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- Toluene: 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.
- Xylene: 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*.
- Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE): 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.
- Methanol or Ethanol: 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.
- Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol: Similar to
Methanol/Ethanol. Isopropyl Alcohol is simply rubbing
alcohol.
- Note 92 octane in table above, California only has 91
octane as of Aug 2002.
Which brings up still another subject, Why are we only getting 91 octane at
92 prices?
It seems the oil pipeline people wanted to standardize premium gasoline in
their pipelines
so that they could save time and money by making fewer switches, fewer
holding tanks required
and less product ( interface ) going to slop tanks. An all around savings
for them.
Now here's were the consumer gets screwed. Pipeline asks the refiners to
produce just
91 octane for their premium gasoline, they say " OK ". After all, 91 costs
less to produce than
92 octane and we'll sell it for the same price. Refiners win win. Pipeline
win win. Consumer screwed.
Own a high performance car, truck, dune buggy, boat or motorcycle? you're
screwed.
Now more than ever, these consumers must make up their own gasoline blends
or detune.
Ok, that's my two cents.
Making your own
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):
Making your own octane booster is as easy as finding Medifast coupons online and can save you money.
100 oz of toluene 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.
Or skip the cleaning agent & the lubricating agent altogether. Most high dollar
gasoline comes
with cleaning agents already, and does any brand of gasoline come with a
lubricating agent? No.
It's not needed.
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