Thread: Octane boosting a 350

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Has anyone ever used toluene for your 350. I read about it and am thinking about getting some to see what happens. Let me know what you all think about it.

I read somthing on that a while ago I beleave it is to be mixed with gas to boost octaine . Relitivly small amounts mixed with gas will raise the octaine . I don't remember the ratios.

What are you trying to accomplish? How much octane do you need?

dont think the octane booster will do much for you,if its just a stock street engine.

I remember back in my drag racin' days the BBC in the panel truck was sputterin' on top end. A guy gave me what was problee' about a 10 Oz. or so bottle of octane booster. It did the job, the sputter went away.

Formula #1 - Toluene
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 Toluene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toluene 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 toluene 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", combine 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

From what I read up on it it seems to do a good job. I was wondering had anyone used any in a 350 engine and if so did you see a big difference.

I think the closer to stock the engine is, the less effective octane booster will be.

If your engine doesn't ping on what you're using now you'll just be flushing money down the toilet. If you've detuned to use the highest grade pump fuel then you might gain something by being able to tune back up. Octane rating is not magic pixie dust.

Formula #1 - Toluene
R+M/2.........114
Cost...........$2.50/gal

It does work....but how old is this info sheet? I buy Toluene and Xylene all the time in my refinishing work, and it's more like $12 or $13 bucks a gallon now.

And I agree with Bob, why use it if you dont need it. If you have a stock engine, or nearly stock, and it wont run on 91 or 92, there are problems.

Yeah, those prices are a few years old, was trying to pass on the formula not thinking of the prices... as all other petro products they are high now, my bad.

This is the one I use in the Harleys, Cobra and the 23............

12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3.

To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1 gal):

100 oz of toluene 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.