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anyone running octane booster?

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Old 09-23-02, 07:58 PM
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Question anyone running octane booster?

I recently started using some Turbo 108 octane booster. I'm not relying on the stuff, as I still only buy 93 or 94 octane gas, but figured it would offer bit more of a safety margin. It costs $5 and some change for a can at Pep Boys. One can is enough to treat 44 gallons of gas, so Its more than enough for 2 fill ups. Also, I'm running 16 psi at the most on pump gas. What do you guys think?
Old 09-24-02, 10:07 AM
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http://www.vtr.org/maintain/gasoline-octane.html

use xylene instead. it actualy will raise your octane. octane booster bought at pepboys is BS.
xylene is commonly used as a paint stripper. it can be had for about $7.00 for a gallon. do a google on it (xylene) or toluene.
Old 09-24-02, 07:36 PM
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Re: anyone running octane booster?

Originally posted by Silver93TT
I recently started using some Turbo 108 octane booster. I'm not relying on the stuff, as I still only buy 93 or 94 octane gas, but figured it would offer bit more of a safety margin. It costs $5 and some change for a can at Pep Boys. One can is enough to treat 44 gallons of gas, so Its more than enough for 2 fill ups. Also, I'm running 16 psi at the most on pump gas. What do you guys think?
I do when I tend to drive the car hard. I'am sure it doesn't raise it but a few points but it can save your ***.
Old 09-26-02, 12:03 AM
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if you are talking about pepboys booster. i doubt if it will save your *** or even your motor.
Old 09-26-02, 12:46 AM
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What affects does the xylene have on the rest of the fuel system and motor? Anything bad?
Old 09-26-02, 10:20 AM
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Originally posted by Silver93TT
What affects does the xylene have on the rest of the fuel system and motor? Anything bad?
i tried xylene a couple of weeks ago...dumped a gallon in after filling up with 10 gallons of 94. Xylene i think is 117 octane so it brought me up a point or so. so far no bad effects that i know of...everything seems normal.
Old 09-26-02, 10:56 AM
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Does it eat rubber and plastic? I know guys used to dump acetone years ago, but they had to do certain stuff to their carbs to keep them together.
Old 09-26-02, 11:41 AM
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It seams like it will eat paint. I don't know about rubber and plastic. By accident I spilled a little down the side of the car as I was pouring it in and it didn't look like it went to good with the paint. It made a streak that I could feel when I ran my hand over it. I immidiatley wiped it off and then hit it with some 3m fine cut compound. Luckily it all came out. I think it just attacked the zaino on my paint.
Old 09-27-02, 02:14 AM
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hey what ever happened to that 104 octane booster that came in a red bottle, that was the *****. I was shooting MAD flames, bumper caught on fire too, but it
was easy to put out hehe
Old 09-28-02, 10:51 PM
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I've run Toluene alot! It's cheaper to buy 100 octain avation gas or some 104 VP, I'm a painting contractor so toluene is $3.75 a gallon! where i can get 100 octain for $2.20 and not have to mix 93 into the car as well.

As far as it being safe? i've had no problems in the four years! 3 gallons of toluene and fill the tank with 93 your right around 98 octain if i remember correctly?
Old 09-28-02, 11:38 PM
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Sounds about right..I've run it for some time as well, mostly in my piston engine. I just purchased a single turbo so I have a feeling I'll be visiting Sherwin Williams for some Toluene sometime soon. Where do you get it at $3.75 a gallon?
Michel
Old 09-29-02, 01:55 AM
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Sherwin Williams!
Old 09-29-02, 06:28 AM
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M.A.B paint stores, and F&H aslo cary it cheap.
Old 09-29-02, 08:08 PM
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Ihor- Octane boosters claim an increase in 2-3 points. A point is 1/10 of an octane. I doubt octane booster would even be detectable when mixed with 93-94 octane. FYI, 94 octane is really 93 octane mixed with toluene at the refinery. I have been using xylene for a couple of years now with very good results.
Old 09-30-02, 12:37 PM
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Hey Josh, how much xylene do you use.
Old 09-30-02, 05:52 PM
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You are not supposed to go over a 10% mixture. I try to keep it just under 10% when I race. It's kind of ironic. The one time I decide to use real race gas (114) I experienced engine damage. I never blew a motor on xylene though.
Old 10-01-02, 10:07 AM
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So how much would 10% xylene raise the octane of 93 or 94 pump gas
Old 10-01-02, 10:38 AM
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if using 92 octane
Xylene final octane
5% 93.25
10% 94.5
15% 95.75
20% 97
25% 98.25
30% 99.5

Final octane = ((percentage of xylene*117)+(percentage 92 octane fuel*92))

you can figure it out from whatever the rating you started with. this ratting is determined by Ron/Mon system from the refinery i believe, not from chemical testing. i could be wrong, but read what it says at the pump about ron/mon...i think that is what the engines are called.. i have not read about it in a while.


you should definatly not use more than 20%. it leaves deposits when it burns. xylene has a rating of 117, but you can not run straight xylene

read up on it to learn more. actualy i am going to also to refresh my memory.
Old 10-01-02, 10:41 AM
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a 10% mixture of 94oct. will give you 96.30

and w/ 93 it will give you 95.4
Old 10-01-02, 11:19 AM
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is there a way to make 100 octane?
Old 10-01-02, 11:52 AM
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hmmm...yes
i could figure it out with the formula i posted. maybe this time you can.
try it. its fun.
Old 10-01-02, 12:18 PM
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Cause at the track they sell 100 octane unleaded. Its pretty expensive at $4.50 a gallon. I'd like to try to make my own to run on the street. I know xylene is pretty cheep.
Old 10-01-02, 05:24 PM
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I am not really sure how they make 100 octane fuel. For the amount of boost I have been running (<17psi) I have not seen the need to go above 96 octane. I think you may be better off trying to locate a small local airport to sell you some aviation fuel if you are trying to save some money. BTW, the cheapest I've found xylene is about $7 a gallon. If you really think about it, you are not even saving that much money by using it considering 116 race fuel goes for about $7 a gallon as well.
Old 10-01-02, 05:53 PM
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Is there a difference between the xylene and toluene?....and how much of each is needed for a tank full of 93oct?
Old 10-01-02, 06:43 PM
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toluene is 114 octane and xylene is 117. the gallon of xylene that i used says that of xylene that i bought says that xylene can be used anywhere toluene is needed...not that that i based my decision on that..they don't know that we use this stuff as "race fuel"


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