I’m wondering what you guys think about boosting octane level in a 69 M code with a mild cam. 91 is the highest octane pump gas available here and I’m thinking it wouldn’t hurt to boost it to 93 or 94. I haven’t heard any pinging or knocking but it seems like a good idea to advance the timing as much as possible. I understand toluene is about 114 Octane and mixing it with 91 octane at around 10% volume should boost octane level to 93 (assuming it is a simple average). I’ve read mixed opinions about running toluene (mostly good) and have heard nothing good about over the counter octane boosters.
Does anyone out there have any experience using toluene as a booster or any thoughts on boosting octane in general?
Actually toluene is not an effective octane booster. What works is either Avgas or race gas. A gallon of 110 octane unleaded or Avgas will make a huge difference. Bonus: each gallon of Avgas or race gas contains a gallon of gas so you get more in your tank.
I’ve tried a dozen kinds of octane booster products including Moroso, Techron, 104 and toluene which I used to get for free at work. None had any effect whatsoever except to lighten my wallet and sometimes foul the plugs.
Not to hijack this thread but what about those products intended to add lead to offset the effects of cornhole …ah, corn oil in modern gasoline; any recommendations for an effective safe additive ?
dont use ethanol. we have 94 octane at Shell that contains zero ethanol. Ethanol kills HP and mileage, not to mention what it can do to your entire fuel system. i avoid it like the plague.
Yep. Don’t use ethanol included fuels.
Or
If you can only get ethanol included fuels, go ahead and make the necessary mods to your carburetor to burn that fuel in the proper ratio to the atmosphere being taken in.
Cans o stuff are seldom a real solution. But, they do look like an appealing solution when you see them on the shelf.
There is a school of thought in the UK which suggests you should add a small amount of 2 stroke oil to your fuel.
100ml or so every time you fill your tank.
The theory is that it replaces the lead and lubricates the upper cylinders, but it’s in a small concentration so won’t gum stuff up.
It definitely works on diesels, I had an old Ford van which sounded like a tractor and did 28mpg.
With 2 stroke, it was super quiet and gave 35+ mpg.
It doesn’t work with new cars with Catalytic convertors, and if you put too much in, it can foul the plugs a little, but other than that there’s no damage.
I have an old Audi 100 (5000 in the US), and I stick 100ml in the tank on every other fill, the thing has 300,000 miles on it, and it’s quiet as a mouse, pulls strng with no smoke and no fouling.
Please feel free to google before you try it, some say it helps, some say it doesn’t, so it’s really a matter of personal opinion.
Interesting, Quattro. Very interesting.
I’ve heard that also but using Marvel Mystery Oil.
I found a thread on the LS1 forum about the 2 stroke marine oil addition. Looks like it’s been tested for a while.
I’m looking right now for someone who has the chemistry particulars so I can look at what the oil is and how it interacts with modern fuel blends.
One of the biggest problems with the 2v cleveland (maybe one of the most copious classic cougar engines) is the rotten chamber design of the 2v head. But, if the 2 stroke additive is chock full of hydrocarbons, that would really work to a chemical advantage for improved burn.
I’m gonna see if I can work out the chemistry or find someone who already has.
While you’re at it Andy, see if there’s a way to separate ethanol from the gasoline. I’ve heard that it’s somewhat like oil and vinegar and it separates over time if left undisturbed. I don’t know if that’s a true statement though.