Preferred octane boost?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,160
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
Politics aside...
Many states have their own regulations for air quality... ie: California Air Resources Board (CARB).... and that is often reflected in the fuel blends available.
You will not find other than 91 Premium in CA. Some say it's supply & demand... I'm not so sure... IMHO all politicians lie, and everything else is just marketing for profit..
There were like two VP fuel stations within 60 miles of my area when I had my modded '04 Z06 Corvette with a Kenne Bell Supercharger (which was all CARB approved). I used to blend their 100 octane with the 91 in the high heat summer months as a hedge against detonation, and also once in awhile during the winter due to the "winter gas" out here..
I had that car tuned on 91 octane and rarely had an issue, but would have loved to be able to use some 93 from time to time as a hedge against detonation. Damage can happen fast on boosted engine, but 93 octane isn't available in CA...
Available octane ratings are not just based on elevation....
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 79
From: Bridgewater, NJ
[QUOTE=Available octane ratings are not just based on elevation....[/QUOTE]
On our trip to Alaska, on the Alaska Highway, it was hit and miss for anything over 87. We started pulling in to every gas station to see if the had any premium. If they did we topped off. The damn Goldwinger could burn anything. And got better gas mileage. lol
On our trip to Alaska, on the Alaska Highway, it was hit and miss for anything over 87. We started pulling in to every gas station to see if the had any premium. If they did we topped off. The damn Goldwinger could burn anything. And got better gas mileage. lol
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 965
Likes: 848
From: Hudson, CO
Oil refiners struggle to make premium gasoline (msn.com)
Carrying some octane boost may be a bit more sensible in the near future.
Carrying some octane boost may be a bit more sensible in the near future.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 79
From: Bridgewater, NJ
Oil refiners struggle to make premium gasoline (msn.com)
Carrying some octane boost may be a bit more sensible in the near future.
Carrying some octane boost may be a bit more sensible in the near future.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 313
Likes: 83
From: TX
This thread got me looking around to see if I could save a few bucks while meeting the octane requirement. This was the best bang for the buck I could find:
Reviews are good. Raises octane by 3 points at the spec'd amount, costs under $3 a bottle, and each bottle treats 4-5 fill-ups on a touring rig (assuming you're putting in 4-5 gallons). With premium nearly a buck a gallon over regular, not a bad deal. I ride about 25K a year, so my guesstimated savings would be something like 300-400 bucks.
Reviews are good. Raises octane by 3 points at the spec'd amount, costs under $3 a bottle, and each bottle treats 4-5 fill-ups on a touring rig (assuming you're putting in 4-5 gallons). With premium nearly a buck a gallon over regular, not a bad deal. I ride about 25K a year, so my guesstimated savings would be something like 300-400 bucks.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 965
Likes: 848
From: Hudson, CO
That does look like a good deal overall when you put it like that. Might be worth splitting up a bottle into 4 or 5 smaller even doses using some small ~2 oz bottles. Metering the right amount out of that one big bottle while at the pump may be difficult to say the least. That's really the biggest issue I see with octane boost is mixing in the right proportions each time for reasonably accurate octane numbers. Particularly if you are going to try using it at every fill up. Not such a big deal if you are only using it to fix a tank here and there when on a trip and can't find premium.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 313
Likes: 83
From: TX
That does look like a good deal overall when you put it like that. Might be worth splitting up a bottle into 4 or 5 smaller even doses using some small ~2 oz bottles. Metering the right amount out of that one big bottle while at the pump may be difficult to say the least. That's really the biggest issue I see with octane boost is mixing in the right proportions each time for reasonably accurate octane numbers. Particularly if you are going to try using it at every fill up. Not such a big deal if you are only using it to fix a tank here and there when on a trip and can't find premium.
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 270
Likes: 119
From: Fontana
This is what I run in my bike: https://bndautomotive.com/aces-formu...oline-formula/
Supposed to be good for 11 points of octane at 1oz per 6 gals. Comes with a measuring bottle that holds about 12 ounces and has a measuring cup with 1/4oz graduations, like the bottle that Stabil uses. I keep one of these bottles in my backpack, double bagged in zip loc's.
Added to 91 octane, it's good enough for 14psi of boost without knock in my engine.
I run their 2-stroke additive in my 2.5 liter V-6 Mercury's too. 91 + ACES at 150psi compression. Works great.
Supposed to be good for 11 points of octane at 1oz per 6 gals. Comes with a measuring bottle that holds about 12 ounces and has a measuring cup with 1/4oz graduations, like the bottle that Stabil uses. I keep one of these bottles in my backpack, double bagged in zip loc's.
Added to 91 octane, it's good enough for 14psi of boost without knock in my engine.
I run their 2-stroke additive in my 2.5 liter V-6 Mercury's too. 91 + ACES at 150psi compression. Works great.
I have had a somewhat long and depth Back-N-Fourth with Brian.
And I have the ACES IV, and the QuantumBlue oil on the way out, I will be trying it out in my 2014 Street Glide Special
