No high octaine fuel about, octaine boosters?

[MK4 Slowride]

In light of the st storm over fuel all the stations near me have no 98ron + fuels (I normally use tesco 99) as they're prioritising the normal stuff in deliveries. We've phoned around everywhere local enough, no joy. My car is mapped for 98ron+ & so is my mates MR2 Turbo.

We're going to need an octaine booster if we've to use normal 95ron. I'm a bit worried about using it as I don't want to ruin my engine. Are any makes better than others and I take it if I follow the instructions I should be ok, I've never used this stuff before.

cheers.

[MX7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbcCr2ll3c

[pilchardthecat]

Wow, where do you live? it must be a high-twazzok-density area

I had similar concerns earlier in the week, rang a couple of places and they all had loads of 98/99

[Marf]

MK4 Slowride said:

In light of the st storm over fuel all the stations near me have no 98ron + fuels (I normally use tesco 99) as they're prioritising the normal stuff in deliveries. We've phoned around everywhere local enough, no joy. My car is mapped for 98ron+ & so is my mates MR2 Turbo.

We're going to need an octaine booster if we've to use normal 95ron. I'm a bit worried about using it as I don't want to ruin my engine. Are any makes better than others and I take it if I follow the instructions I should be ok, I've never used this stuff before.

cheers.

Read the bottles carefully. A promised increase of one octane point is not going from 97->98, it's going from 97->97.1.

The MR2 should be OK - it has a knock sensor and will default to a safe map AND limit boost[1] if knock is detected. Once he can get the good stuff tell him to pull the ECU fuses in the frunk and under the engine cover and the ECU will reset back to a high octane mape.

[1] assuming the stock boost control system is still hooked up.

Edited by Marf on Wednesday 4th April 15:26

[Marf]

MX7 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbcCr2ll3c

Why is this relevant?

[hairykrishna]

MX7 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbcCr2ll3c

That video's fairly daft. If the octane of the fuel's raised the power of the engine won't rise without any other changes. Probably drop, like they found in the video. Entirely different to the OP's needs - i.e. an engine which is set up for high octane.

Edited by hairykrishna on Wednesday 4th April 15:27

[Trommel]

Yes, most are a waste of time, although I seem to remember tests showing Nulon and NF working.

You could always find some toluene (or just drive something else for a few days).

[LuS1fer]

You can still drive it, just not use full throttle when the knock sensor should cut in and retard the igntion anyway. The only point of increased octane is to stop this knocking and allow more aggressive timing.

[pilchardthecat]

Trommel said:

toluene

not to be confused with tri-nitro-toluene

[mmm-five]

Millers Octane Booster - claims to raise your octane rating by upto 40 points.

Possibly available from Halfords for 2x the price if you're desperate.

Edited by mmm-five on Wednesday 4th April 16:36

[MiseryStreak]

Your car will run fine on 95RON, might be down on power a bit but it certainly won't harm the engine, unless you're racing it. 95RON and 98RON are just approximations anyway, the actual octane rating will differ from tank to tank. You have a knock sensor anyway don't you?

[hairykrishna]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-ltrs-pure-Toulene-oct...

This'll do the job. If it's good enough for 80's F1 cars, it's good enough for you.

[Mr MXT]

Where are you based?

[MiseryStreak]

hairykrishna said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20-ltrs-pure-Toulene-oct...

This'll do the job. If it's good enough for 80's F1 cars, it's good enough for you.

All pump petrol contains Toulene anyway. Race fuel just in higher concentrations. All of the octane boosters you buy in halfords/garages are useless junk, a whole big bottle will increase your tank of fuel's octane rating by half an octane number at best. 1 octane number is 10 octane points which make people believe they are turning their fuel into race fuel with one application.

[MX7]

Marf said:

MX7 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbcCr2ll3c

Why is this relevant?

Because the OP is considering using one, and there's a line of thought that they are slightly snake-oil'ish.

[MK4 Slowride]

I'm in Gloucestershire, I know a guy who rallies a MK1 Escort and he ups his fuel. Going to speak with him when I can. Apparently the stuff he uses is really nasty if it gets on you or you breathe it in. Sounds good.

[Marf]

MX7 said:

Marf said:

MX7 said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jbcCr2ll3c

Why is this relevant?

Because the OP is considering using one, and there's a line of thought that they are slightly snake-oil'ish.

Apologies, I was being somewhat(!) facetious. If you read his post, you'll see why this video is irrelevant in this context.