I've used Lucas octane booster with success. It is based on the additive MMT and one 15 oz bottle can raise your octane level several points. Its a top rated brand. You could try a DIY method but its hard to determine the mix and results. Years back racers added Amyl Nitrate to their fuel but I believe that was to achieve more horsepower. All in all I see little value using chemicals that could damage your fuel injectors but the Lucas stuff should be safe.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I use to be able to purchase a quart can of octane booster for a few dollars and now a small bottle is $20.
It's just not for the Fiero but my motorcycle and lawn tractor. They run better with higher octane gas.
I'm not sure this is true but I've been told that the only difference between octane levels in gasoline is a small amount of low cost chemicals that are added to the main lot of gasoline. It's not like these formulations are that complex.
I consider these chemicals to be the yeast in a loaf a bread. I am looking to take something that's heavy, fat, and lazy, and just puff it up a little. I'm not trying to make my own jet fuel.
I use to be able to purchase a quart can of octane booster for a few dollars and now a small bottle is $20.
It's just not for the Fiero but my motorcycle and lawn tractor. They run better with higher octane gas.
I'm not sure this is true but I've been told that the only difference between octane levels in gasoline is a small amount of low cost chemicals that are added to the main lot of gasoline. It's not like these formulations are that complex.
I consider these chemicals to be the yeast in a loaf a bread. I am looking to take something that's heavy, fat, and lazy, and just puff it up a little. I'm not trying to make my own jet fuel.
I just purchased a case of 12 15 oz Lucas Octane Boosters for $75 shipped on Amazon. All you really need is one 15 oz bottle for a Fiero tank full of 12 gallons. of premium gasoline. That's about $6 per bottle and it works. Since I installed the intercooler, my engine really doesn't need it. I look at it as a safeguard when I slam that pedal all the way down to the floorboard.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
I used to mix 1 gallon of aviation fuel to 4 gallons of premium for my Harley in the 70's when the feds were screwing with our gas. Worked great but no idea what the octane rating was.
Originally posted by reinhart: Any reason you need distilled water vs tap water?
I don't want the water nozzles to get clogged with mineral deposits.
quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero: I consider these chemicals to be the yeast in a loaf a bread. I am looking to take something that's heavy, fat, and lazy, and just puff it up a little. I'm not trying to make my own jet fuel.
The alcohols and aromatic hydrocarbons I mentioned do not significantly increase octane if lightly spritzed on the fuel. These liquids are high-octane fuels themselves, and must be used in "large quantity" to have an effect on the mixed fuel.
80s F1 cars burned fuel that contained 85% toluene.
By how many octane numbers do you wish to increase your fuel? What fuel are you starting with?
quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero: I'm not sure this is true but I've been told that the only difference between octane levels in gasoline is a small amount of low cost chemicals that are added to the main lot of gasoline. It's not like these formulations are that complex.
Well TEL (tetraethyl lead) was the most famous of these additives that could be added in small amounts and give a large octane boost, but refineries don't use TEL anymore.
MMT as Dennis mentioned can be added in small amounts and have an effect.
How safe is it to handle these organic additives that contain metals? Do refineries add MMT?
I think that refineries are stuck adding aromatic hydrocarbons in large amounts when they need to make higher octane gasoline without ethanol. I don't think there's a free lunch anymore.
Are you sure that octane is the characteristic you want to increase, and not some other metric that correlates more with "They run better"?
My motorcycle at high rpms bogs, same as the lawn tractor, but not as noticeable. They both perform better with higher octane gas.
Seriously, I know nothing of gasoline chemistry outside I know to run higher octane and it makes a difference. I prefer it in my Fiero and small engines. But, its just expensive.
⚠️ Warning: TEL was Worse then Lead itself. DuPont Chambers Works in Pennsville Township NJ made that and still cleaning up the site. Also poison many workers. Because TEL, unlike raw Lead, goes thru Skin and more quickly lead poison anyone that handle it. IOW By the time you wash off your hands, TEL has gotten thru your skin. Is a Big Reason Why many know Do Not use Gasoline to clean or use as a solvent for any work.
Other "Octane Boosters" and Gas additives can have same problem or pollute/poison in other ways. Example: US and others EPA force Refiners to use MTBE to "Clean the Air" now Obama "ban" the stuff because Giant Water Pollution Problems. (Ignore Ethanol issue right now.) Literally a few drops in a large lake and you can't drink the water. Leaking Bulk Tanks and drivers spilling gas at Gas stations etc have polluted surface water and many Aquifers.
Acetone Toluene Xylene and many others are regulated under VOC and other pollution regs by EPA and more. In more places these solvents are hard or impossible to get and many Formulas of whatever have been change to reduce or eliminated them. If you get caught w/ large amounts, a State "EPA" can make huge legal problems in Criminal and/or Civil Courts. More so because 99+% DIYers don't Transport or Store it right to follow Fire and other codes/regs.
