where I live I can't consistently get gas above a 91 octane. I normally dump some octance boost on every fill-up just as a safeguard, but if I don't I hear noises like small stones rattling in a can, coming from the engine. Which I believe is detonation, am I correct in assuming this.

What precautions can I take to prevent or minimize this, continue with the fuel additives? and what are the side effects of long term use?

 

That's exactly what minor detonation sounds like. Bad stuff.

What engine and mods do you have? An unmodded B18C1 or B18C5 really is only supposed to require 91 octane according to the owner's manual. If you can't even get 91 octane, I'd continue with the octane booster.

Certain octane boosters will clog your cat with long-term usage, but that's a small price to pay.

 

I've got a GSR with Type R cams, short ram intake, toda cam gears and lightened flywheel, FPR, VAFC, test-pipe and 2 1/4" exhaust.

So since my cat is removed, will it do the same to the test pipe, any other ill effects of the octane boost. Should I throw in an injector cleaner once in awhile.

 

You're getting detonation off of that setup on 91? That's odd...

 

There aren't really any mods in there that would require you to use anything more than 91 octane. Who tuned your VAFC, FPR and cam gears? If the tuning is poor, it'll detonate as well.

Since you have no cat, there are no detrimental effects to using the octane booster.

 

Ha.....I wish. If I get 91 I'm lucky. it's usually around 86 maybe!!!

 

86??? Where the heck do you live?