Octane Booster

[williamsd123]

I was told that using octane booster is not good for your vehicle because of the lead thats used in the octane booster, i was told that it clogs up your catalytic converters...Is this true??

[slickster]

Don't know about that but that stuff burns hot so that it can burn of deposits and to much of it will burn valves

[fastblackmerc]

Yes, lead will clog the cats.

[SC Cheesehead]

I was told that using octane booster is not good for your vehicle because of the lead thats used in the octane booster, i was told that it clogs up your catalytic converters...Is this true??

Octane booster is a waste of money, and at best will boost the octane rating of your gas by a couple decimal points (as in going from 93 to like 93.14).

You want higher octane fuel, go to Sunoco and spring for their 105 racing gas.

[sailsmen]

Lucas works 2 bottles boost 10 gallons of 93 to ~99.

[williamsd123]

thanks for the replies.

[sailsmen]

see Lucas test by Volvo Club

[MOTOWN]

Stay away from that stuff unless you want to divorce your cats, and multiple sensors!

[MrBluGruv]

Octane booster is a waste of money, and at best will boost the octane rating of your gas by a couple decimal points (as in going from 93 to like 93.14).

Big +1

On the bottle, most of them, with the exception of the REAL stuff (like Lucas), they will tell you that it will boost your octane by 10 points, but that 10 points is roughly equal to one actual octane rating. So your 93 might make it to 94? If I remember correctly though, octane rating is an exponentially increasing curve though, so it would be more effective for 87 than 93? Don't quote me on that last part, I just seem to remember hearing it somewhere. Scour the net more for a better answer...

[99SVT]

Lucas, Torco and NOS race formula are about the only ones that work. I usually keep some handy on road trips if I get some bad gas out in the sticks. Other than occasional use I wouldn't rely on it, it has a bad habit of fouling plugs in short order.

[massacre]

Torco works but will turn your valves red.

True story.

[GreekGod]

It appears the Lucas is at best a Band-Aid (and probably very expensive?). 99% of octane boosters are snake oil. Like SC Cheesehead said, buy the racing gas if you need more octane, but beware if you still have your cats, because most of the race gas has lead in it. At the track, I had to ask, 'cause it didn't say on the pumps.

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[sailsmen]

Very simple just buy unleaded race gas.

[DOOM]

Very simple just buy unleaded race gas.

Yeah baby!!! :banana2:
http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad47/DOOMIE/dd6e3f70.jpg

http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad47/DOOMIE/031c5da0.jpg

[GreekGod]

That MTBE is nasty stuff...probably can't get the good VP in California and a few other states?

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[bigrocks85]

What suck's about Cali is 91 is the highest octane available. But I have seen a 76 gas station have 100 octane pump. I was think of trying it and came to my head how good will it work on my car no mods???

[Marauderjack]

What suck's about Cali is 91 is the highest octane available. But I have seen a 76 gas station have 100 octane pump. I was think of trying it and came to my head how good will it work on my car no mods???

Doubt you will see anything but your wallet getting lighter quicker!!:shake:

[bigrocks85]

Doubt you will see anything but your wallet getting lighter quicker!!:shake:

You do have a point $$$$
91 is at $3.89
100 is at $8.99

[RF Overlord]

91 is the recommended octane, so using anything higher will do nothing unless you have FI or a custom tune.

Also, as MrBluGruv pointed out, most OTC "octane boosters" in reality do little or nothing except boost the rate of lightening of your wallet.

[Marauderjack]

Octane boosters that really work have side effects unfortunately......TEL had very abrasive deposits!! I have one that works in a similar fashion to TEL but it has side effects as well......RED deposits on Pistons, heads, valves and plugs!!:cool: If you use to much you get too much deposited on plugs that leads to carbon tracking and MISFIRES!!:shake:

If you must have higher octane please pay the price for racing gas but I think most peoples needs are in their heads!!:rolleyes:

An engine that is set up to burn 91 octane will show no performance improvement with 94 or 100 octane fuel....in fact the 100 octane will probably degrade performance!!:eek:

[RF Overlord]

An engine that is set up to burn 91 octane will show no performance improvement with 94 or 100 octane fuel....in fact the 100 octane will probably degrade performance!!^^^what 'jack said^^^

[GreekGod]

TEL increases exhaust system corrosion. Not a problem with newer S/S system, but in cold climates, pipes used to rust out in 1 or 2 years.

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[SC Cheesehead]

TEL increases exhaust system corrosion. Not a problem with newer S/S system, but in cold climates, pipes used to rust out in 1 or 2 years.

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Oh yeah, I remember those days... :(

[jsignorelli]

Some "Octane boosters" may contain Butanol, which will damage certain plastic and rubber parts in the injectors. The lead metal additive kills the cats, and the butanol kills the fuel delivery system..... When I race the cars,(at the track) I use race fuel, not an additive.

[sailsmen]

There are a lot of if, ands or buts about octane booster.
One thing that has no "if, ands or buts" pre ignition will destroy any engine forged or "atomic proof".

When the piston is going up to compress the lower octane can pre ignite resulting in BOOM!

Not all race tracks sell unleaded fuel and some race tracks don't sell fuel. Not all gas stations have quality fuel. Race your car and you must have the proper octane ALL THE TIME.

[SC Cheesehead]

There are a lot of if, ands or buts about octane booster.
One thing that has no "if, ands or buts" pre ignition will destroy any engine forged or "atomic proof".

When the piston is going up to compress the lower octane can pre ignite resulting in BOOM!

Not all race tracks sell unleaded fuel and some race tracks don't sell fuel. Not all gas stations have quality fuel. Race your car and you must have the proper octane ALL THE TIME.

True, that.

[Marauderjack]

Race your car and you must have the proper octane ALL THE TIME.

Or a tune that allows the use of lower octane and pulls timing!!:beer:

[MrBluGruv]

Or a tune that allows the use of lower octane and pulls timing!!:beer:

The problem with that is it's always going to be reflexive, not proactive. :(

[jsignorelli]

The comment on Race fuel is so accurate. Not all tracks sell real "race fuel". It is usually not a problem at tracks that sponsor "National" events, as the sanctioning bodies insist on a full service track. If you race at an NHRA, IHRA, NMRA, NASCAR, or KART track you are usually safe. BUT... you have to ask before putting the fuel in the car. You don't want engine parts to leave the car faster than the car leaves the line...