Octane boosters N55/N54

[mjp]

Hi, I would like to find out what your take on octane boosters are. I have heard of reports where OB damages plugs in your car. Is this true? Any experiences with them? Power increases?

[Biasasaja]

power increase are there with Nos Octane Booster.
as long as it contains MMT

[Kamal]

There's really no need for them and running too much octane booster will foul your plugs. Fill up with the highest octane top-tier gas in your area and you'll be good to go... If you track the car, get some high octane at the track.

[mineo77]

octane booster = epic fail

[M135]

A buddy of mine is running it here and there on his N54 without problems. Usually for track runs when he can't get race fuel.

Terry at BMS uses it to suplement crappy western gas, but I think if you can get good quality 93 octane it should be fine.

mineo77: care to elaborate?

[Red135]

Both Torco and NOS race formula have been used with success. Don't use it too frequently though, it will turn your plugs and exhaust tips orange.

[Tony135]

I can vouch for the success of octane boosters. I have 91 gas where I live, so we need it to make some 93 power. My car was hitting in the 295whp consistently. We added octane booster and I hit 322whp and 326whp. I'd give it a shot.

[mineo77]

from my research and working with HPF there has been no shown benefit. however, cant argue with folks gaining nearly 30HP from a few more octane (which doesnt make too much sense either, thats a lot of power gain for a few octane but if you are running a higher map then it adds up)

[rader1]

If you're looking for some increased octane levels, try looking into mixing your own fuel. Toluene used to be a very popular component in homebrew racegas. It raises octane and increases the BTU, if I remember correct(Not 100% on the last part.) I think its outlawed by some racing organzations though, and it causes cancer. I have no idea how it interacts with cats or fuel injectors, but it might be worth researching. Its a lot more work than octane booster, but its cheaper in the long run if it will work

[Brandon26pdx]

depends on the octane requirements of the engine. Assuming you want your car to run max timing advance (best power), the octane requirements may be higher than what you get from the pump. Some places like CA only get 91 octane, whereas you can get 93 or 94 in some other places. In OR, 92 is the best we can get and sometimes it doesn't keep the engine as happy as it could be on a hot summer day in traffic.

[mjp]

Problem is where I live we get 91 octane ( might be lower than that) I have the option of using NF or Torco as these are the 2 that are available. Torco is 2 times the price of NF and do not know if its worth while.

Sunoco 109 is also an option but will it work on the 135 with no issues or should I look at the Sunoco 104?

[rader1]

Aren't 109 and 104 both leaded? If so that's definately not an option. What mods do you have? By the sound of things, if you really need the increased octane your best option is meth.

[Brandon26pdx]

Leaded gas will foul O2 sensors ($$) and clog catalytic converters ($$$) (although it doesn't harm the engine itself in any way.)

[rader1]

Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx

Leaded gas will foul O2 sensors ($$) and clog catalytic converters ($$$) (although it doesn't harm the engine itself in any way.)

That's why I was saying leaded fuel isn't a(good) option. But I guess if you have removed all the cats, and have luck with the O2 sensors, then you could try it. I've read a few boardmembers claiming that leaded fuel fouled their injectors, but idk if that was the real cause or not. Btw, lead is actually a lubricant and actually good for most metals...

[mjp]

Originally Posted by rader1

Aren't 109 and 104 both leaded? If so that's definately not an option. What mods do you have? By the sound of things, if you really need the increased octane your best option is meth.

Both 104 and 109 are unleaded. Google sunoco fuels. Pretty good reviews from some people I know. I tried the 104 in my k04 gti and gains were good.

[rader1]

Originally Posted by mjp

Both 104 and 109 are unleaded. Google sunoco fuels. Pretty good reviews from some people I know. I tried the 104 in my k04 gti and gains were good.

Really? That's awesome. Id like to try and find some local to me, but the only thing sunoco sells around here is 110 cam2

[jordanlt]

octane boosters are good if you fill up with bad gas and need a boost. i filled up with 90 the other day because i was almost out of gas and the gas station i was at only offered 90 (ethanol free 90). car ran real sluggish until i put in the booster and it adjusted over time back to normal.

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by rader1

That's why I was saying leaded fuel isn't a(good) option. But I guess if you have removed all the cats, and have luck with the O2 sensors, then you could try it. I've read a few boardmembers claiming that leaded fuel fouled their injectors, but idk if that was the real cause or not. Btw, lead is actually a lubricant and actually good for most metals...

That's a good point about the injectors. I've not heard one way or the other whether DI injectors would like it. On cars with regular port injection it harmed nothing.

[chancejat]

nos racing formula.....autotune went up 2psi in like 5 mins......good stuff....

[Roshi]

If in So Cal, why not just hit up one of the many 76 Stations that sells 100 octane?

[romak47]

Originally Posted by iainthim

If in So Cal, why not just hit up one of the many 76 Stations that sells 100 octane?

ive never seen 76 sell that in so cal where im from..

[RealityDesign]

Originally Posted by iainthim

If in So Cal, why not just hit up one of the many 76 Stations that sells 100 octane?

Couple of reasons...

First, you'd need to spend about $25 on 100 octane gas to mix your tank to 93-94 octane you get from the octane booster, compared to $15 for the booster. Second, you need to drive (in most cases far) to a gas station that sells 100 octane, rather than just grabbing a bottle from the garage.

I have several 5 gallon jugs of 100 octane in my garage, but even then, it's more of a pain in the ass (and more expensive) to fill a few gallons of 100 from the jug than to dump a little can of octane booster in.

Thus far, I haven't used the NOS race octane booster. But Terry at BMS seems to use it every tank of gas and has had no issues. It's looking mighty tempting.

Although really, with meth, I wonder how much difference it really makes. 91+meth vs 93+meth shouldn't be THAT different. No matter what you start at, as soon as that meth is spraying you're well over 100 octane anyway.