i have been researching boosting octane with toluene for about about 2 week now. I was looking for anyone who had done this to give me some feedback. My setup will not be daily driven on the mixture, and i know correct proportioning. Good and bad experiences, i need to hear from everyone. thanks

 

i use the stuff once in awhile... get kinda expensive using it all the time. I mostly use it to help clean the fuel system out. its safe to use... i usually do one full gallon to a full tank(8gallon).

 

i used to use it every other weekend because of all the meet ups that we do here in MN. i suspect that it's the cause of my fuel pump failing now. my fuel pump is only 6 months old.

 

As long as you don't use it in too great a percentage, it should not hurt any of your fuel system parts.

 

How does it hurt the fuel pump?

 

from what i had been reading 20% seems to be a good ratio. im only going to use it about 3 or 4 times this summer, at our sport compact only nights. im not really worried about detonation due to the ECU i am gonan be using, but uppping octane gives me a good buffer. just for safetys sake

 

a 20% tuolene mixture with 94 adds up to what octane roughly?

 

its 98.00 octane if ur using a 20% mix of tolluene and 94 octane.

 

here are some forumlas that have been around forever for making race gas and other octane boosting buddies. (for anyone who was curious).

Formula #1 - Toulene =============================
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 Toulene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toulene 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 toulene 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.

How to make your own octane booster (this is the basic formula of one of the popular octane booster products).
To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1 gal): 100 oz of toulene for octane boost 25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent) 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.

oh and so far no problems with toulene from anyone I know using it...