Octane Boosters Test N Results

[Johnny]

Hey guys, jst thought id share a little info i got from a little test i did regarding those 'octane boosters'

anyways I recently filled up with a bad batch of fuel and im getting 'safe' but increased knocks then usual; normal from watching my pfc hand controller for the past year is 13-27 (max 29-30 on a hot day)

With this current batch of fuel im getting 37 average at 6000rpm 2nd gear and 5000rpm 3rd gear.

Info from pauls pfc faq tells me that its still safe but i thought it would be a good chance to test some octane boosters to see if there is a difference. Anyways I drove the car as-is; warmed it up for 15 minutes and ran on a stretch of road in 2nd n 3rd gear (2nd to 6000 and 3rd to 5000)

Result was: 38knock in 2nd, reset n 36knock in 3rd.

I added the nulon octane booster (the pro strength thing from autobarn at 25bux) and drove for 10 minutes to disperse the contents then ran the same stretch of road again; results were: 25knock in 2nd @ 6000rpm and 29knock in 3rd @ 5000rpm.

anyways just wanted to share the info with you guys cos im pretty happy, dont take it as 'proven' jst wanted to share.

-Johnny

[PM-R33]

Didn't some mag do a test on all the octane boosters and the Nulon Pro Strength was the only one that made a decent difference? While working at Autobarn the Pro Strength was definetely the best seller.

Edited August 31, 2009 by PM-R33

[Birds]

I find they work well with shitty fuels, but don't expect it to anything after adding it to fresh premium petrol.

I have an octane booster that I import from America for about $2.50 a bottle (treats 20 gallons / 80 litres). When I mix that with regular unleaded it feels just like Optimax.

One thing to be weary of is these additives sometimes leave deposits in the fuel system.

[Bond]

i think its a waste of money.

I would rather drain half the tank and add $25 of fresh fuel or drive the car easier for that tank and start again with better fuel.

[bokee]

Ive tried heaps of them and i found out that the only one i noticed made a difference in driving as well as knock was the Nitro NOS octane booster ill post a pic up so you see which one i mean but these do come at a cost though at $40 a bottle to treat one tank of fuel lol and i also found that martini ones are not bad either but be careful, some of them contain lead as well as other chemicals that are not good for Oxygen sensors valve seats and etc.

heres a photo

[paulr33]

agree with the others, i dont see the point of octane boosters

either

a) get proper 98 fuel

b) tune your car on the best fuel you can get ie 95 penis if your in a shit area etc

c) if you get a bad batch of 98 PFC users can use temp ign adjust to back out a few deg, or just baby it around

c is my preferred if i buy 98 and its penis fuel 98ron

b is recommended instead of using 95ron and octane booster each time

a is preferred for all around

[Adriano]

Paul, where so i get this penis fuel?

[PM-R33]

Go to a porn website and play around for a couple of minutes.

[Moodles2]

I put in half a bottle of that Nulon Pro Strength every trackday, always worried about knocking and knowing I won't hear it in time with a helmet on.

[STATUS]

i found the big wynns race formula to be the best... mind you i just bung the lot in.... they are all evil on spark plugs

http://www.wynns.net/retail_raceformula.aspx

http://www.wynns.net/product_files/Race%20...43905%20PIS.pdf

Edited August 31, 2009 by URAS

[MrStabby]

Didn't some mag do a test on all the octane boosters and the Nulon Pro Strength was the only one that made a decent difference? While working at Autobarn the Pro Strength was definetely the best seller.

This Bob Komtel - Street Machine article mentions it, and IIRC he wrote another column about a comparison of octane boosters and Nulon came out on top. Cant find that one tho.

[Kujotk]

you cant say its a waste of money, its just over priced for what they are.... and they dont create deposits, if anything they help burn the build up and clear it away....

it definately reduces knocking which on a track day could save your engine, not everyone tunes their car every time they throw on new bits... fuel is never at a constant ron rating.... sometimes we will think we're buying 98 ron but we get 97, sometimes its 99, if a car is tuned at 99 and you get a 97 ron in it you will feel if not hear the difference.... then octane booster will help aswell.

ive only used the stuff once and the car does run smoother, but thts in my car, yours may behave different.

either way the stuff is too expensive for what it is

[R31Nismoid]

they are all evil on spark plugs

And here in lies the problem

If you love changing plugs every few tanks - go for it.

Otherwise, just use good fuel.

Octane boosters are a one-tank wonder, nothing more.

[geraus]

Hmmm why is there bad fuel going around? whats going on ?

[PM-R33]

For a track day, dyno day or for the drags i think for the extra $20 for a little bit more added safety its probably the best thing you can do.

[R31Nismoid]

The best thing you can do is buy a drum of race fuel, mix a tank 30/70, much better than these additives.

[Johnny]

The best thing you can do is buy a drum of race fuel, mix a tank 30/70, much better than these additives.

Thankyou for this reply, i actually went to autobarn to buy a drum of race fuel to mix a tank but they said that i required some form of liscence to buy it; now is this right or is the bloke at the store just a 'know-nothing, know-it-all'

seems they had a leaded 100octane there for 75dollars/20litres

I actually bought 2 addidtives; the nulon one and another best seller which ill try next time.

with this new spark plug issue thats jst come up, ill be looking at mixing race gas with my pump tune for a litttle extra safety.

any info on the liscence???

[bozodos]

yeah you apparently need an ANDRA / CAMS licence or something like that to buy leaded race fuel. Same goes for Avgas.

[Russco]

Or try a 25-30% mix with toluene - spark plugs come out clean. Good insurance for summer track days in QLD.

[bozodos]

dosen't toluene destroy cats and melt things? There was a sticky on it somewhere on the site - I was kinda curious about it, but didnt want to risk my motor for it lol.