Then add many Octane Boosters and Cleaners can cause Fuel System and other problems for your car. Many Older GM and some other Fuel Injectors Hate many Fuel Additives you use including many commercial cleaners. Example: Many port injectors have coils in direct contact w/ fuel to cool them and many Aftermarket additives attacks the insulation.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Takes you back to the day when people thought that putting mothballs in the tank increased octane. It was proven that method actually can destroy an engine. Where is the evidence that these pills work and are safe to use? Appears to me to be a hoax
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: Takes you back to the day when people thought that putting mothballs in the tank increased octane. It was proven that method actually can destroy an engine. Where is the evidence that these pills work and are safe to use? Appears to me to be a hoax
Is and Was several types of Mothballs made more confusion. Not all are made of Naphthalene and ones that are often have other crap that could cause problems. Many are made of dichlorobenzene and output of burning is acid and other crap. All can kill the engine, cat, etc.
Originally posted by theogre: ⚠️ Warning: TEL was Worse then Lead itself. DuPont Chambers Works in Pennsville Township NJ made that and still cleaning up the site. Also poison many workers. Because TEL, unlike raw Lead, goes thru Skin and more quickly lead poison anyone that handle it. IOW By the time you wash off your hands, TEL has gotten thru your skin.
Metallic lead really isn't that bad.
I regularly do electronics soldering with Sn/Pb wire. The health concern there isn't the lead, it's the flux fumes.
Big difference between elemental metals and more soluble compounds containing them.
This is an interesting piece of research showing the use of acetone as a fuel additive. They conclude acetone does so increase engine performance and can function as a worthy fuel additive.
If anything, read the abstract but the research experiment was rigorous.
This is an interesting piece of research showing the use of acetone as a fuel additive. They conclude acetone does so increase engine performance and can function as a worthy fuel additive.
If anything, read the abstract but the research experiment was rigorous.
I do not doubt that Acetone will raise gasoline octane but to do so it may require a large amount. The article references a 10% mix and that would be 1.2 gallons about $15 worth. Acetone is not a cheap chemical and we don't know it it has the potential to damage the fuel pump or injectors.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 01-04-2022).]
I use a mix of 50% E85 and 50% Premium 93 in my SD4. Required a retune of the ECU, but took care of my knock issues. Works great since I can tune the ECU myself, but E85 is not widely available and I am worried my source might dry up.
It would be good to a have a cost friendly alternative.
Originally posted by edfiero: I use a mix of 50% E85 and 50% Premium 93 in my SD4. Required a retune of the ECU, but took care of my knock issues. Works great since I can tune the ECU myself, but E85 is not widely available and I am worried my source might dry up.
This isn't an options at all for most because E85 isn't available in many places and non "Flex Fuel" vehicles reprogram to use it has problems when can't get E85 or any other mix > E10.
GM et al sells "Flex Fuel" out the ass to get Federal CAFE points knowing most of them never seeing E85 or even E15. (E10 isn't going away because millions of vehicles even made now are damaged use E15 or higher. E15 is PR stunt by greenies to justify higher cost to force "Flex Fuel" vehicles in places can't get E85 for many reasons to help pushing the Corn Con.)
Ignoring Cost... Most can't get Denatured Ethanol/alcohol > 98.x% in large amounts either. Everclear and Most "Laboratory-Grade" products are only 95% max. You need super pure ethanol to mix w/ gas. Even if could get, most will store poorly and let Ethanol draw water from air and be useless as won't mix.
Now the cost... W/o E85 fake low price per gallon/litter, 95%/190poof Denatured alcohol can cost big time. $20+ per litter to $400-500 per 55gal Drum plus often Shipping at HAZMAT rates.
Then add more cost and equipment to get more water out to reach 98.x% to mix w/ gas.
E15 damages engines? maybe on black helicopters. LOL
that's news to me, I use it almost exclusively in my Subaru (98K miles) and Toyota (266K miles), use it quite often in my Vette , the only vehicles I don't put it in is my Fiero and '82 Kawasaki but that's primarily because they see so little use
I often find E15 at around 15 cents a gallon cheaper, and a few times at 20 or more, few people use it so when they do those price jumps they often leave the price of E15 alone to get rid of it the corn belt politicians want more market for their corn, and the MFG'ers tests show the extra 5% has no effect, not even on performance since most modern engines can adjust the timing to the octane of the gas used
you do know "regular" gas is 10% alcohol? an extra 5% is of little significance
having said that, if the OP wants higher octane rating, just use premium gas, why fart around with additives that will cost you more and you have no idea what the octane rating will be or the effect on your engine
E15 damages engines? maybe on black helicopters. LOL
that's news to me, I use it almost exclusively in my Subaru (98K miles) and Toyota (266K miles), use it quite often in my Vette , the only vehicles I don't put it in is my Fiero and '82 Kawasaki but that's primarily because they see so little use
I often find E15 at around 15 cents a gallon cheaper, and a few times at 20 or more, few people use it so when they do those price jumps they often leave the price of E15 alone to get rid of it the corn belt politicians want more market for their corn, and the MFG'ers tests show the extra 5% has no effect, not even on performance since most modern engines can adjust the timing to the octane of the gas used
you do know "regular" gas is 10% alcohol? an extra 5% is of little significance
having said that, if the OP wants higher octane rating, just use premium gas, why fart around with additives that will cost you more and you have no idea what the octane rating will be or the effect on your engine
More alcohol = leaner burn. Only flex fuel vehicles would adjust the fueling accordingly. E85 is not 85% gasoline but 85% alcohol. It is high octane but you will need to be running very rich to avoid engine damage.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
So much really to consider with fuel especially how much sulphur content suspended matter and what octane fuel has to begin with. Even the highest octane fuels need to have low sulphur and particle content to be of an improvement. I know that i can buy a higher octane fuel eg 98RON but it will have a higher particle content of about 50ppm where eg USA can buy a lower octane but a much cleaner 10ppm. Don't waste your money until you feel you understand as much as the car manufactures etc. I also have a site on Hydrogen fuel for a decade that been promoting with proff.
