95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Using toluene to boost octane

Old Nov 8, 2002 | 10:45 PM
  #1  
WATRD's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
From: Duvall, WA
Using toluene to boost octane

There has been a lively debate about how best to boost fuel octane going on within TTORA for a year or better now.

I thought I might share this article here for those of you who have wanted just bit more power or who have had some pinging.

I have been playing with the mix for a few months now and I can state from experience that about a gallon to the tank gives me a quite noticably positive effect

Enjoy... http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/misc...explained.html
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2002 | 10:50 PM
  #2  
Beowulf's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Any negative effect over a long term period?
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2002 | 10:54 PM
  #3  
WATRD's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
From: Duvall, WA
It's already a part of the gas you buy, so, no.

Here's what the website has to say about that,

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

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?"
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2002 | 09:10 AM
  #4  
Dr. Zhivago's Avatar
Away
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
Great article Rob! Thanks for the link. I'm pretty certain even my NA engine would benefit.

Dr. Z
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2002 | 08:22 PM
  #5  
Beowulf's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Originally posted by Dr. Zhivago
Great article Rob! Thanks for the link. I'm pretty certain even my NA engine would benefit.

Dr. Z
Ditto, I'm a going to check it out as well.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2002 | 02:03 PM
  #6  
Dr. Zhivago's Avatar
Away
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

So, I mixed up a tankful of Rocket Fuel on the way home today. Muwhahahahaha!!!

I bought a gallon of Toluene at Miller Paints, added it to my nearly empty tank and filled with Shell Premium. I had about a 15 mile drive home from the gas station. Man what a difference! About 10 days ago I switched to 265/75/16 tires and I lost a little bit of get-up-n-go with them. The Rocket Fuel certainly fixed all that.

I highly recommend you try this at least once.

Dr. Z
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2002 | 02:14 PM
  #7  
WATRD's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
From: Duvall, WA
I am glad that tip was useful for you

I have my aux tank filled with 13 gallons of 101 octane + 2 gallons of toluene at the moment. Sometime about Wednesday or so my main tank will be low enough for me to do the transfer Muahhahahhahahahhahahhah is RIGHT!

When I run that combo, I can actually uncover my deckplate and drive like a scalded ape without pinging
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2002 | 02:20 PM
  #8  
Dr. Zhivago's Avatar
Away
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
Originally posted by WATRD
Muahhahahhahahahhahahhah is RIGHT!

When I run that combo, I can actually uncover my deckplate and drive like a scalded ape without pinging
ROFL

Thanks for that image, Rob.
Dr. Z
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2002 | 05:56 PM
  #9  
rowan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: maine
to me it doesn't seem worth it. i don't run on 92 octane anyways so...... if i had a supercharger or something where i needed higher octane it would make a good difference if i could get it higher than what i could buy that the station. but other wise.. if i want more vvvrrroooommmm then i will just buy higher octane.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2002 | 09:43 AM
  #10  
loosehead's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos, NM
Hey Watrd,

Thanks for post the article, very intersting read. I had read something a while back about using Xylene to do the same thing, since it is a closely related aromatic to Tolulene, but it seems that Tolulene is the prefered chemical.

An interesting side bar is that Tolulene and Xylene are a couple of the main ingredients in those little bottles of fuel injector cleaners at the parts store...hmmm.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2002 | 11:19 AM
  #11  
Churnd
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I'd like to get the professional's opinion on this. Jay, what do ya say? is this stuff the real deal or what? will there be any harmful side effects to using it just every now and then?
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2002 | 01:41 PM
  #12  
naksukow's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear or Tahoe
I think anything over 95 octane would be overkill for a supercharged engine w/ 7lbs of boost but I would mix to come up with something that is best for your vehicle. Nothing wrong with being conservative.

Just use Xylene.

2/3 part 93 octane gas.
1/3 part Xylene.
For every gallon of mixed gas/xylene add 10 oz. of Marvel's Mystery Oil.

This blend will give you about 101 octane unleaded fuel.

Get the Xylene at any Shirwin Willams.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2002 | 08:59 PM
  #13  
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Mystery Oil

Really? Use Marvel's? We use that as "after run" oil in the RC planes. What benefit does it have for gasoline?

Mike
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2002 | 12:22 AM
  #14  
Patrick D's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Hey I am new to the Yotatech site but have been on the 4x4 wire site for over a year or two. I was wondering where you can get the Toluene from? I went to Home Depot they had no clue what it was, went to Ace Hardware they knew what it was but didn't carry it, went to Kelly-Moore Paint and they said it was illegal, and finally went to Orchard supply and they also had no clue what it was. So if anyone could help me thanks. Maybe its just a California thing? :rolleyes:
-Patrick D
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2002 | 06:57 AM
  #15  
Dr. Zhivago's Avatar
Away
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
Originally posted by Patrick D
Hey I am new to the Yotatech site but have been on the 4x4 wire site for over a year or two. I was wondering where you can get the Toluene from? I went to Home Depot they had no clue what it was, went to Ace Hardware they knew what it was but didn't carry it, went to Kelly-Moore Paint and they said it was illegal, and finally went to Orchard supply and they also had no clue what it was. So if anyone could help me thanks. Maybe its just a California thing? :rolleyes:
-Patrick D
They told Toluene itself is illegal? Or did you mention what you were gonna do with it and that's when they told you how naughty you were being?

Did you check at a Sherwin Williams store?

More info please.
Dr. Z
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2002 | 04:55 PM
  #16  
Patrick D's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
n/m finally found a sherwin-williams, it was hiding out in Campbell
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2002 | 05:08 PM
  #17  
Dr. Zhivago's Avatar
Away
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 0
From: Beaverton, OR
Originally posted by Patrick D
n/m finally found a sherwin-williams, it was hiding out in Campbell
Cool! Have fun!

Dr. Z
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2002 | 11:18 PM
  #18  
Jay's Avatar
Jay
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 569
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
First ive heard of it.

Im not a performance !



Jay
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2003 | 03:46 PM
  #19  
AUJWE
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
You guys that have been running the Toulene for a little while now, Any side-effects yet? What about you N/A folks? Dr. Z? Just wondering b/c I am thinking about trying this.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2003 | 03:56 PM
  #20  
WATRD's Avatar
Thread Starter
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,089
Likes: 0
From: Duvall, WA
I am still playing with it and use it to spice up the occasional tank. But, since it requires a trip the paint store and then I have to mix it myself, it's easier to just hit the racing fuel store and fill the tank with 101 or 104 octane and call it good So, that is what I do most of the time.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:25 AM.