Race gas
 

This is from http://www.vtr.org/maintain/gasoline-octane.html
I had no part in writting any of this but I'm thinking of using the Toluene mix at 30% for track days...I've only raced once on 92 with bald tires and pulled a 15 flat on the quarter. And that was with learning how to launch and what not.

I've been looking at this for a while and wanted some input from some of you guys that have tried this and how it's worked out for you....

I know this is pretty popular amongst the v8 crowds and what not but you don't really hear of too many hondas soing this..

That and I've also heard of other mixes involving moth balls and other random ----.

Well here are the mixes :

Homebrew Gasoline Octane Boosters
Editor's note: I would NOT suggest that a person use the following fuel mixtures without considering the detrimental effects on your engine, vital engine components (O2 sensor, etc), and other potential damage. That said, the information is interesting.

Original published in:

GS-Xtra
1213 Gornto Road
Valdosta, GA 31602
(912) 244-0577

Editor: Richard Lasetter, president Gran Sport Club of America (GSCA)

Formula #1 - Toluene

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

Notes: Common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Often costs $3-5 for 12-16 ounces, when it can be purchased for less than $3/gal at chemical supply houses or paint stores.

Formula #2 - Xylene

R+M/2.........117
Cost...........$2.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...........94.5 Octane
20%...........97.0 Octane
30%...........99.5 Octane

Notes: Similar to Toluene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toluene and advertised as *race formula*.

Formula #3 - Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)

R+M/2.........118
Cost...........$3.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...........94.6 Octane
20%...........97.2 Octane
30%...........99.8 Octane

Notes: Oxygenate. Very common in octane booster products. Has lower BTU content than toluene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn better and produce more energy.

Formula #4 - Methanol or Ethanol

R+M/2.........101
Cost...........$0.60 - $1.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...........94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...........94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...........Not Recommended

Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol. Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol in 10% ratios. Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios. Main ingredient in "Gas Dryers", combine with water.

Formula #5 - Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol

R+M/2.........101
Cost...........$0.60-$1.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...........94.5 Octane
20%...........Not Recommended
30%...........Not Recommended

Notes: Similar to Methanol/Ethanol. Isopropyl Alcohol is simply rubbing alcohol.

Sample Mixture

To make your own octane booster, it is easiest to make up a large batch, and then bottle it up in "dosage-size" uses.

Below is the basic formula of one of the popular octane booster products. To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1 gal):
o 100 oz of toluene for octane boost
o 25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent)
o 3 oz of transmission fluid (lubricating agent)

This product is advertised as "octane booster with cleaning agent *and* lubricating agent!". Diesel fuel or kerosene can be substituted for mineral spirits and light turbine oil can be substituted for transmission fluid. Color can be added with petroleum dyes.

VTR WWW Editor's Note: This article has been included on the VTR pages because this topic is frequently of interest to Triumph owners. However, VTR has no special knowledge about octane boosters. Please do not address correspondence for further information on octane boosters to VTR. If you are looking for further information on octane boosters, you may be able to find other resources on the net by using a search engine such as Alta Vista.

Re:Race gas
 

dam, im gonna have to read that a few times to get it straight.

Re:Race gas
 

I'm gonna have to feed that ---- to my v8, it doesn't have any vital sensors or emitions bullshit. I wonder if it will help me get airborn better.

Re:Race gas
 

a 70s vette will get u airborne in no time with that ---- suspension

Re:Race gas
 

i'm deff. gonna do some toluene mix for the next time at the track. in denver, best i can find is ------- 91 >:(

Re:Race gas
 

So what is this ---- gonna trash in our motors aside from the o2 sensors?

Re:Race gas
 

wow, that was written in my home town.

Re:Race gas
 

toluene is bad for your o2 sensor? a wideband also?

Re:Race gas
 

hum sounds interesting

Beau

Re:Race gas
 

beau, dont you have to run some ---- like this in your car?

Re:Race gas
 

This reminded me of a question I have. Here in SC we have, at every other gas station, 95 octane, 98 (i'm pretty sure thats one), 101, 107, and 110. Well the last 2 are only at a few places but they are there. I and most of my friends here run 95 daily since its only $.06 more than 93. None of us, at least no one admits to it, has ever tried to go higher. Would say 101 be safe? I'm sure that the 107 and 110 would be way to high not to mention there like $4.80/gal. Just curious.

Re:Race gas
 

this is another repost...
This has been talked about last year in oktober november if I'm not mistaken

Re:Race gas
 

im moving

Re:Race gas
 

just buy real gas toluene wont be any cheeper.. its like 6 dolalrs a gallon from a paint supply store

Re:Race gas
 

This is not the worst idea I've heard. But it isn't actually race gas. Race gas is typically leaded gas, but 5 minutes with leaded gas and your catalytic will be gone, as it red hot, melted, and falled out of your car on the road somewhere. Oh yeah, and leaded gas will kill your 02 sensor in a day, maybe 2.

Re:Race gas
 

go 10% nitromethane and kick down boost then..

Re:Race gas
 

...
who has a cat?