Home made octane booster.

[cyclewizard]

Since I've been laid up lately and going through Chemo treatments I've been working on some formulas for raising octane levels.

Here are some common ways to boost your octane using off the shelf products that you can buy at your local paint or hardware store since lead is not available in the USA anymore.

Formula #1 - Toluene

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 Toluene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, ie. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toluene 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 ontent than toluene 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.

Sample Mixture

To make your own octane booster, it is easiest to make up a large batch, and then bottle it up in "dosage-size" uses. Below 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 toluene for octane boost

25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent)

3 oz of transmission fluid (lubricating agent) or marvel mystery oil.

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.

CW..

[flyairam]

Wow, CW! This is great info. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

Good luck with your chemo, too.

Randy

[Bob K]

I have always been worried about the effects of toluene

on the rubber of my needle seat. I'm sure it is a time+concentration

effect, but, without trying it, who knows. It is refreshing to see

people using their heads and not just "buying" overpriced products.

Cyclewizard, your tables are about the best I have seen ANYWHERE.

Good job and may your recovery be swift and sure!

[Beyond The Pale]

I have always been worried about the effects of toluene

on the rubber of my needle seat. I'm sure it is a time+concentration

effect, but, without trying it, who knows. It is refreshing to see

people using their heads and not just "buying" overpriced products.

Cyclewizard, your tables are about the best I have seen ANYWHERE.

Good job and may your recovery be swift and sure!

There is already a considerable amount of toluene in gasoline. I'm sure it varies considerably, but it's in there for the same reason as an octane booster. I really doubt that adding another 10% will make any difference as far as teh rubber parts are concerned. The ethanol in the gas is a bigger issue.

[pwrpapa]

Sure beats paying big money for off the shelf booster in pretty cans that don't do much.

Man they have one heck of a markup on that stuff....?

[KAWBOYBILL]

Wow !! That is what I like about this website and the people who participate in it. Absolutely great information and after I digest it I will make up my mind which mix would work best for my purposes and give it a try.

Thanks for the info and I hope your treatments go well.

[MrBlahh]

dont let Toluene touch paint!

[XR650L_Dave]

Don't breathe any of those fumes, either.

Dave

[Agent2]

Considering the gallon prices of those chemicals are cheaper than gas, it's too bad we couldn't run the stuff straight.