More alcohol = leaner burn. Only flex fuel vehicles would adjust the fueling accordingly. E85 is not 85% gasoline but 85% alcohol. It is high octane but you will need to be running very rich to avoid engine damage.
True on the leaner burn, but 10% vs. 15% alcohol? that's almost nothing (not sure why you are bringing up E85 which yes, is 85% alcohol, perhaps you, like the majority of people confuse E85 with E15 (which almost no pumps label as such) my Vette will handle anything, even the 85 octane gas in Colorado by retarding timing slightly, and then advancing it again when 93 octane (or whatever higher is used) because sensor detects detonation, nearly every modern engine does this
I often switch between E10 ("regular gas") and E15 (88 octane) in my Vette for one, with more HP available than anybody needs ('cept racer wannabees) the reduction in power by using it is not noticable in everyday driving, and I mostly use it for long distance vacations where I am cruising at 80 mph on the interstate (2000 RPM) IOW idling OK, occasional bursts in mountain passes or desert in the middle of nowhere, but again, the reduction in power still leaves plenty available
I use E15 almost exclusively (for economic reasons) in Subaru and notice no difference in power or milage because again, the engine slightly advances timing because of the higher octane (by sensing detonation) which offsets the slight reduction in power generated from the higher alcohol mix tests show there is almost no difference between power and milage between regular 87 octane (10% alcohol) and 88 octane (15% alcohol)
I have no idea if my Toyota is able to adjust the timing due to detonation, but that engine is bulletproof, I have burned Mexican gas in it and 85 octane often, the car will be reduced to rust long before the engine dies, at over a quarter million miles, it is now just broken in
I am thankful most people do not understand E15, and some even think it will damage even modern engines and consequently do not use it, with the result being it is often priced 10-15 (sometimes more) cents a gallon less than E10 when it should be about 3 cents a gallon cheaper
again, if you want higher octane for your Fiero, just use premium gas although I have no idea why you would need it unless you have done engine mods that result in requiring it
[This message has been edited by ZaraSpOOk (edited 01-14-2022).]
Read the Owners book. You may get away using E15 but most Non "Flex Fuel" vehicles limit to E10 by the manufacturer. Using E15 can void any Warranty and other Service Plans.
GM and More have fought EPA and Obama crowd trying to eliminate E10 for years.
In Most places what people called "E10" isn't really E10 and many Station Pumps Say "Up to 10% Ethanol." Pumps label 10% are often wrong. Real E% depends on location and summer vs winter blends as require by EPA and/or State in the US. Most Station Staff and Managers have No Clue how much Ethanol is in their "E10" when deviled last. Many "managers" can't even look at this data because of many reasons. Sub Managers often have "No Rights" to view bills etc that main manager or owners get.
I won't trust E15 or E85 to be accurate Ethanol % either in many places.
It was my understanding that ethanol is costly to produce, but get some sort of subsidy. Also, for older vehicles ethanol can corrode aluminum parts as well as destroy any rubber bits ( o-rings) that are not Viton. I have seen what ethanol does on older motorcycles. Have seen regular rings turn to crap in a year. Not a fan of ethanol….at all
It was my understanding that ethanol is costly to produce, but get some sort of subsidy.YES Also, for older vehicles ethanol can corrode aluminum parts as well as destroy any rubber bits True( o-rings) that are not Viton. I have seen what ethanol does on older motorcycles. Have seen regular rings turn to crap in a year. Not a fan of ethanol….at all
and that is why I don't use it in my 1982 Kawasaki
GM approves E15 for most engines after 2006, as does Toyota and many others which is one reason I do not use it in my Fiero, having been designed two decades earler
But thank you to everyone who spreads fake news about E15, that why I should continue to be able to find it for 10-15 cents a gallon less than so called regular, or E10
[This message has been edited by ZaraSpOOk (edited 01-17-2022).]
There was an old drag racer that I worked with a few years ago. He said that when he raced he would cheat and add 16oz of Nitromethane to the gas and that decreased 1/4 mile times greatly. I never tried it and can't recommend it but that's what he did. He used to buy the stuff at the local hobby shop that sold engine powered model planes.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
