ACETONE?? In the gas tank???

[PlasmaBomb]

Cool info ZV.

Mrblotto - you could use xylene since its octane rating is 117.

Toluene has a RON octane rating of 121 and a MON rating of 107, leading to a (R+M)/2 rating of 114. Is that right for octane ratings in the US?

Toluene is denser than ordinary gasoline (0.87 g/mL vs. 0.72-0.74) and contains more energy per unit volume. Thus combustion of toluene leads to more energy being liberated and thus more power generated. This is in contrast to oxygenated octane boosters like ethanol or MTBE which contain less energy per unit volume compared to gasoline.

From the corvette forums -

Now, Xylene tends to be a bit "dry" so, long term exposure could possibly affect some seal materials which is why some folks add a bit of lubricant (like MMO) to Xylene.

Interestingly acetones octane rating is 150...

 

[PlasmaBomb]

The acetone octane rating is unconfirmed...

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It won't increase mileage, but you can add up to about 20% Toluene (available in 5-gallon buckets at paint supply stores since it is also used to remove paint) to your gasoline to increase the octane. Toluene has an octane rating of about 103, but cannot be used in 100% concentrations. If you blend it at 20% it's safe to use and will raise the octane of the entire mixture.

At 80% 91 Octane and 20% Toluene you would get a mixture that is 93.4 Octane after blending. In California where people typically cannot get above 91 Octane, this can be helpful. Obviously, use this at your own risk.

ZV

In what circumstances or with what vehicles would a person need 93.4 Octane? Higher compression engines?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: RU482

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
It won't increase mileage, but you can add up to about 20% Toluene (available in 5-gallon buckets at paint supply stores since it is also used to remove paint) to your gasoline to increase the octane. Toluene has an octane rating of about 103, but cannot be used in 100% concentrations. If you blend it at 20% it's safe to use and will raise the octane of the entire mixture.

At 80% 91 Octane and 20% Toluene you would get a mixture that is 93.4 Octane after blending. In California where people typically cannot get above 91 Octane, this can be helpful. Obviously, use this at your own risk.

ZV

In what circumstances or with what vehicles would a person need 93.4 Octane? Higher compression engines?

Well, in my case there could be 18-20 pounds per square inch of reasons.

On 91 octane I can run 16 PSI in my car's engine without risking detonation. Higher octane will allow more boost. Similarly, high-compression engines can benefit as well.

In truth though, this only comes into play with custom builds or modifications because cars sold for public consumptions will typically not have any ability in their ECU to take advantage of octanes higher than 91 (since 91 is the lowest "premium" it's what most manufacturers program for since it's the best that can be "guaranteed").

ZV