running ethanol. Let me repeat... Higher octane WILL NOT enhance performance... What it WILL DO is retard detonation from occurring. The only time you ever want to use higher octane gas is if you start to notice pinging/knocking OR if you're running a higher compression engine. Thus 87 octane, which is what our engines were designed to run on, will suffice. It doesn't hurt to use 91+, but if you want to save some money, just stick to 87.

kuya is right about the 92 not enhancing performance 'cause i've tried putting a tank full of 91 octane in my celica ST to see if it would make a difference, but it didn't. It actually made the car go slower and my exhaust system sounded weaker like it was stock . I guess it's because the miss detonoation/combustion that was occuring when I had 91 octane in my car that made the exhaust system sound weak. The fuel cleaner is what you would use whenever you do an oil change like every 7k miles.
89 and 91 gasoline are for cars turbo and luxury cars. HERE'S A LINK YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL: http://www.toyotacelicas.com/information/c...e/gasmyths.html

This post has been edited by hioctane: Jul 31, 2003 - 6:46 AM

[FallenHero]

What kind of fuel treatment do you guys use? As far as cleaners go...

Jon

[PlanetFuzz]

I recently used STP fuel injector cleaner and STP fuel system cleaner. The fuel injector cleaner is once every oil change and the system cleaner is once every 4,000 miles. I figure this is a good investment since it's cheap enough. STP is the best I think. They have alot of great fuel additives. Has anybody else used this kind?

[BlackSTX]

QUOTE (PlanetFuzz @ Jul 31, 2003 - 12:11 PM)

I recently used STP fuel injector cleaner and STP fuel system cleaner. The fuel injector cleaner is once every oil change and the system cleaner is once every 4,000 miles. I figure this is a good investment since it's cheap enough. STP is the best I think. They have alot of great fuel additives. Has anybody else used this kind?

I've had a bottle for like 2 years but haven't tried it yet. Do you think it's still okay to use?

[x_itchy_b_x]

The best booster is NOS Octane Booster, off-road formula Add 4-7 octane points boost (also contains nitromethane)
. its around 10 bucks.

[Striking4]

I'm glad a few people understand how octane really affects an engine. For everyone else here is a little info. I used to think that the higher the octane the better. Then I did some research. On a normally aspirated engine higher octane fuel can actually hinder the engines performance. Octane is a measure of how fast the fuel will combust. 87 octane fuel will combust faster than 92 octane fuel. Fuel companies put additives in there fuel to help keep engines clean. The more additives in the fuel, the higher the ocatane and the slower it will combust. So in a normally aspirated engine, using higher octane fuel is not only limiting your performance but also dinging you in the pocket a little.

The only time higher octane fuel is better is if you are running a turbo and your timing on your engine has been retarded. When these conditions are present, the higher octane (which burns slower) allows more air to enter the cylinders before combustion occurs.

I hope this helps a little bit. I am sure a lot of you are surprised to hear this, but do some research and you will see that I am right.