octane booster- worth it or waste of money - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ZenitramSS · 11-20-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRGOODWRENCH3

The Lucas Octane booster does work.

I use it all the time when I go to the track and I'm a believer too!

StellarAuto · 11-20-2011, 10:08 AM

It's a VERY GOOD idea to run a cleaner (like techron) in GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engines. I solely do Lexus/Toyota and our IS250 (GDI) runs @ 2300 psi fuel injectors. Because of valve overlap (intake valve open during compression stroke and exhaust valve open during exhaust stroke) carbon builds up on the back side of the valve where it 'seats' (hence the name) to the head. We use BG CF5 every 5k mi. oil change to help prevent this. BTW GM top engine cleaner is awesome and doesn't need to be used more than every 50k mi. We (again) use BG induction service @ 90k mi., sometimes more as needed for our 10% ethanol gas we have here (CRAP!). HTH.

OrangeVert · 11-20-2011, 10:13 AM

Very helpful thread, never knew about Techron.

TJ91 · 11-20-2011, 11:36 AM

Wish I knew about it earlier. My car is sitting at 25000km right now.

StellarAuto · 11-20-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ91

Wish I knew about it earlier. My car is sitting at 25000km right now.

It's like they say about investing ; it's never to late to start!

CWI · 11-20-2011, 01:09 PM

You said you would rather rely on members feedback rather than Google. You will get a hundred different opinions from members where you can get the real explanation from Google.

I don't make the gas but do work in the refineries that make gas. Octane does not automatically translate into more power. The only way you gain power from higher octane is that it slows down the burn rate allowing higher compression and more aggressive tuning like timing spark advancement without knock. It allows the gas to burn while the piston is on the down stroke rather than all burning while the piston is TDC.

As for the additives people speak of, you may get some cleanig benefit from some additives, not much else. I don't use them. Most gas these days burn a lot cleaner without leaving deposits like the leaded fuels of old. I run my car at higher RPMs sometimes which helps burn out deposits also.

Areas of the country that have different Octane gas available, is usually due to EPA standards to adjust for the climate in that particular region. Gas is actually refined differently in different regions for environmental requirements. California gas vs. Texas gas will have a slightly different chemical make up like the amounts of hectane, benzene, naphtha, etc.

blackswan · 11-22-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrming

actually, for V6 guys, without catch-cans, you can end up with more than just air on the top... some of the V6's suck an awful lot of oil.

and of course that is the major concern with DI. There is no gas washing over the intake valves to keep them clean, and the nasty oil you are sucking in will build up on the intake valves and causes issues...

Good to know, thanks.

Only problem is Techron is sprayed right onto the valve in non-GDI engines. With GDI I tend to wonder if there's less benefit for valve deposits because of the lack of direct contact with the backside of the valve (but still provides other benefits).

Dasein · 11-22-2011, 12:37 PM

From what I hear, there's actually a decrease in horsepower when using an octane booster. At least from some video I once saw of a car on a dyno. Also, the chemistry of refining oil is a bit more complicated than simply putting in a "booster". Most of those things are scams.

StellarAuto · 11-22-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackswan

Good to know, thanks.

Only problem is Techron is sprayed right onto the valve in non-GDI engines. With GDI I tend to wonder if there's less benefit for valve deposits because of the lack of direct contact with the backside of the valve (but still provides other benefits).

There is more benefit for GDI. Because of the valve overlap and higher combustion chamber temps, the vapors literally 'bake' on the back side of the valves quicker than normal FI.

insomniac2k2 · 11-26-2011, 02:55 PM

Well I drove my car off the lot with a nice 87 octane fillup. It lost power pretty fast. I filled up with 91 and ran a whole tank. No change. I then filled up with 91 again and added a half of a bottle of Lucas. It made a huge difference.

Next mission to to start pulling some fuses!

11-20-2011, 10:08 AM	#30
StellarAuto Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 193 View My Garage	It's a VERY GOOD idea to run a cleaner (like techron) in GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engines. I solely do Lexus/Toyota and our IS250 (GDI) runs @ 2300 psi fuel injectors. Because of valve overlap (intake valve open during compression stroke and exhaust valve open during exhaust stroke) carbon builds up on the back side of the valve where it 'seats' (hence the name) to the head. We use BG CF5 every 5k mi. oil change to help prevent this. BTW GM top engine cleaner is awesome and doesn't need to be used more than every 50k mi. We (again) use BG induction service @ 90k mi., sometimes more as needed for our 10% ethanol gas we have here (CRAP!). HTH. __________________ Going as fast as my accountant will let me!

11-20-2011, 10:13 AM	#31
OrangeVert "Catharine" Drives: '11 2SS/RS LS-3 IOM/IO vert Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Southern NH Posts: 2,132	Very helpful thread, never knew about Techron. __________________

11-20-2011, 11:36 AM	#32
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,033	Wish I knew about it earlier. My car is sitting at 25000km right now. __________________ CAMARO Consult your doctor before taking Camaro Side effects include Sudden increase in Heart Rate, Insomnia and occasional hallucinations If you experience Permagrin exceeding 4 hours after taking Camaro, seek immediate Camaro5 Help CAMARO Bringing excitment back into the Garage

11-20-2011, 01:09 PM	#34
CWI Helping Build America Drives: 2010 2SS/RS,LS3 2013 Duramax 3500HD Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Freeport LPG Export Posts: 3,839 View My Garage	You said you would rather rely on members feedback rather than Google. You will get a hundred different opinions from members where you can get the real explanation from Google. I don't make the gas but do work in the refineries that make gas. Octane does not automatically translate into more power. The only way you gain power from higher octane is that it slows down the burn rate allowing higher compression and more aggressive tuning like timing spark advancement without knock. It allows the gas to burn while the piston is on the down stroke rather than all burning while the piston is TDC. As for the additives people speak of, you may get some cleanig benefit from some additives, not much else. I don't use them. Most gas these days burn a lot cleaner without leaving deposits like the leaded fuels of old. I run my car at higher RPMs sometimes which helps burn out deposits also. Areas of the country that have different Octane gas available, is usually due to EPA standards to adjust for the climate in that particular region. Gas is actually refined differently in different regions for environmental requirements. California gas vs. Texas gas will have a slightly different chemical make up like the amounts of hectane, benzene, naphtha, etc. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit, what a ride!"

11-22-2011, 12:37 PM	#36
Dasein Drives: 2011 CGM 1LT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 224	From what I hear, there's actually a decrease in horsepower when using an octane booster. At least from some video I once saw of a car on a dyno. Also, the chemistry of refining oil is a bit more complicated than simply putting in a "booster". Most of those things are scams. Last edited by Dasein; 11-22-2011 at 09:07 PM.

11-26-2011, 02:55 PM	#38
insomniac2k2 Drives: 2012 2SS/RS IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Concord, Ca Posts: 204	Well I drove my car off the lot with a nice 87 octane fillup. It lost power pretty fast. I filled up with 91 and ran a whole tank. No change. I then filled up with 91 again and added a half of a bottle of Lucas. It made a huge difference. Next mission to to start pulling some fuses!

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