toluene and xylene

[GONIF]

Here in sunny Arizona we have only 91 octane gas at the pump .I was thinking of adding toluene or xylene to get to 93 octane . Any one try this ?

[Wolvie70]

I have heard of it, mostly when I was on BMW boards. Never heard of catastrophic failures from it, but who knows. Was always tempted to try it but didn't have the guts. If you go for it report back.

[Indydriver]

I wouldn't. These are very aggressive solvents that are severe VOC violaters. Stay away.

[axis]

A lot of the turbo import guys use run it for added octane. Not sure if it's still as popular as it once was. Never heard of a problem using it either. I'm sure you could find the mixing equation with a little google search.

[jordi cami]

Xylene is a thinner of plastidip.......
Not good for any rubber....seals...etc

[Spartan01]

Try Torco Accelerator instead. That way, atleast you can dial in the exact octane.

[serows1]

What about something like STP Octane Booster?

Paul

[Spartan01]

The problem with STP, and all the other Walmart brands is that they only tell you that they boost octane, not how much. So really all they have to do legally, and assuming that they are telling the truth is provide a botlle of 93.01 octane. that is an octane boost, even if you are running straigh 93.
Atleast with Torco, on their website they tell you how much to add for our fuel tanks.

Another thing you can do is buy unleaded race gas at many sped shops, or if there are any airstrips around you, they often sell gas up to around 140 octane or so.

[Iron Lung Jimmy]

I used to sometimes run a xylene mix in my Grand National. It works very well and I never had a problem, but I didn't do it all the time.

It's probably less corrosive than the ethanol that is already in your gasoline so in and of itself should be no problem. But raising the concentration of the "non gasoline" portion of your fuel may create issues, I don't know.

The real question is why? In a turbo car as you raise octane you can add boost so the benefit is obvious. In a Camaro it just isn't going to really do much for you unless you have mods and want to tune for 93. But then you are married to it so I wouldn't go there either.

[Spartan01]

Have you ever had someobody put low octane gas in your camaro?
Then done a fuse pull?
the difference is night & day, and clearly documented.
Granted in a turbo car, like the Grand National, octane is going to play a more significant roll, resetting the fuel map is going to give the SS a significant improvement, especially if you are modded.

[Iron Lung Jimmy]

Does 91 put it in the low octane fuel map?

[Spartan01]

I have been told that 91 would put the fuel map to the low setting, but after just checking the manual I am not so sure.
Any experts want to chime in? Apex Chase? Ted Jannetty?

According to the owners manual, page 8-44,
the V6 uses 87 or higher,
the V8 Uses 91 or higher and will benefit from 93

So, does the fuel map get reset to the low setting on 91?

[serows1]

I just checked GM's Service Information website and it states "In high performance GM vehicles that DO require Premium (91 octane or higher) fuel, you MUST use fuels of at least this octane. Use of lower octane fuel may result in reduced performance, knocking, and/or permanent engine damage not covered under the terms of the New Vehicle Warranty."

Paul

[Iam Broke]

The lower octane is a factor that can reduce the advance of the ign timing. It weights the high and low octane tables by a factor based on knock retard seen over time. It's not a simple on or off of the high octane table. It pulls advance as needed and 'learns down' between the two tables over time.

A 'fuse pull' resets it to the high octane table and it starts 'learning down' all over again. If there is no knock retard seen it stays on the high octane table.