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Octane Booster

216.64.108.194
Posted on November 14, 2005 at 12:28:13
chris keating
Audiophile

Posts: 714
Location: Mid Atlantic
Joined: February 2, 2005
 Does anyone have any experience using octane boosting fuel additives in lieu of high octane gas? If so, which are effective from a cost and performance standpoint. My 2006 Outback has a 250hp six, and "recommends" but does not "require" high octane fuel. It runs stronger and seems to get better mileage with 91 octane though. I was considering using 87 octane fuel and using some after market booster. Any thoughts?
Thanks,

Re: Octane Booster, posted on November 14, 2005 at 23:17:52
Steven R. Rochlin
Reviewer

Posts: 1179
Joined: April 5, 2000
 Octane alone does not equal more power. Your car needs to compensate the combustion timing as well to handle it. There is a lot of discussion about this on the Internet, though most of it is from people who have no clue (kinda like audio IMHO). Ask a REAL expert and learn why simply adding higher octane does not ALWAYS equal higher output. You'll need more aggressive cam timing and, oh yeah, hope your rings and valves can handle it all.

Too many people think adding octane alone is better (you know, more is better)...

Re: Octane Booster, posted on November 15, 2005 at 05:43:27
chris keating
Audiophile

Posts: 714
Location: Mid Atlantic
Joined: February 2, 2005
 Steve,
Thanks for the info. My car is actually recommended to run on the higher octane fuel. I'm just trying to determine whether it is better to add octane boost to regular gas or pay the higher price of high octane fuel at the pump.
BTW, I religously read ETM.

Re: Octane Booster, posted on November 16, 2005 at 09:52:20
Steven R. Rochlin
Reviewer

Posts: 1179
Joined: April 5, 2000
 Chris,

Best bet is to follow the manufact's recommended octane. Going higher is (usually) just feeding the pockets of the oil folks.

REAL tuning (chipping/cam timing adjustment/engine mapping/etc) could mean you need ever-higher octane, but a REAL TUNER knows what they are doing and can provide DYNO results as proof.

A basic stock set car... go with manufact recommendations.

Am glad you enjoy Enjoy the Music.com and appreciate your continued support :)

Keep the shiny side of the car up and as always...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

Re: Octane Booster, posted on November 16, 2005 at 11:11:20
chris keating
Audiophile

Posts: 714
Location: Mid Atlantic
Joined: February 2, 2005
 Steve,
Off the subject, I want to congratulate you for bringing Jules into the mag. He is a GREAT writer and has GREAT ears. He is also from Brooklyn, which immediatley qualifies him for stardom!!

Re: Octane Booster, posted on November 17, 2005 at 05:05:12
Steven R. Rochlin
Reviewer

Posts: 1179
Joined: April 5, 2000
 A most humble thanks. We are truly grateful to have Jules aboard as he is a gentleman, scholar, and with excellent ears and a way to put it all in writing.

Word up for Brooklyn... the place where life began for Yours Truly :)

Enjoy the Music (Bestie Boys right now),

Steven R. Rochlin

"Foot on the pedal
Never ever touch metal
Engine running hotter
Than a boiling kettle
My job's ain't a job
It's a damn good time
City to city
I'm running my rhymes...

No sleep 'til...
No sleep 'til Brooklyn
No sleep 'til Brooklyn"
forget it..,., posted on November 23, 2005 at 16:36:17
rrikola@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 636
Location: Southern California
Joined: June 30, 2003
 remember the octane rateing is a measure of the gasses reisitance to combustion. High octane fuel is actually LESS combustiable. You want the LOWEST octane fule your engine can use without ANY detonation. If you need high octane fule because of high compression or any other reason octane booster is not cost effective and not as good as the real thing because the mixture is not consistant from tank to tank and it is a pain in the butt.

Re: Octane Booster, posted on November 26, 2005 at 20:10:18
Craiger56@aol.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2560
Location: San Jose CA
Joined: April 3, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 29, 2003
 Your 06' Outback may have a "knock sensor" that listens for detonation and signals the emission control module to retard (or advance to a lesser degree) the timing under load.

Using 87 in this situation will cause a loss in performance and if taken to an extreme (although unlikely) could lead to excessive exhaust valve and manifold temperature when climbing a grade (retarded timing causes excess heat)

The octane boosters that work are pricy enough that just using 91 (super) would cost you less, they are ment for those who need 100+ octane.

Try 89 octane
Re: Octane Booster, posted on December 5, 2005 at 10:20:39
chris keating
Audiophile

Posts: 714
Location: Mid Atlantic
Joined: February 2, 2005
 Thanks for your advice

Re: Octane Booster, posted on March 15, 2007 at 07:07:43
salijema
Audiophile

Posts: 11
Location: So. California
Joined: February 7, 2001
 Have you checked out NASIOC.com (North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club)? If your ECU is a learning ECU (I suspect it is, as the one in my MY03 WRX is), then your car can take advantage of the higher octane and will advance timing to the point of predetonation, and then back off slightly.
Do a search there for octane, and you'll find lots. Torco is a pretty well-touted additive, but I've not tried it yet.
Good luck.

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