Octane boosters

[Funkstar]

As some may know, I'm off to Africa in a crap car.

We are expecting to find some pretty rubbish fuel on our route so we were looking at some octane boosters.

Anyone used octane boosters before for this?

The 15g pack at the bottom of this page looks pretty good:
http://www.lkperformancestyling.co.u...erbooster.html

[Konan555]

As some may know, I'm off to Africa in a crap car.

We are expecting to find some pretty rubbish fuel on our route so we were looking at some octane boosters.

Or, to look at it another way, look for a car you can adjust the timing on? I can actually set my Ford management system back to use low grade fuels, I'd assume the same can be done with a few other cars?

[Funkstar]

Or, to look at it another way, look for a car you can adjust the timing on? I can actually set my Ford management system back to use low grade fuels, I'd assume the same can be done with a few other cars?

We have the car is a 25 year old Renault 5.

Assuming we could adjust the timing, wouldn't we need to do it on every re-fuel? One tank full could be a load of rubbish, the next could be pretty decent.

http://forums.hexus.net/general-disc...fool-tank.html

[Konan555]

On the 5 it should be just winding the dizzy back a few degrees, non?

If you retard the timing to compensate for poor fuel you can always run better fuel in it without issues. The downside is you're permanently running at reduced performance, the upside is you don't have to experience pinking to prompt you to treat the fuel or carry the additive about.

[Zak33]

I'd use octane booster anyway, cos if you get the timing wrong, it's gonnas overheat like a wok... and it'll cook a head gasket. Don't forget, pinking causes all sorts of weird burn out issues.

So yeah...octane booster is good idea if you have the room.

[Funkstar]

Tablets or liquid Zak?

Are those generic ones in bulk pack ok?

[Flibb]

You can do diy ocatne boosters, a friend uses it in his motorbike.
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/misc/octanebooster.html

the easiets to get booster is IMS, you can buy it from the chemist. Treat it as ethanol.

[Zak33]

Only ever used liquid myself so can't comment on tablets.... I uised to use stuff from a jetskii shop for my old riva...

[Guy]

A few times before I've had to use some as the 200 was getting short on fuel and I couldnt find a Shell or at a push a Tesco with 99, usually there is an emergency bottle left in it if ever I get caught short. I use the Millers stuff, but that might be a little overkill for a renault 5!

Never had any experience with the tablets mind.

[Konan555]

if you get the timing wrong, it's gonnas overheat like a wok...

Erm... don't get it wrong?

Or take a few degrees off AND carry home brew polish vodka... I mean Octane booster

I'm just all for setting a car up to run right over additives unless it's an emergency.

Ran my wee Skoda on a petrol / red diesel mix for ages with it set up on the 89 map. Once you find the lowest grade and get it set, putting regular 95 back in runs just fine, just sluggish.

[Funkstar]

A few times before I've had to use some as the 200 was getting short on fuel and I couldnt find a Shell or at a push a Tesco with 99, usually there is an emergency bottle left in it if ever I get caught short. I use the Millers stuff, but that might be a little overkill for a renault 5!

Never had any experience with the tablets mind.

Thats actually a good idea for my Golf as well. Never thought of that

It's a pain that only Tesco do 98+ which is recommended for the GTI.

[Konan555]

It's a pain that only Tesco do 98+ which is recommended for the GTI.

You have to watch that Tesco stuff as it can potentially have an appitite for seals in the fuel system. Pretty sure you're OK with a dub as, IIRC, their stuff is all ready to take biofuel.

[Guy]

It's a pain that only Tesco do 98+ which is recommended for the GTI.

Shell V-Power is 99 . . . Its what the 200 was mapped on, Tesco's super is ok if theres no Shell nearby.

[Funkstar]

Shell V-Power is 99 . . . Its what the 200 was mapped on, Tesco's super is ok if theres no Shell nearby.

Do shell have a 97 Super as well? I may have become confused in the past and thought that was the highest they did.

[Guy]

I dont think so, afaik its normal unleaded, then V-Power which is 99.

[Funkstar]

Oh well, probably me just getting confused then