Octane booster, what works? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2015ghost · 09-20-2018, 03:39 PM

What have you used or do you currently use? Please save the “Just buy premium in the first place” comments. Not all fules are available everywhere.

Terryfied · 09-20-2018, 04:26 PM

Good question, I've been wondering the same. I've added Lucas brand and didn't really notice a difference. I think you would need to tune for the increased octane but wonder if the computer will eventually sense it and advance the timing. My nephew swears by adding toluene. It's much cheaper but I've heard it's very corrosive so I haven't tried it. Good topic, hopefully someone in the know will chime in.

JerTM · 09-20-2018, 04:54 PM

I doubt there is much in the line of power increase, but knock reduction may be possible with them. Just be careful about the label, they often list it in "points" that .1 octane, so you would need 10 pts to get a one octane increase.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 09-20-2018, 04:54 PM

My builder tuner uses Torco when needed.. . I don't use it anymore as I only run C16, but I used it quite a bit at one time....

I carried some with me when we held the Camaro Fest in Phoenix.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 09-20-2018, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

I doubt there is much in the line of power increase, but knock reduction may be possible with them.

Correct, It did not allow for adding timing, it just reduced the loss of timing from knock....

InFiD3ViL · 09-20-2018, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

My builder tuner uses Torco when needed.. . I don't use it anymore as I only run C16, but I used it quite a bit at one time....

I carried some with me when we held the Camaro Fest in Phoenix.

Is that leaded? (C16)

KansasSS · 09-20-2018, 05:05 PM

Eventually running leaded race gas will clog your 02 sensors and will need to be replaced.

*SSE 4 2SS* · 09-20-2018, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

Is that leaded? (C16)

Yes it is leaded.... I don't have CATS and I change O2 sensors quite frequently....

My car is way more race car than street car.... I might drive it 50 - 100 miles a year on the street.... from my house to a gathering a few miles to and from.....

10.5:1 compression ratio and 27-35 lbs of boost.... I only run C16

Rock-It Man · 09-20-2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerTM

I doubt there is much in the line of power increase, but knock reduction may be possible with them. Just be careful about the label, they often list it in "points" that .1 octane, so you would need 10 pts to get a one octane increase.

Exactly. Octane boosters at your local Auto Zone are BS and they use deceptive labeling as well.

If you want serious octane boost, race gas is the way to go. You can't legally put it directly from the pump into a street registered car, but you can fill gas cans to your heart's content or buy it in drums.

There is both leaded and unleaded race gas available from VP Racing Fuels. If you have owned a high compression muscle car from 1970 or earlier, you know that blending 5 gallons of 110 Octane race gas with 10 gallons of premium unleaded pump gas is a kick in the ass.

CamaroDreams76 · 09-20-2018, 07:19 PM

I used to buy some Sunoco GT+ or something like that. Was 100 octane. I'd throw it in every now an then. Torco also works but it turns everything orange......pistons, valves, cats, spark plugs, if exhaust gases touch it....its orange.

PROZ11 · 09-21-2018, 09:18 AM

Not really advertised as an "octane booster" but I've heard this stuff is great. And won't damage O2 sensors.

http://race-gas.com/

.

SynergyGreenSS · 09-21-2018, 12:28 PM

Torco accelerator WORKS. I use it in late 60’s and early 70’s muscle cars to help with knock reduction in the summer. They really seem to like it and respond well

silversleeper · 09-21-2018, 03:37 PM

Your sig says bone stock so none needed. If you go forced induction and need octane flex fuel e85 is the best route. DSX kit is a fairly economical and easy install.
Race gas isn't bad it's just expensive and a hassle especially for a weekend driver.

I kick myself for buying that 104+ Octane booster do nothing but drain your wallet back in the day. Torco is the most recommended now that actually does something.

1Coopgt · 09-21-2018, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2015ghost

What have you used or do you currently use? Please save the “Just buy premium in the first place” comments. Not all fules are available everywhere.

Fuels.

09-20-2018, 03:39 PM	#1
2015ghost Drives: 2015 2SS Stock Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 73	Octane booster, what works? What have you used or do you currently use? Please save the “Just buy premium in the first place” comments. Not all fules are available everywhere. __________________ 2015 2SS auto. AGP twin turbo, LS9 cam, BTR 660 springs, LS9 Gaskets, ARP studs, 400lph UPP fuel system, MBRP XP 3” cat back, 305/30 Micky Thompson Sport comp tires. 12” Fockford fosgate P1, Rockford Fosgate 600w amp.

09-20-2018, 04:26 PM	#2
Terryfied Drives: 2010 2SS L99 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Enumclaw, WA. Posts: 202 View My Garage	Good question, I've been wondering the same. I've added Lucas brand and didn't really notice a difference. I think you would need to tune for the increased octane but wonder if the computer will eventually sense it and advance the timing. My nephew swears by adding toluene. It's much cheaper but I've heard it's very corrosive so I haven't tried it. Good topic, hopefully someone in the know will chime in. Last edited by Terryfied; 09-20-2018 at 04:55 PM.

09-20-2018, 04:54 PM	#4
SSE 4 2SS Boosted Moderator Drives: Bone Stock LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Marion Tx Posts: 15,484	My builder tuner uses Torco when needed.. . I don't use it anymore as I only run C16, but I used it quite a bit at one time.... I carried some with me when we held the Camaro Fest in Phoenix. __________________ If the car feels like it is on rails, you are probably driving too slow. -Ross Bentley Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you. “If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti If you can turn, you ain't going fast enough...

09-20-2018, 07:19 PM	#10
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,076 View My Garage	I used to buy some Sunoco GT+ or something like that. Was 100 octane. I'd throw it in every now an then. Torco also works but it turns everything orange......pistons, valves, cats, spark plugs, if exhaust gases touch it....its orange. __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

09-21-2018, 09:18 AM	#11
PROZ11 Drives: 2012 RS/2SS, 69 ProStreet Camaro Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: North NJ Posts: 478	Not really advertised as an "octane booster" but I've heard this stuff is great. And won't damage O2 sensors. http://race-gas.com/ . __________________

09-20-2018, 04:54 PM	#3
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,940	I doubt there is much in the line of power increase, but knock reduction may be possible with them. Just be careful about the label, they often list it in "points" that .1 octane, so you would need 10 pts to get a one octane increase.

09-20-2018, 05:05 PM	#7
KansasSS Drives: 2011 Black 2SS Non RS L99 Auto Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 125	Eventually running leaded race gas will clog your 02 sensors and will need to be replaced.

09-21-2018, 12:28 PM	#12
SynergyGreenSS Drives: 2011 2SS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 1,333	Torco accelerator WORKS. I use it in late 60’s and early 70’s muscle cars to help with knock reduction in the summer. They really seem to like it and respond well __________________ 2011 SS L99 LSA Supercharger, BTR Stage 3 PDS Cam, Yank 3200SS, Weapon X Stage 2 intake, LSA Heads, Flex Fuel, Ported throttle body, Speed Engineering Headers, NOWEEDS, ZL1 fuel pump, DSX AUX Pump, ID-1050X injectors, 3” pipe to NPP mufflers, 3.91 gears

09-21-2018, 03:37 PM	#13
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,485	Your sig says bone stock so none needed. If you go forced induction and need octane flex fuel e85 is the best route. DSX kit is a fairly economical and easy install. Race gas isn't bad it's just expensive and a hassle especially for a weekend driver. I kick myself for buying that 104+ Octane booster do nothing but drain your wallet back in the day. Torco is the most recommended now that actually does something.