Octane Boosters: Fact or Fiction?

[NoMoMetal]

With the meger of the fuel players where I live, the best octane pump-rating one can find is 91. Furthermore, we get a "clean" blend for our winter months, making the gas more anemic.

Any opinions/recommendations out there on fuel additives for a 2003 996? Are there some "octane boosters" that really make a positive difference, or is it all snake oil?

Discuss.

[ettsn]

Over the counter octane boosters do very little (ie they claim to raise octane 3 points, but that doesn't mean 91-94 rather it means 91-91.3). Your car will benefit from a higher octane than 91. There are lots of homebrew methods for increasing octane, and the best of which is adding a gallon or two of toluene or xylene to each tank. They will not harm your motor, as they are some of the most common aromatic hydrocarbons used by the refineries to improve octane (ie it's what many oil companies use to raise the octane) and was used as much 94% of the total fuel mix back in the "rocket fuel" turbo era of F1. Best of all, it can be found at many professional paint stores in 1, 5 and even 10 gallon cans. For more information, check out:

http://www.vtr.org/maintain/gasoline-octane.html

-Paul

[Costa]

Note that Toluene and Xylene are very Toxic :unsure: if these hydrocarbons find their way into your body through inhalation or through your skin...

Wear gloves etc when mixing and make sure you do it in a WELL Ventilated area...avoid breathing the fumes etc etc etc...

Edited September 10, 2003 by ZX7R

[ettsn]

Oh indeed. Aromatic hydrocarbons are quite toxic, but not a helluva lot moreso than gasoline. Still, your advice is well-heeded! Thanks for the reminder.

-Paul