Hey guys, I am seriously considering using toluene or Xylene for an octane booster but was woundering if it would seperate from the gasoline in your gas tank if u let it sit for a couple days. My evo isn't my daily driver but can be used often then left for a couple days. Should i try to do some make believe auto x in a parkin lot to mix it up after it has been resting for a couple days?

 

Easy way to find out instead of in the fuel tank, take some gas in a glass (or test tube), add your desired cocktail in question, stir and cover. Leave it for a few hours, preferably overnight. If whatever concoction you make is / has the preference to settle out of solution, you should see it separate from the gasoline.

 

Has anyone actualyl attempted the usage of this method?

 

I've done it. Check this thread https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...hlight=toluene

 

Ran a gallon of Xylene in a full tank... biggest thing I noticed was that the car ran smoother, gas mileage went up 3 to 4 mpg, and the car didn't have a "flat day". In other words, sometimes your car "feels" stronger than others. It just says strong when running Xylene. I'll try running 2.8 gallons (20%) and see how she runs then.

 

arent you guys worried about prematurely fouling out your o2 sensors? there not cheap.

 

...no, read the links on the subject.

 

Hey All:

I've read this thread with great interest.

Took the plunge yesterday and bought a gallon from Sherwin Willimas ($9). I added it to a half tank of (91 octane Cali) gas giving about 8:1 gas / toluene ratio and boosting my octane to around a 93.5 rating.

Haven't had a chance to go nuts in the car yet, but initial impressions are favorable. I don't have any mods on my car, completely stock and virginal, but I noticed a greater willingness to rev smoothly and a better boost hold at higher rpm. All subjective of course but I was trying to be as critical as possible.

I've got a commute on Monday (around 120 miles round trip) on roads I know and love. That should give me a better perspective on things.

More later, but so far I'm leaning towards a thumbs up - maybe not for every day driving but for those special occasions.

Thanks all for the postings so far, great info as always.


- Nellie

 

My take is that this thread is to gather information, and that most of those who are reading it are somewhat inexpereinced at hot rodding. Why not contact your local 76 wholesaler and purchase 98 octane unleaded. There is no speculatation on what these cars are intended to run on. I called the factory myself using the vin number of my vehicle and identifying myself, I was able to get through to customer technical service. No additives are factory approved, the car is designed to run on 98 octane as stated in our owners manual. I could not get the research and motor octane numbers from the girl I spoke as she relate what she pulled up from her data base.

In addition to warranty issues, the Benzine derivitives being mentioned on this thread are expensive. Remember that these cars are hard on their oil and putting solvents in your fuel will not help. Case in point, I used to have to add techroline (standard oil's additive) to my BMW 325e to keep the injectors clean (factory bullitin, not some hack myth), I needed to change my oil twice as often to make sure the oil wasn't broken down by the additive. Given the cost of Mobile 1 and the very steep costs of the solvents being discussed here I think you can see the wisdom of simply using the higher octane gasoline.

 

I think the 98 rating is rated differently than the USDM octane ratings.

 

When I lived in Tacoma, Wa. I had my T-Bird tuned using 92 octane gas. When I would go to Cali. to visit family in Fresno and LA I used toluene to juice the gas up so it wouldn't ping at anything over 3/4 throttle (no knock sensors to pull timing). Most paint supply specialty stores carry it. It does stay mixed and won't evaporate any faster than the gas it's mixed in plus it didn't hurt the O2 sensors. I give it
BMan
The Bird is my other car

 

Wildrice:

I know what you're saying and I've been reading anything and everything I can on toluene / xylene to boost octane - not just on this board but the 'net in general.

My conclusion was that it is safe to use in moderate proportions, i.e. to obtain an octane rating of between 93 - 94. This would mean a ratio of 11:1 of 91 octane gas to xylene and a ratio of 10.75:1.25 of 91 octane gas to toluene. Given that our cars in stock tune will not benefit from anything greater than 94 octane gas, these numbers and ratios made sense to me.

Now to the fun part - what have I experienced from boosting my octane rating using this method? Well, my car is stock and unmodified in any way and living in Northern California all I can get is 91 octane gas. Adding toluene / xylene has definetly been beneficial. The engine pulls more smoothly and strongly from 0 - 7200 rpm, most particularly in the higher range. The 'plateau' or dull spot at around 5200 rpm is no longer present.

It simply feels, I think, as it should on the octane rated gas it is designed to use. There are downsides to handling either of the chemicals, but proper precations are easy to take (i.e. gloves, a decent funnel, plenty of ventilation, etc.) and no more onerous than say handling brake fluid.

Give it a go. If you're worried about longer term side effects, don't use it with every tank full.

 

I used to run a Xylene/91 octane combo in my Z and the car actually performed much better and had better fuel economy. Once I work my finances out I'm going to start using that combo again in the Evo.

 

http://www.need4speedpower.com/torco.html

i have been using it for my 2G back then, works great.

 

I have used Xylene in my 96 GST with a big 16G pushing 19psi. It kept my EGT's down a bit. Seemed to me like the car ran like it was cool out but infact it was a hot day. It was a while ago so I don't remember what the exact mixture was but you must add a little oil to the mixture as Xylene will dry things up. Not sure on the name of the oil, it isn't motor oil. Something Mystery oil i believe not sure.... Xylene Does work!

P.S. Just don't go and buy Xylene from Home Depot with a 5 gallon gas can and fertilizer..... You may get some funny looks. Maybe even a denied sale. LOL