[IHeartGroceries]

I want to share this interesting article with you guys, as it describes fairly simply what's involved in octane enhancement.

Octane Boosters Testing - Tech Review - European Car Magazine

It should be fairly obvious by now the importance of maintaining use of a high octane fuel in the MS6. Especially for us, because of how badly the car's motor deposits carbon, largely due to the emissions control functions, and of course because of the high compression ratio and high boost. Very high cylinder pressures.

I know alot of guys prefer to blend unleaded, high octane race gas with pump gas, which is the optimal method of increasing octane rating.

But, it's not easily available for some and it can be a hassle. You may note in the article that they have proven both store-bought, high quality octane enhancers, and home-brew blends using toulene and xylene (aromatics), are beneficial when trying to boost octane.

This process may come easier for those of you who live in areas where conventional gasolines are sold, which do not use oxygenate additives, like MTBE or ethanol. In reformulated gas where ethanol is used as an oxygenate, it is also used to enhance octane.

 

[TwoChevZs]

So fropm what I am reading i can only assume that the NOS brand actuallywoprks.

 

[djmarkian]

I thought they was placebo's lol...

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Yes, their study concluded the NOS brand yielded positive results. But the shit ain't cheap. If it's possible, mixing race fuel is a better alternative. And if you can source high quality aromatics like toulene or xylene for a fair price, they work great for home brews. You can find toulene and xylene at paint stores or at chemical houses. The key is to get as close to 100% purity as possible.

Anyway, I think the article is informative outside of just questioning octane boosters, so I thought I'd share.

 

[TwoChevZs]

I tried readin it all. Got most of it. Thought it said toulene wasn't that great. Can you mix leaded race fuel and unleaded gas. I've seen some people do it. Just not sure. The last thing I want to do is mess the car up.

 

[TwoChevZs]

Ok, I am back and re-read the part about the toulene not being good for high revving motors. I would figure ours aren't that high revving. I figure IIRC the NOS is about $10-$12 a bottle. And a 30% mixture of toulene would only give a 5 point increase in octane. I guess the question is, is it really worth it? I know race gas is crazy expensive. But does 2-5 octane really help?

 

[sbspeed]

I've run a can of Torco race fuel concentrate p/tank almost since day one - it makes a noticeable increase. It's kinda pricey but not too bad - you can usually find a case of 6 on ebay for $90

I found a commercial fuel co the other day - 104 unleaded $7.25 p/gal! - 110 leaded is $7.50

Anybody know if there are any special calculations for figuring out octane or is it just simple math ie: 91 + 104 = 195 / 2 = 97.5 for a 50:50 mix?

 

[yoichi]

Run Meth

 

[mick_estes]

I've run a can of Torco race fuel concentrate p/tank almost since day one - it makes a noticeable increase. It's kinda pricey but not too bad - you can usually find a case of 6 on ebay for $90

I found a commercial fuel co the other day - 104 unleaded $7.25 p/gal! - 110 leaded is $7.50

Anybody know if there are any special calculations for figuring out octane or is it just simple math ie: 91 + 104 = 195 / 2 = 97.5 for a 50:50 mix?

Your calc works for 50/50 mix. For other mix ratios, it's the weighted average: (gln of additive/total gln) x octane of additve + (gln of pump gas/total gln) x octane of pump gas where total gln = addtive + pump gas

Attached is a spreadsheet that I put together that will create mix chart depending on how much gas you have left in the tank. For example, I'm at quarter tank so how much race gas do I add to hit 93.

It's currently setup for mixing 100 and 109 with 91 pump gas but you can use any octane you want for both pump gas and additive.

Before I switched to Torco, I used to keep a print out of this in my armrest and would only add as much race gas as I needed. At $7/gln for 100 and $12 for 109, I was motivated to use only as much as needed.

Anyway, feel free to use it if it's helpful.

 

[XsillyputtyX]

Gasoline - Mixing Your Own Octane

i keep this pic in my phone for when i want to mix...

forgot to mention we only have 91oct here and not 93oct. and the "race gas" that is closest to me is 100oct....

 

[TwoChevZs]

So what if we use 93.

 

[shrink]

You can pour about 2.5-3.0G of toulene into 15 gallon of gas, swish it around really well will take a 91 up to a 96ish -- if you work in a chemistry lab this stuff is really cheap but you have to get the ratio's bang on or else it can cause issues.

