Because of the gas panic/shortage we have many gas stations without gas or unleaded 87 only so I had to fill my tank with 87 gas. Can I put some 104 octane boost from Pep Boys to balance it out or can it cause any harm to the bike engine? 2008 Softail Heritage.

Thanks

zuma

 

I am having the same problem. had to put crap gas in and wondered would octane booster be ok..
I hope we get an answer!

 

Don't understand how only certain areas are affected by TX gas issue?? NY & FlA have no Issues...

 

From the manufacturer's website:The reason being that it only raises the octane 4 points... meaning decimal points (i.e., it takes 87 octane to 87.4, not 91 octane)!

If this is going to be a regular thing, you are better off making your own octane boost. Here's a formula we've used in racing Corvettes for years (and we've proved on the dyno that it works):
1 gallon toluene (=R+M/2 octane of 117)
2 oz mineral spirits (cleaning agent)
1 oz Marvel Mystery Oil (lubricant)

One gallon of this homebrew added to 4 gallons of 87 octane = tankful of 93 octane. This is absolutely safe to use... will not harm pistons, seals, hoses, etc. as long as you do not exceed 30% by volume. Toluene is what's known in the petroleum industry as an "aromatic" and is already part of the gas you buy (albeit in much smaller quantity). A gallon of toluene costs ~ $13 at the local paint store. Not inexpensive, and not something you'd want to add at every fill-up, but it's good in a pinch.

 

What will 87 octane gas do to the engine? One whole tank full?

 

Waste of money. I run my 07 FXSTC on E10 regular without any probem. In fact I run 4 power cruisers, a hemi truck, two vettes- an 02 LS1 and an 08LS3, and a Honda S2000 without any problem. I have been running regular gas all the way back into the 90's.

I have never experienced trouble but I have gained mpg and easier starting.

Performance. My softail will stay with my VTX1800 until about 80. My 436 hp vette is scary fast and no pinging ever.

 

As long as you don't get "on it" to the point that it pings, probably nothing.

 

Does anyone know what these would do to the O2 sensors? As I understand it some of them can damage the sensors.

 

Higher octane fuel will reduce pinging, help prevent pre-ignition, and lower emisions. As Mr. Lucky started to mention, alot of people are misinformed on octan rating and how much a booster product will actually raise octain level. For example: The difference between 91 and 92 octane is actually 10 points! Therefore, when your reading the back of the bottle of booster and it "claims" to raise octain by "up to 5 points" it is only going to raise octane level by half a number (91 would become 91.5)
The best off-the-shelf product IMO is made by Lucas and yes it is O2 sensor safe. Here are a couple links...

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=2&loc=show
http://volvospeed.com/Reviews/octane...ers_lucas.html
http://www.europeancarweb.com/tech/0...ted/index.html

 

I tend to agree with you. I have been running regular for a couple weeks due to the so called shortage, bike (stage2)and car seems to run just fine with no pinging, as before when I ran with the 91 and 93 octane.