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DIY octane booster
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 1:49 pm
by Black_FTOGPX
Hey guy’s,
Been doing a bit of searching around for fuel additives which actually make a big difference.
Found this page during my search,
It’s about adding a chemical called toluene to your fuel. Apparently it has amazing results.
I’m going to see if I can find some on the weekend and give it a shot.
Have a read it’s very interesting.
http://www.elektro.com/~audi/toluene/
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:40 pm
by ruchi
Toluene is the main active ingredient in most octane boost products, however also be aware that it is a paint thinner and the fumes are VERY harmful.
If you decide to do this, make sure you wash any splashes or spills off your paint work straight away, and do it in a well ventilated area. Be extra careful if you are asmatic or have any respitory issues.
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 3:55 pm
by GPXXX
Frankly 98RON should suffice for everyday driving and squirts...
i love my car too much to play with toluene in my fuel tank full of Optimax... i'm sure there are other additives or ingredients at play which bumps up the RON threshold/rating of the precious fuel, but IMO there's no need for using Toluene if you fill up with Optimax/BP Ultimate/Synergy 8000...
if you want to get 100RON, might as well get the real deal stuff like AVGAS or racing fuel (105RON).
Just my 2c hehee..
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:03 pm
by Daz_FTO
is it worth it? kw gain vs slightly shortened engine life??
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:12 pm
by ruchi
toluene is a valid fuel additive, in fact most petrol contains either toluene or benzene (which is derived from toluene). Even Optimax contains over 3% benzene.
When you hear on the news that petrol stations have been diluting their petrol with paint thinners, to make a better profit, it is generally tolulene that they are adding to it.
You can certainly add toluene to your petrol, as often as you like, and with little or no harm, as long as the doses are controlled. Effectively it will be the same as adding an octane booster. It only gets dangerous to your engine when you start going silly with it.
The question you've got to way up is whether it is worth the hassle? If you add an octane booster to your fuel EVERY time you fill up, then the answer might be yes, but if you only do it every now and then, then it's not worth buying a drum of toluene and going through all the safety precautions just to save a few bucks.