I should note that if you decide to purchase toulene make sure you buy proper gloves and a proper mask -- it's a dangerous substance -- if you get some on your hands wash immediately for 2-3 minutes without soap - than soap after -- toulene absorbs through your skin very quickly

 

[dougefresh_]

You can pour about 2.5-3.0G of toulene into 15 gallon of gas, swish it around really well will take a 91 up to a 96ish -- if you work in a chemistry lab this stuff is really cheap but you have to get the ratio's bang on or else it can cause issues.

I should note that if you decide to purchase toulene make sure you buy proper gloves and a proper mask -- it's a dangerous substance -- if you get some on your hands wash immediately for 2-3 minutes without soap - than soap after -- toulene absorbs through your skin very quickly

lol, dude this sounds like working with benzene, or ethyl bromide, which I had to work with for 6 months in a lab. Ethyl bromide is a powerful neurotoxin we had to use making DNA gels, and had more skull and crossbones on the bottle than a pirate's ship. I was always super sketched out about working with it, and that was in a fume hood. Is toulene something that normally requires a fume hood? If so, I wouldn't get near it. I'm not even looking forward to mixing 100% methanol w/ water for my w/m kit. I will use gloves, and especially goggles, as I value my eyesight!

PS. Methanol will increase your octane rating a lot as someone mentioned.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

I've neglected this thread. It's been pretty productive though.
There's alot of different home-brew recipes out there. It's okay to experiment until you find one that works well for you. Don't forget a UCL.
A well executed WMI system is the best option, really. You get a multitude of other results, other than just enhancing octane.
Not the best option for those who don't have the desire to mod. But, it's the best for serious tuners.
Toluene is a volatile chemical, like most in the petrol industry.
....or.....painting?
Here's the MSDS: TOLUENE
Somebody else mentioned it already, but don't use the Toluene or Xylol sold at hardware stores. It is impure, and mixed with some other fillers. I think they're typically like 70 or 80 purity.
The good shit will come from a chem supply house, or sometimes paint supply shops.

 

[shrink]

Methanol is relatively safe to work with. Even if you inhale it...it won't really cause adverse effects unless you're inhaling and absorbing it on a regular basis. Wear gloves and use a proper mask in a ventilated area (e.g. bathroom with strong outward fan) and you'll be fine I work with some sort of methanol every day lol...you have no idea how much of this stuff ive inhaled ....

Ethyl bromide isn't that powerful. You would have to inhale it for prob. 15-20 minutes for it cause nervous system shock. However, if you inhale enough in a short period, you will feel sluggishyou're eyesight will falter etc..but it all depends on it's concentration right. I've always diluted it to a factor of 1000 ... i wouldn't be so worried about inhaling it as i would if you get it near water or another reactive substance...

Toulene is very very very toxic because as a general rule it is only useful in concentrated forms. A fumehood is recommended but i have proper chemical filtration mask ($40 + $15 filter replacements) and mix it in the bathroom with the fan turned on. Wipe down any counter tops & buckets with acetone after use. Before you take off your gloves rinse them with acetone & than with water. Easier...for anything above just consult your MSDS sheet.

lol, dude this sounds like working with benzene, or ethyl bromide, which I had to work with for 6 months in a lab. Ethyl bromide is a powerful neurotoxin we had to use making DNA gels, and had more skull and crossbones on the bottle than a pirate's ship. I was always super sketched out about working with it, and that was in a fume hood. Is toulene something that normally requires a fume hood? If so, I wouldn't get near it. I'm not even looking forward to mixing 100% methanol w/ water for my w/m kit. I will use gloves, and especially goggles, as I value my eyesight!

PS. Methanol will increase your octane rating a lot as someone mentioned.

 

[dougefresh_]

^Well, you're braver than me, lol. I always hated working with toxic chemicals and very strong acids. A few drops of fuming sulfuric acid spilled on your arm, and you'll be able to see through it to the other side in a couple minutes, haha. Sounds like you take all the necessary precautions though, and know what you're doing. Just be careful!

 

[IHeartGroceries]

Yeah. This guy didn't wear his face shield.

 

[XsillyputtyX]

because of groceries last post, im seriously laughing as i type this!

 

[dougefresh_]

LOL!! At least he remembered his hat.

 

[XsillyputtyX]

im still laughing...