Octane boost

[ian187]

I went to a "car show thing" a few weeks ago now and there was a stand selling a unit which boosted the octane level in your fuel.

It was a cylinder that fixed in your fuel line so that the fuel passed through it and in the process over a bunch of "widgets" that made the octane increase.

I can't remember exactly but it was claimed to take normal unleaded up to 100+ ron I think!!! and supposedly last for 100K miles !!!!!!

I did ask details and the guy explained that the "widgets broke down into the fuel and released magnesium and other stuff to increase the octane level blah blah some of the stuff released gave a better lubrication and the magnesium caused the fuel to be more volitile I guess!

I'm not entirely convinced at all by it, but thought I would ask, because if it really was as good as the chap reckons then it would be quite handy to be able to use normal unleaded.

Anybody use or seen these gadgets?

[tahiti450]

IMHO that sounds like a heap of Bull . Anyone care to disagree?

[parrot of doom]

Was this guy also eating Grapefruit to burn excess calories?

[tahiti450]

ian187 said:

increase the octane level .......... caused the fuel to be more volitile I guess!

Just on a technical pedantic note: The higher the octane rating the more resistant the fuel is to ignition (hence to prevent pre-ignition with higher compression ratios etc).
I accept that this is not necessarily anything to do directly with volatility, but I think the gist of what was being said implied that the fuel would be more combustible rather than less.

>> Edited by tahiti450 on Thursday 14th July 22:50

[ian187]

tahiti450 said:

IMHO that sounds like a heap of Bull . Anyone care to disagree?

Now that's exactly what I thought, but I'm thinking there must be something to it otherwise he surely wouldn't still be in business and advertising at car shows!

[steve1c]

ian187 said:

I went to a "car show thing" a few weeks ago now and there was a stand selling a unit which boosted the octane level in your fuel. It was a cylinder that fixed in your fuel line so that the fuel passed through it and in the process over a bunch of "widgets" that made the octane increase. I can't remember exactly but it was claimed to take normal unleaded up to 100+ ron I think!!! and supposedly last for 100K miles !!!!!! I did ask details and the guy explained that the "widgets broke down into the fuel and released magnesium and other stuff to increase the octane level blah blah some of the stuff released gave a better lubrication and the magnesium caused the fuel to be more volitile I guess! I'm not entirely convinced at all by it, but thought I would ask, because if it really was as good as the chap reckons then it would be quite handy to be able to use normal unleaded. Anybody use or seen these gadgets?

I always think along the lines of.....if it worked, why don't at least some car manufacturers install it in their cars when sold new or at least recomend it.