FWIW, the manual says "No octane boost allowed!".

I've used it on trips through areas where high octane gas wasn't available but I don't know what affects it would have for long term use.

 

Thats right, this is because certain grades of octane booster can damage the fuel injection system. This is funny because the same manual also says DO NOT use fuel with more than 10% Ethanol. Just remember this disclaimer only applies to non-modified stock engines.

 

This is what I use w/89 octane. Works great.
http://www.discountfleetsupply.com/luc10576.html

 

Toluene is a pure hydrocarbon (C7H8). i.e. it contains only hydrogen and carbon atoms. It belongs to a particular category of hydrocarbons called aromatic hydrocarbons. Complete combustion of toluene yields CO2 and H2O. This fact ensures that the entire emission control system such as the catalyst and oxygen sensor of your vehicle is unaffected. There are no metallic compounds (lead, magnesium etc), no nitro compounds and no oxygen atoms in toluene. It is made up of exactly the same ingredients as ordinary gasoline. In fact it is one of the main ingredients of gasoline.

Q: Will toluene damage my engine or other parts of my vehicle?

A: A 5 or 10% increase in the aromatic content of gas will most likely be well within the refining specifications of gasoline defined by ASTM D4814, which specify an aromatic content of between 20% and 45%. What this means is that if the 92 octane gas that you started off with had an aromatic content of say 30% and you increased it by 10% to 40% you would still be left with a mix that meets the industry definition of gasoline. So the above question would amount to: "Will gasoline damage my engine or other parts of my car?"

Even in the unlikely event that the 92 octane gas has a aromatic content of 45% the resulting mix would still be within the bounds of gasoline sold in other countries.

Here are some "homebrew" formulas for octane boosters(courtesy of gnttype.org):

FORMULA 1
Toulene
R+M/2...114
Cost...$2.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.2 Octane
20%...96.4 Octane
30%...98.6 Octane
Notes: Common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, I.e. from 92 to 92.3. Often costs $3-5 for 12-16 ounces, when it can be purchased for less than $3/gal at chemical supply houses or paint stores.

FORMULA 2
Xylene
R+M/2...117
Cost...$2.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.5 Octane
20%...97.0 Octane
30%...99.5 Octane
Notes: Similar to Toulene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, I.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toulene and advertised as *race formula*.

FORMULA 3
Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
R+M/2...118
Cost...$3.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.6 Octane
20%...97.2 Octane
30%...99.8 Octane
Notes: Oxygenate. Very common in octane booster products. Has lower BTU content than toulene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn better and produce more energy.

FORMULA 4
Methanol or Ethanol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60 - $1.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...Not Recommended
Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol. Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol in 10% ratios. Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios. Main ingredient in "Gas Dryers", combines with water.

FORMULA 5
Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol
R+M/2...101
Cost...$0.60-$1.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
10%...94.5 Octane
20%...Not Recommended
30%...Not Recommended
Notes: Similar to Methanol/Ethanol. Isopropyl Alcohol is simply rubbing alcohol.


MAKE YOUR OWN OCTANE BOOST
How to make your own octane booster (this is the basic formula of one of the popular octane booster products). To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1 gal):

100 oz of toulene for octane boost
25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent)
3 oz of transmission fluid (lubricating agent)

This product is advertised as "octane booster with cleaning agent *and* lubricating agent!". Diesel fuel or kerosene can be substituted for mineral spirits and light turbine oil can be substituted for transmission fluid. Color can be added with petroleum dyes.

 

Good job.... been saying here on this forum for two years..... octane booster is paint thinner.....there are uses for it.... if you have to have octane booster....snort it through a rag....now that will.... boost you...
Thanks Candente....
You have more energy...explaining time... hope they heed

 

An inexpensive and effective additive -- especially to overcome the ethanol issue -- is acetone. Yes -- pure 100% acetone. You can get it at any drugstore. Use a couple ounces in each tank and you'll feel the difference and you'll probably improve the gas mileage. Been using it on the bike and in both cars.

Be careful not to get it on the paint...

 

so how does SeaFoam mesure up will using it regulatly damage anything ?

 

I also use Startron. I get it at Walmart in the boating supply section. It is not only effective against the moisture collected from ethanol it is also a stabilizer that plays a vital role if storing or prolonged down time.I use it in my boat and all my lawn equipment.

 

Homemade SeaFoam:


Recommended Recipe:

4 parts Diesel/ 2 parts naphtha/ 1 part IPA




Use 1-2oz per gallon of gasoline.

IPA=Isopropyl Alcohol (normal rubbing alcohol is ~8% water; HEET is a higher concentration of pure alcohol)

 

I use Star Tron and love it.
Find it at Home Depot near the chain saws, works wonders.
In all my stuff that has a gasoline motor.