hello all,

This is my 1st ever thread, do the off the shelf octane booster works? if they do which one's good? Thanks in advance

 

Many folks have had success with Torco.

 

thanks, where can you get this?

 

Your local speed shop should carry it or you could google search "torco" and see if they have a website with a distributor list.

 

just found this;

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/arch.../t-454438.html

 

You didn't fill out the Location or Car fields in your member Profile. Do you have an STi?

In my area, there is a Union 76 (Unocal) station that carries 100 octane unleaded racing fuel. CA is renowned for its low octane (91 R+M/2) gasoline. Some other states carry 93 octane, which is probably adequate for a near stock STi.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

MN23,

r u suggesting just getting a high grade fuel and mixing is better and safer? Well that oxidation crossed my mind.

wingless wonder,

yes i got a 2004 STI and i am in Bayarea CA.

Thanks for ur infos, i'm learning a lot from this site.

 

actually, Torco works fine, the only concern is that it contains MMT, which causes a reddish residue to form on the plugs, exhaust, etc.

the residue is no worse than lead ash residue, so the only concern is if you have Catalytic converters, which will prolly get plugged over time.

Torco is just fine for the catless/leaded gas guys.

get your ecu tuned reflashed for use with Cali 91 octane, the stock ECU and the factory updated one are just garbage.

 

I know that quite a few members on this board and others swear by toluene as a safe octane booster if mixed properly but I'm still skeptical about whether it is 100% compatible with fuel system components. There are parts of the system that are rubber (or neoprene) and possibly plastic or nylon when it comes to the fuel pump filter sock. Does toluene degrade these materials over time? Does it 'wash' the oil film from the cylinder walls?

I've also read where some add oil such as automatic transmission fluid to the gasoline/toluene mix - this is something I wouldn't do on a turbocharged engine without doing additional research. When oil is introduced into the combustion chamber, you increase the risk of detonation under boost. On pure racing engines, the builders will go through great pains to ensure that the bores seal adequately to keep oil out of the combustion chamber, even at very high RPM, and yet a film of oil must be maintained on the cylinder walls to both lubricate the piston/ring assemblies and to achieve ring seal.

--
0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

racing engines frequently use "wet" cylinder sleeves, which have small divets in them to store oil, ensuring there is enough lubrication for the sealing rings in high HP/high RPM conditions.

these motors typically burn more oil than normal, Crawford uses this design for their 2.65 & 2.8L turbo motors.