... I was curious about maybe creating a little extra boost for a stock engine. I read that adding a gallon of toluene to the fuel can boost the power a good bit. (I do have the actual formulas for figuring correct octane mixtures)
... Is it safe from time to time to do this to a stock 350 chevy engine with swirl port heads?
... I have a set of 300 horse heads that I eventually plan to use when I do a rebuild but for now they are stock heads and a stock engine.
... Also what would be the most octane that I would want to run in a stock 350?
... Would I need to advance or retard the timing any and how much?
... I eventually want build a stoker 383 and put in my 63 truck and am willing to try it but just want to know what to expect. I asked here because I know in the Nascar section there is some people that are well qualified to answer this question?
Merry Christmas
2007-12-24 04:22:25 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Auto Racing ➔ NASCAR
Bow-Leg Im a Chevy person but I would like to have one of those 427 Cammers that Ford put out in late 1964. Had a six foot timing chain. If I had one of those I'd have to get a 65 Fastback Mustang to put it in.
2007-12-24 10:25:53 · update #1
Toluene will definitely raise the octane. Its a very caustic and dangerous liquid that you should never breathe in or get it on your skin (very cancerous).
You only need higher octane if you're running high compression and a lot of advance. Higher octane burns slower than low octane. Do some studying on the subject of slow (high octane) vs faster (low octane) burning fuels. Too much octane can lose you power, because it has lower BTU's and burns slower than low octane fuel.
A good rule of thumb is to run the lowest octane than runs in your engine without pre-detonation (pinging).
I have to use very high octane in one of my cars because of the head design, extremely high compression and the ignition advance that I'm running. This is where I get my fuel: http://www.vpracingfuels.com/vp_01_fuels.html#unleaded and in my opinion is safer than mixing your own fuel... although it costs me $10.25 per gallon.
If your older car runs well, for instance on 89, without pre-detonation, going to a higher octane will NOT increase fuel mileage or performance. Only more advance will. Some of the newer cars that are completely computer controlled and running DLI systems can have a programing feature that will sense pre-detonation and will "play" with timing until it detects a pre-detonation situation and then back off timing a little bit, which will make use of the higher octane and will increase mileage and performance.
2007-12-24 05:15:10 · answer #1 · answered by G T 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depending on what you want to get out of your engine. You say you are going to re-build the engine, I would wait till then. Octane boosters cause engines to run a bit hotter. Even after rebuilding the engine I would not increase the octane too much. The 92 octane provided at the pump is not too bad as long as it has not been in the tank too long. Timing can be an issue if you try to increase the octane too much. The biggest problem you will run into is the consistency of the fuel you get at the pump. In lab test it has been determined the unleaded fuel begins to break down about two weeks after refinement. The more that it is exposed to atmospheric conditions the quicker it will begin to break down therefore loosing it's octane grade.
I have found that it is difficult tune an engine for a particular octane. Basically increasing the grade a bit by using products like 104+ tend to show good performance. Anything more and you begin to spend too much time under your hood than behind the wheel.
2007-12-24 09:43:10 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin P 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Can adding "toluene" to regular unleaded pump gas be safe for a stock engine?
... I was curious about maybe creating a little extra boost for a stock engine. I read that adding a gallon of toluene to the fuel can boost the power a good bit. (I do have the actual formulas for figuring correct octane mixtures)
... Is it safe from time to time to do this to a stock 350 chevy...
2015-08-18 23:01:25 · answer #3 · answered by Brenda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great Answer GT!
I'm glad you said it so I didn't have to type all of that out.
If you want a safe high octane fuel, some gas stations have a 110 race fuel or try your local regional airport and buy the fuel form them. That is a lot safer than mixing your own.......in some states it is illegal to tamper with regular pump fuel, this would include adding non approved additives to the fuel.
2007-12-24 05:23:22 · answer #4 · answered by smokinuracing 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tina I know the higher the octane, the better your fuel mileage
and I think Sunoco used to have a pump where you could dial in up to maybe 110 octane I don`t think high octane fuel hurts the engine as bad as low octane.
Maybe you will get a satisfactory answer on here Good Luck.
2007-12-24 04:59:26 · answer #5 · answered by Bill 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Toluene In Gasoline
2016-10-31 13:42:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt use it in my Stock car or my Late Model--Try your local Airport and get some LL110 Small Aircraft gas-- they will sell it to you. I buy it twice a week!!!!!
2007-12-24 08:34:15 · answer #7 · answered by Ed P 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here you go with one of those "technical" questions. I have no idea...but have a great Christmas.
Go Jr.>>>>
2007-12-24 14:30:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-12-24 05:01:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't do it !!!!
Just say no !!!
2007-12-24 09:54:43 · answer #10 · answered by Bow-legged Snake 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