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Octane booster

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Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 2:14 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Just some info I thought I would pass along. I don't use boosters, but some of you might?



For those who use these products here are the top two out of 11 that actually do some of what they claim. Tested by an independent lab.

Both the Nulon Pro Strength and the NF Racing Formula rated the best octane boosters in our test. And considering that less NF was needed than Nulon, it evens out a little with a slightly higher cost. Still, both proved extremely effective at increasing octane, even outranking Toluene, which needs much higher levels of concentration.



1st NF Octane Booster Racing Formula â€“ 250 ml treats 80 litres RRP: $29.95

Octane Improvement: 99.6 (+2.8 RON)

An Australian-made product from Perth, the NF Octane Booster Racing Formula was the smallest bottle in the field, but looking at the mixing ratio, also the strongest relying on an incredibly small dose â€“ a mere 3 percent! Claiming to increase octane as much as 6.0 RON , NF took the gold medal in a surprising tie. If it were a split decision based on concentration though, it would be the clear winner.



1st Nulon Pro Strength Octane Booster â€“ 500 ml treats 60 litres RRP: $20.95

Octane Improvement: 99.6 (+2.8 RON)

The Australian-made Nulon Pro Strength Octane Booster is the top of the range Nulon fuel product, claiming to boost octane â€œup to seven numberâ€. The Pro Strength gained a joint gold-medal equaling NFâ€™s 2.8RON increase.



To conduct these tests we contracted independent laboratory Intertek Testing Services, who would test our products on a â€œknock engine.â€ We also had to find a base fuel to add our boosters to so we went to the closest public petrol station, which happened to be Shell.

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:07 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Where can we get these products?



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

thesupe(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:04 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Here is my limited experience with octane boosters.  A real small gas station near me here in Mn sells in one pump what he says is 98 octane C and has been doing it for years.  Most of the local stockcar racers get their fuel from him.  In Mn you can get 91 octane with no alcohol for use in collector cars C snowmobiles C boat engines and other small engines.  (says so right on the pump)  Anyway C this guy gets the 91 octane and then mixes Justice Brothers octane booster in it to kick up the octane to 98.  He gets the booster in 15 or 20 gallon barrels.    I used a little of the fuel with no problem in my Jabiru C and just for the fun of it C and because I was wondering about any effect on my fiberglass tanks in my Avid C I dropped a few small slivers of fiberglass in a tall skinny plastic bottle I've used in the past to check for alcohol and filled it with the boosted fuel.  The next day C the fuel was leaking out of the bottom of the plastic bottle and the plastic was softening and getting like a gummy consistancy.  The fiberglass still looked okey.  I had used that bottle lots of times in the past with regular 91 octane and it never started to melt till the boosted fuel was put in it.  I drained my planes tanks and burned it up in the tractor and never used that stuff again.  I still don't know if the fiberglass would have been affected if it had sat in that stuff longer or not.  I would be carefull  with the boosters.  Jim Chuk

 

[quote] From: noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca

 To: rotaxengines-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Octane booster

 Date: Wed C 9 Dec 2009 16:34:59 -0330

 

 --> RotaxEngines-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca>

 

 Where can we get these products?

 

 Noel

 

 --

Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Octane booster

Hi Noel,



I personally don't use and I don't really think the majority of the people need boosters. I was just doing some research and came across some good research and thought I would post it since many people have talked about this subject over the years. If your fuel system can handle it then it would be fine, but as Jim suggest make sure first. 

To answer your question I do not know where you can get these two products. I would check online.

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

E. D. Eliot

Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Posts: 4
Location: Southern California - USA

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Jim - Noticed (and appreciate) your post below.  I will build an RV-12 starting some time next year.  I am not thrilled by Van's all aluminum fuel tank and am wondering what source you recommend for an alternative tank for me.  I would like a plastic? or a fiberglass? tank of about 25-30 gallons size.  Thanks for reply.  E. D. Eliot



From: thesupe(at)hotmail.com

To: rotaxengines-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: RotaxEngines-List: Octane booster

Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 21:03:48 +0000



     .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;}    Here is my limited experience with octane boosters.  A real small gas station near me here in Mn sells in one pump what he says is 98 octane, and has been doing it for years.  Most of the local stockcar racers get their fuel from him.  In Mn you can get 91 octane with no alcohol for use in collector cars, snowmobiles, boat engines and other small engines.  (says so right on the pump)  Anyway, this guy gets the 91 octane and then mixes Justice Brothers octane booster in it to kick up the octane to 98.  He gets the booster in 15 or 20 gallon barrels.    I used a little of the fuel with no problem in my Jabiru, and just for the fun of it, and because I was wondering about any effect on my fiberglass tanks in my Avid, I dropped a few small slivers of fiberglass in a tall skinny plastic bottle I've used in the past to check for alcohol and filled it with the boosted fuel.  The next day, the fuel was leaking out of the bottom of the plastic bottle and the plastic was softening and getting like a gummy consistancy.  The fiberglass still looked okey.  I had used that bottle lots of times in the past with regular 91 octane and it never started to melt till the boosted fuel was put in it.  I drained my planes tanks and burned it up in the tractor and never used that stuff again.  I still don't know if the fiberglass would have been affected if it had sat in that stuff longer or not.  I would be carefull  with the boosters.  Jim Chuk

 

[quote] From: noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca

 To: rotaxengines-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: RotaxEngines-List: Octane booster

 Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 16:34:59 -0330

 

 --> RotaxEngines-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca>

 

 Where can we get these products?

 

 Noel

 

 --

_________________
now is the good life - enjoy it

thesupe(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Sorry I don't think I can help you, I have no experience with RVs.  They have produced a lot of kits, probably more than anyone else, and I would think they have their kits pretty well figured out.  I would guess that Matronics or Yahoo groups has an RV group.  The members on there should know if the tanks are a problem and if other tanks are available.  Take care,  Jim Chuk

 

  From: gr8pugs(at)hotmail.com

To: rotaxengines-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: RotaxEngines-List: Octane booster

Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:51:53 -0800



  .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;}  Jim - Noticed (and appreciate) your post below.  I will build an RV-12 starting some time next year.  I am not thrilled by Van's all aluminum fuel tank and am wondering what source you recommend for an alternative tank for me.  I would like a plastic? or a fiberglass? tank of about 25-30 gallons size.  Thanks for reply.  E. D. Eliot



  From: thesupe(at)hotmail.com

To: rotaxengines-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: RE: RotaxEngines-List: Octane booster

Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 21:03:48 +0000



  .ExternalClass .ecxhmmessage P {padding:0px;} .ExternalClass body.ecxhmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;}  Here is my limited experience with octane boosters.  A real small gas station near me here in Mn sells in one pump what he says is 98 octane, and has been doing it for years.  Most of the local stockcar racers get their fuel from him.  In Mn you can get 91 octane with no alcohol for use in collector cars, snowmobiles, boat engines and other small engines.  (says so right on the pump)  Anyway, this guy gets the 91 octane and then mixes Justice Brothers octane booster in it to kick up the octane to 98.  He gets the booster in 15 or 20 gallon barrels.    I used a little of the fuel with no problem in my Jabiru, and just for the fun of it, and because I was wondering about any effect on my fiberglass tanks in my Avid, I dropped a few small slivers of fiberglass in a tall skinny plastic bottle I've used in the past to check for alcohol and filled it with the boosted fuel.  The next day, the fuel was leaking out of the bottom of the plastic bottle and the plastic was softening and getting like a gummy consistancy.  The fiberglass still looked okey.  I had used that bottle lots of times in the past with regular 91 octane and it never started to melt till the boosted fuel was put in it.  I drained my planes tanks and burned it up in the tractor and never used that stuff again.  I still don't know if the fiberglass would have been affected if it had sat in that stuff longer or not.  I would be carefull  with the boosters.  Jim Chuk

 

[quote] From: noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca

 To: rotaxengines-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: RotaxEngines-List: Octane booster

 Date: Wed, 9 Dec 2009 16:34:59 -0330

 

 --> RotaxEngines-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys" <noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca>

 

 Where can we get these products?

 

 Noel

 

 --

lgold(at)quantum-associat
Guest

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Has anyone out there used octane boosters in their 912s? I'm wondering if

they do anything nasty to our engines or fuel systems, or if you the timing

on the 912 would need to change?

Les



--

lucien

Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 721
Location: santa fe, NM

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:20 am Post subject: Re: Octane booster

 	  lgold(at)quantum-associat wrote: 	
		  Has anyone out there used octane boosters in their 912s? I'm wondering if

they do anything nasty to our engines or fuel systems, or if you the timing

on the 912 would need to change?

