Octane Boost
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2007
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Octane Boost
I've got an '02 Road King with quite a bit of motor work. It's got a 10.5:1 bore/stroke, Andrews Cams, Shortblock Charlie head work, etc. One of my buddies turned me onto Lucas octane boost. I definitely noted a difference in power and response. The question I have is whether or not there's any reason I should NOT be using the boost. I'm probable increasing the octane to about 100. I've been told that my engine actually needs the additional octane. I'm looking for insight from the field though. I want to get the maximum from my motor, but I don't want to damage it either. Appreciate any feedback.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 251
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From:
RE: Octane Boost
I was told to use the highest octane I could get in my FI roadking but in the rare instances I had to put in lower octane fuel I seeen no difference in performance but that being said I still fill her up with the highest I can get.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 100
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From:
RE: Octane Boost
octane boosting your engines performance is a myth.that is a "placebo" effect.yes it is in your mind.octane is a component added to gasoline that keeps it from igniting at lower temperatures.and in your case with all that engine work your combustion chamber is hotter in temperature than lets say a stock engine.so in order to keep gasoline from igniting in your combustion chamber from the high temp, a higher octane grade fuel is needed. pre-ignition is when gasoline is ignited in the comb.chamber by the temp. of the ingine,instead of by the spark of a spark plug, when that happens you will hear a "pinging" in the engine. your safest bet is to use the highest octane rated fuel you can commercially find ,adding octane boosters wont guarantee octane ratios,nor is there a guarantee that the product will be evenly mixed in your tank.you only have two spark plugs, hate to see you foul one out due to the by-products used in these boosters!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
RE: Octane Boost
Yeah, your compression ratio is not that high. 93 is probably fine. If you have your egnine running in excess of 11:1 you might need to boost it... Then again V-Rods have that, and still run fine on 91. But they are a whole different beast...
If you notice a difference keep doing it, the quality of gas you put in has more to do with anything than the octane rating.
If you notice a difference keep doing it, the quality of gas you put in has more to do with anything than the octane rating.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage, AK
RE: Octane Boost
ORIGINAL: suspect
octane boosting your engines performance is a myth.that is a "placebo" effect.yes it is in your mind.octane is a component added to gasoline that keeps it from igniting at lower temperatures.and in your case with all that engine work your combustion chamber is hotter in temperature than lets say a stock engine.so in order to keep gasoline from igniting in your combustion chamber from the high temp, a higher octane grade fuel is needed. pre-ignition is when gasoline is ignited in the comb.chamber by the temp. of the ingine,instead of by the spark of a spark plug, when that happens you will hear a "pinging" in the engine. your safest bet is to use the highest octane rated fuel you can commercially find ,adding octane boosters wont guarantee octane ratios,nor is there a guarantee that the product will be evenly mixed in your tank.you only have two spark plugs, hate to see you foul one out due to the by-products used in these boosters!
octane boosting your engines performance is a myth.that is a "placebo" effect.yes it is in your mind.octane is a component added to gasoline that keeps it from igniting at lower temperatures.and in your case with all that engine work your combustion chamber is hotter in temperature than lets say a stock engine.so in order to keep gasoline from igniting in your combustion chamber from the high temp, a higher octane grade fuel is needed. pre-ignition is when gasoline is ignited in the comb.chamber by the temp. of the ingine,instead of by the spark of a spark plug, when that happens you will hear a "pinging" in the engine. your safest bet is to use the highest octane rated fuel you can commercially find ,adding octane boosters wont guarantee octane ratios,nor is there a guarantee that the product will be evenly mixed in your tank.you only have two spark plugs, hate to see you foul one out due to the by-products used in these boosters!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 4
From: Augusta, GA
RE: Octane Boost
I have run up to 108 octane racing fuel and got the same quarter mile times as pump 93 octane. I don't spend the money. That wasn't in a high-performance Harley, it was a two-stroke.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,530
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From: Diamond Bar, California
RE: Octane Boost
You would be better served to get you timming right and adjust your engines quench (if nessesary)
or play with your gear ratios abit. this way the bike is where it needs to be all the time.
or play with your gear ratios abit. this way the bike is where it needs to be all the time.
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