okokok... Octane Boost???

Anyone know of a decent Octane Boost that isn't as expensive as rebuilding an engine to lower the compression ratio, lol. A bunch of comments have made me a little concerned that 93-94 octane may not be high enough, and I figure I'd try it to see how it responds.

If it matters (for those that don't know) '74 Mark IV 454, running approximately 11:1 compression... on pump gas.

Toluene. Do a google search for it as an octane booster and you should get tons of hits

If you look hard, there's usually a gas station around that sells higer octane gas at a reserved pump, usually 99 octane.

Dylan, there is, they do, but it's $5.00+ per gallon.

Morley, have you tried doing the toluene mix yourself? Seems there's some people that think it's a really bad idea. Seems like a not too bad of an idea to me, I don't have the FI / O2 sensors, etc to worry about... not sure if there is any downside for my application.

I'm thinking that at $5.00 / gallon for pump race fuel, it'll run me an extra $36+ to fill up. If the Toluene routine won't blwo up me maro, $30 or so will get me at least 5 tanks of ~ 100 octane. Or do I have that wrong? (Have an 18 gallon tank.) EDIT - Wrong... not 5 tanks... 1 tank.

Hmmm... after looking at that a bit and running some more numbers on it... I'm getting confused. It seems as though the Toluene boosts the ever-loving-shit out of performance, but really does not increase the octane much. 2:1 gas to Toluene mixture seems to not really have that much in cost savings because I'd be using 6 gallons of Tolene which is going ot cost the same $35 as the pump race fuel.

I'll probably try it, but what do you guys think?

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/audi/toluene.html
Toulene
R+M/2...114
Cost...$2.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.2 Octane
20%...96.4 Octane
30%...98.6 Octane

$10/gallon in a one gallon can at a hardware store, about $6/gallon in a 5 gallon can from a chemical supply or paint store, or $3/gallon in a 55 gallon drum from a chemical supply warehouse

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/audi/toluene.html
Toulene
R+M/2...114
Cost...$2.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.2 Octane
20%...96.4 Octane
30%...98.6 Octane

$10/gallon in a one gallon can at a hardware store, about $6/gallon in a 5 gallon can from a chemical supply or paint store, or $3/gallon in a 55 gallon drum from a chemical supply warehouse

I saw that, have you ever tried it, or know anyone that has? I imagine on a carbed, non computer setup there wouldn't be much of a downside.

I myself haven't tried it (I have owned FI cars since the demise of 100 octane gas) but I've known people that are "weekend warrior" racers that use it. If you read the whole thing it not only raises octane but it also combats detonation very well, which is really what you are after with your engine.

So let me get this straight...

From all the stuff I've read, I gathering that toluene raises the octane (by whatever amount) but the real benefit is the protection against detonation, which is not necessarily tied to the 10%, 20%, etc ratios of toluene to gas?

IE will a gallon of toluene in a 15 gallon tank have the effect I am looking for (detonaton resistance), or will I have to go with the full 10% - 20% blend?

we can get 102-octane petrol/gasoline at some petrol stations, 98 at just about every petrol station.

because we're awesome.

we can get 102-octane petrol/gasoline at some petrol stations, 98 at just about every petrol station.

because we're awesome.


AHEM... keep your foreign gasoline out of our american conversation. (I read somewhere that you guys don't use the R+M/2 formula. If you do, then I apologize in advance and am jealous, and curse the bastards for the misinformation! ... if you don't, then :p )

Are we having a tea party in Boston? :dunno:

NAAAAAHHHHHH. I'm buying 2-6 a beer if he's ever around. Besides... tea's for wussies. :lol: (Yeah Dylan, I knew what you meant :icon16: )

I did read that they use a different formula in Europe to rate their gas. Do they? :dunno:

2-6, clue us in, do you?

Jim,
I'd start with a 5% blend and take it for a drive on a hot day and see how it sounds. If it sounds good, romp on it a few times on your way home and when you get there if it still sounds good, pull the plugs and read them.
This should give you a pretty good indication if 5% will be enough. If it doesn't do it, try again with a 10% blend.

I'll try that.

What do you think about the toluene eating the rubber. etc out of the fuel lines, gaskets, etc??? Think it's likely or BS???

I'll try that.

What do you think about the toluene eating the rubber. etc out of the fuel lines, gaskets, etc??? Think it's likely or BS???
If you read the whole atricle I posted...its BS because that is what the makers of gas are using now to raise the octane. You are just looking to raise it a tad more.