Les



-- 	




JMO, but I'm a strong believer in only putting into our engines fluids they were designed to take in and nothing else. At 20 large plus a pop, I wouldn't necessarily like to experiment with new chemicals in a 912 series engine.... 



As for octane boosters, I can't see why you'd ever need to use them. The 912ULS is the only one that requires 91 octane at least and that's met by just regular premium pump gas. The rest are all fine with 87, which is just regular pump gas. 10% ethanol has been approved by Rotax also, and folks have been using it in the engines for years anyway. So ethanol is a known quantity with relatively well known precautions you have to take on the fuel system.



So I personally would avoid them. If you can't get premium pump gas, you can always mix with 100LL to get the octane up to where it needs to be....



LS

_________________
LS
Titan II SS

Roger Lee

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1464
Location: Tucson, Az.

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:56 am Post subject: Re: Octane booster

I agree with Lucien

_________________
Roger Lee
Tucson, Az.
Rotax Instructor & Rotax IRC
Light Sport Repairman
Home 520-574-1080 TRY HOME FIRST
Cell 520-349-7056

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Jim And Roger:



Thanks for the opinions.  I feel to be very lucky to be living in a place

where they don't put any ethanol in our gas.  A couple of years ago one ship

load of ethanol laced gas actually made it to our shores but the end result

was the ship immediately had to go for refit.  I don't think they will do

that again.  It is beyond me how they will ever get the quantity of alcohol

here for use as a fuel.  



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: Octane booster

Some of the guys who have to run the E-10 have been finding the Ethanol

dissolves their fuel tanks.  When you get the yellow goo in your carb you

may find the 912 doesn't like it!



Noel

--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

lucien

Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 721
Location: santa fe, NM

Posted: Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Octane booster

 	  Float Flyr wrote: 	
		  Some of the guys who have to run the E-10 have been finding the Ethanol

dissolves their fuel tanks.  When you get the yellow goo in your carb you

may find the 912 doesn't like it!



Noel

-- 	




Another thing that happens is any varnish or other deposits left behind by gas are dissolved and cleaned out by the ethanol. So if your system isn't already clean, the dissolved debris can make it up to the filter, or into the carbys and the engine.... stopping or slowing the prop....



So you have to make sure the whole system is clean before switching over to E10 and eagle-eye the fuel filter on pre/post flight for a while after you switch.



I use a large clear paper fuel filter (no, I won't participate in the fuel filter thread again ), rather than the recommended small ones with the rock-like or screen elements. This way, the extra size and filter area gives me a fighting chance to catch any clogging on pre and post flight before it actually plugs up and kills the engine. The little filters clog in a NYC second, but the big ones take a while and hopefully you arrive at your destination before it plugs completely up.....



LS

_________________
LS
Titan II SS

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject: Octane booster

I think and I may be wrong, that if you never leave fuel sitting in your

plane then you will have little to worry about in the dissolving the tanks

department.  However defueling after every flight could be a pain!



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

aa5flyer(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:58 am Post subject: Octane booster

Hi,



I'm new to this list, but know of two guys (snowbirds) on our airpark in 

Florida that drain their tanks and run a limited amount of 100LL through 

their 912s for summer storage (5-6 months).  They claim 100LL will not 

deteriorate the fuel system as with the autofuel they normally use.  Seems 

to work.



Tim White

Rans S-6 (in work), Rotax 912



---

lucien

Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 721
Location: santa fe, NM

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Octane booster

 	  Float Flyr wrote: 	
		  I think and I may be wrong, that if you never leave fuel sitting in your

plane then you will have little to worry about in the dissolving the tanks

department.  However defueling after every flight could be a pain!



Noel



-- 	




JMO, but my tactic is to simply consider leaving E10 sitting the plane to be not good period. What I do during the down periods (spring, summer) is drain the tank after about a week and half or so. If it's going to be sitting longer than that I'll drain completely and refill with 100LL. I'll run the motor a bit to get the E10 out of the float bowls and lines also.



I've found 100LL keeps a lot better when sitting that autogas. And I wouldn't like E10 to sit for any period of time at all due to moisture retention, etc.



LS

_________________
LS
Titan II SS

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