Octane booster when premium is not available? (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter joseywales
- Start date
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The issue with octane boosters is that they don't really do much and - aside from Torco - there is almost no way to "boost" your gas from 87 to 91. The numbers touted on the bottles "raise your octane by 8 points" really means that it raises your octane by .8
This means that if you use a bottle of stuff that boasts that "8 points", then you'll get 87.8.
But now, all of the "octane boost" manufacturers are no longer showing numbers and 104+ almost even says "our stuff doesn't boost octane" if you look at the fAQs here 104+® Octane Boost - https://www.goldeagle.com/product/104-octane-boost/ - look under the "can I use a lower octane gas?"
The bottom line is that you need to use the proper octane out of the pump, but 87 won't kill your engine. In addition, depending on your altitude, that 87 octane might be like 91 at sea level.
This means that if you use a bottle of stuff that boasts that "8 points", then you'll get 87.8.
But now, all of the "octane boost" manufacturers are no longer showing numbers and 104+ almost even says "our stuff doesn't boost octane" if you look at the fAQs here 104+® Octane Boost - https://www.goldeagle.com/product/104-octane-boost/ - look under the "can I use a lower octane gas?"
The bottom line is that you need to use the proper octane out of the pump, but 87 won't kill your engine. In addition, depending on your altitude, that 87 octane might be like 91 at sea level.
I live in Colorado and I’m always frustrated by the fact that 85 is still available. I haven’t owned a new car in at least 15 years that hasn’t said min. 87 is “required”, even if they are designed to run on “regular”; (obviously, not applicable to the GX550 premium recommendation). Do any modern cars say 85 is OK?
Yes, the majority of folks that don’t have premium requirements run 85 in high elevation areas and don’t seem to have issues, but it is uncomfortable to me that the car mfg’s say min. 87 is required, but even Costco here only sells 85 or 91. Wtf? And the 2 number altitude derating is clearly not a thing with modern engines, NA or especially FI, according to a number of reputable sources.
So, are the car mfg’s being conservative and annoying, or is octane regulation stuck in the 1970’s?
Yes, the majority of folks that don’t have premium requirements run 85 in high elevation areas and don’t seem to have issues, but it is uncomfortable to me that the car mfg’s say min. 87 is required, but even Costco here only sells 85 or 91. Wtf? And the 2 number altitude derating is clearly not a thing with modern engines, NA or especially FI, according to a number of reputable sources.
So, are the car mfg’s being conservative and annoying, or is octane regulation stuck in the 1970’s?
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Yup and since that doesn’t reasonably exist, the best alternative is storage of the proper gas. If it were me and I was worrying about filling my brand new vehicle with the proper gas, I might buy more of those gas cans, or realize that I drive my boat and my chainsaw much less than my turbo’d daily driver…Lol....
All you were asking was what brand of booster to use.
In general with many models that can take varied octane ratings, the computers are quicker to adjust to a lower octane and slower to adjust back to the higher octane. This is for safety. Changing octane frequently will have your computer out of whack. IME.
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
- Thread starter
- #25
Exactly. I wasn’t asking for random strangers to plan my life for me!Lol....
All you were asking was what brand of booster to use.
Exactly. I wasn’t asking for random strangers to plan my life for me!
it's human nature
I would hate to plan for you to buy this. So I will plan that you don’t. And then you don’t have to do what I’m suggesting, and you can buy it.
boostane.com
Octane Boosters That Actually Work
Expand your engine's performance with a reliable octane booster from BOOSTane. Increase your fuel efficiency, horsepower and reduce engine knock.
boostane.com
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
- Thread starter
- #28
Now I’m just confused 
Are you suggesting I shouldn’t buy Boostane because you don’t want me to? Is this some sort of reverse psychology? Honey, is that you?
Are you suggesting I shouldn’t buy Boostane because you don’t want me to? Is this some sort of reverse psychology? Honey, is that you?
It looks like a good product but you dont want us to plan your lifeNow I’m just confused
Are you suggesting I shouldn’t buy Boostane because you don’t want me to? Is this some sort of reverse psychology? Honey, is that you?
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
- Thread starter
- #30
Have you tried it, or do you know someone who has? And thanks, but I’m already married.It looks like a good product but you dont want us to plan your life
If you are at the top of the 395, at 8,000 ft elevation, you could run the lowest grade of cat pee gas and it wouldn’t hurt a thing.
Your power goes down about 3.5% per 1,000 ft of elevation/ density altitude increase above sea level. As well, your effective compression and cylinder pressure goes down which is the reason for the power drop. It is like a 10.5:1 compression engine only has 8:1. Running a compression test also shows a big drop on the numbers.
Same for Colorado or other high elevation spots…. When Air density drops such as at high elevation, so does octane requirement.
Coming from some engine building and dyno testing here at elevation, I ran an 11.2:1 compression iron-headed big block on 91 octane with zero detonation. The observed power was 428hp uncorrected, and the air was 8,800ft density altitude. The “corrected” power for sea level was 605hp.
Btw, Here is some additive that truly works: RACE GAS | Racing Fuel Concentrate - https://race-gas.com/
Your power goes down about 3.5% per 1,000 ft of elevation/ density altitude increase above sea level. As well, your effective compression and cylinder pressure goes down which is the reason for the power drop. It is like a 10.5:1 compression engine only has 8:1. Running a compression test also shows a big drop on the numbers.
Same for Colorado or other high elevation spots…. When Air density drops such as at high elevation, so does octane requirement.
Coming from some engine building and dyno testing here at elevation, I ran an 11.2:1 compression iron-headed big block on 91 octane with zero detonation. The observed power was 428hp uncorrected, and the air was 8,800ft density altitude. The “corrected” power for sea level was 605hp.
Btw, Here is some additive that truly works: RACE GAS | Racing Fuel Concentrate - https://race-gas.com/
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joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
- Thread starter
- #32
Where are you finding 8000’ elevation? The northernmost point of US395 is Laurier Washington. Population 1, and elevation of 1,554’ ASL.
I put a half tank of mid grade in it today, and it didn’t explode.
The highest point on Hwy 395 in the U.S. is Conway Summit, north of Mono Lake, around 8100 feet in elevation
I would not advise it. I have a F-150 TT HO and was using it for this very reason. It started throwing codes and causing engine knock. I immediately stopped it and never had an issue since. Do what Toyota suggests or get another vehicle.
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
- Thread starter
- #35
I was not referring to elevation. The northernmost point is obviously my meaning. Although I have also been to the highest part of it.
joseywales
Renaissance Redneck
- Thread starter
- #36
Hmmm. Your Furd was acting up, so I should get a different vehicle? Great input!
This x100!
