[BMWtight2me]

Looking into new ways of further improving my n20s performance. The debate now is e85 (40% blend), or either the bms or afe meth kit. I'm leaning toward the meth kit out of convenience (and I've heard it works wonders with the 320 compression).

But in the meantime... Anyone experiment with Octane Boosters? I've heard mixed things. Mainly that they aren't very effective -- only adding a few points of octane at best. However, when running 91 octane vs say 93 octane or even 100 octane, my ignition timing consistency growth is amazing. The 320i, being slightly higher compression clearly loves the high octane. The 93 octane blend hits a real sweet spot on map 2, and I'm hoping I can fill up with 91 and add a bottle of some Octane boost with MTT. If it can safely manage to get me even two extra points of octane, that would be a cheaper way of achieving a 93 blend without having to mix 91 octane with a few $10 gallons of 100 octane.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Any brands to look out for or avoid? Is there a certain amount that should be used per tank or a certain grade/quality? Any risks (fuel pump issues, etc.)?

Some of these brands are as cheap as $3 a pop! Would be a great solution if it's R E A L.

Thanks in advance, I noticed this topic was discussed a couple times already. I saw mike said a few helpful suggestions, but I haven't been able to get a clear picture of which brands are safe to buy, and how much to use. I think those of us stuck with 91 could really benefit from this.
wishful thinking

[nicknaz]

Mixing the 100 octane has been the only reliable way I've found

[BMWtight2me]

Any potential harm in trying out a bottle of the octane boost? Even raising it a point would help ignition timing...

I mix in a few gallons of 100 octane every third or so fill up. Keeps it peppier in general. Still a bottle of OB per fill up would be cheaper.

[donkey]

You could try moving to a state without shitty gas

[rking117]

Originally Posted by drive335

You could try moving to a state without shitty gas

Where is that Dubai?

[Wires]

Most octane boosters only raise octane 20 points (that's 2 on the octane scale). So a 91 goes to 93 with a bottle of booster. For the cost, its vastly more expensive than just filling up with 93 to start with though.

I wouldn't expect that much difference in power gains from 91 to 93 octane though. Keep in mind adding more timing doesn't make more power. Higher octane burns less aggressively, so more timing is needed for a complete burn, and doesn't necessarily net more power.

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by Wires

Most octane boosters only raise octane 20 points (that's 2 on the octane scale). So a 91 goes to 93 with a bottle of booster. For the cost, its vastly more expensive than just filling up with 93 to start with though.

I wouldn't expect that much difference in power gains from 91 to 93 octane though. Keep in mind adding more timing doesn't make more power. Higher octane burns less aggressively, so more timing is needed for a complete burn, and doesn't necessarily net more power.

Nice. That helps a lot.

I definitely notice the logs look smoother or more consistent with 93 vs 91. Since I have no access to 93, it's seeming like the bottle of OB could be cheaper than blending in a few gallons of 100 oct at $10 bucks a gal.

Wdyt? Reliable? Safe? Close to just pulling the trigger on the meth kit (prob most convenient) or the newer jb4 with ft wires for e85.

Appreciate the advice.

[goj]

15 gallons of 100 octane should do!

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by goj

15 gallons of 100 octane should do!

lmao. I did it the other... day 14 gallons, $140. Awesome gains though.

So which meth kit should I get (!!!) or is there an argument for e85 instead?

[CalCarNut]

lol.Ouch. There's a station on my way to my office that sells 100oct. Been afraid to pull in and the sticker shock after..lol.

[Wires]

When you check the logs, does it show timing being pulled? If it's detecting knock, it would be pulling timing, which would result in a reduction of power.

[GPM]

If you do a search on octane boosters those using them tend to favor Torco. 12 oz to 15 gallons should raise your 91 to 93. I've used it occasionally in a couple of cars with no adverse effects. I believe it will leave a red/orange residue on your plugs and some say you should change them more often if you're going to use it all the time.

[eluded]

Octane boosters don't work. Mix higher octane

[CIWS]

If you're going to use one Torco is one of the best. But don't expect more than two or three octane increase. Plus it's really not meant to be used all the time. If you really want to keep your fuel increased that much/often I'd start trying to find someone who will order you a 55 gallon drum of race gas which would be cheaper than buying it by the gallon from a pump station.

[BMWtight2me]

Originally Posted by CIWS

If you're going to use one Torco is one of the best. But don't expect more than two or three octane increase. Plus it's really not meant to be used all the time. If you really want to keep your fuel increased that much/often I'd start trying to find someone who will order you a 55 gallon drum of race gas which would be cheaper than buying it by the gallon from a pump station.

Interesting. I'll try torco. Thanks.

Won't be goin the 100 oct route except mainly for track days. Long term... Meth kit seems like the call.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

The points are not 91 to 93. Its 91 to 91.3 Buy bulk toluene from Home Depot, Lowes. hardware store of paint store. Toluene is the primary booster in the Boosters. If you can't get Toluene get Xylene.

Use it at a 10 - 20 - 30% rate. 30% would be about 4.5 gallons to 15 gallons of gas. Each 10% will raise the octane 2 full points.

Still back to basics I always use 100 octane either in a mix or straight. E85 + 92 up to about 40% is another choice.

All of the above said a 320 is less likely to be able to handle as much over boost as a 328/330.

[ouengineer]

E85 mix. Hands down the best, cheapest, easiest way to make more power. IF you can reliably tune for it.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

The points are not 91 to 93. Its 91 to 91.3 Buy bulk toluene from Home Depot, Lowes. hardware store of paint store. Toluene is the primary booster in the Boosters. If you can't get Toluene get Xylene. .

I look into this and into ordering race gas drums. I backed off due to the fear of keeping that much flammable substance in the garage

In the end, I decide it was easier to just mix in 3 gallons of 100 octane for every 10 gallons of 91. Cost was about $15 more per tank than just filling up with 91

[FSociety]

If you can't get E85 at nearby station, do Meth Injection with Boostjuice!

Recent youtube guys TheTuningSchool tested every Fuel & Liquid Injection Test.

[TheHouseWon]

Anyone use toluene? Does it hurt o2 sensors, injectors, or plugs?? What about fuel pump and seals?

[BEAR-AvHistory]

This is a Euro RON rating so figure the base is 91 USA. Most anyone using a booster is running toluene. Question is what percentage is safe. Its generally run between 10% & 30% when used straight up. Chart is a 20% mix.

Can't help on the seals, gaskets, parts etc. I mix 100 & 93 when I need more octane. The point of the exercise is most boosters suck & the few that do anything are very very expensive.

[TheHouseWon]

Just checked and it's cheaper (safer?) to mix 100 octane than toulene.

1:3 ratio of 100:91 gets you just over 93.