Larry Harris

I have read a couple of articles regarding using 1 gallon of tolulene when filling your tank with the 91 crap we get in California. Has anyone had any long-term experience with this additive? The article did not mention any detrimental effects when usung this chemical.

Larry

Joe Weinstein

Toluene is already a component of standard pump gas. Toluene has high anti-knock
characteristics, so it *will* raise your octane-rating, with sufficient proportions. I
believe it's around 114, so you can calculate your resultant octane-rating linearly.
eg: 1 gal toluene + 10 gal 91-octane gas = 11 gal of 93-octane.
Two warnings:
1 - If you get insufficiently pure toluene, the contaminants might be harmful.
2 - Don't go nuts with high-toluene mixtures because unless your AFR is right,
toluene burns very 'sooty' if rich, and can foul plugs and maybe cats.

Joe

Joe Weinstein

Here's a good link about toluene:

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/audi/toluene.html

Joe

Larry Harris

Thanks Joe for the info.

Larry

MBailey

Has anyone tried this in their TT and seen improvement?

Kevin

Here a link to a product that I use.. http://www.vpracingfuels.com/spec/te...sportfuels.doc

From when I was searching for toluene it was priced above $5.50 a gallon... I buy VP fuel in 55's and payed around $4.78 gallon

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Hi Larry:

Although there is no question that the 91 octane stuff sold in CA is not ideal, I'd kindly suggest that adding toluene to the tank isn't a practical solution.

Three issues:

1) An inability to achieve a consistent, homogenous mixture and therefore inconsistent octane from tank to tank by simply adding that stuff to the fuel tank.

2) Exposure to an organic hydrocarbon that is a serious health hazard if you spill any on your skin. This stuff attacks the central nervous system and the effects are cumulative in nature.

3) Toluene, especially in that concentration, attacks the polymers (non-Viton parts) in the fuel system and dissolves them over time.

There are no "free lunches" from the use of home-made octane boosters and I've witnessed my share of blown motors from inconsistent octane fuels, especially when the engine was optimized for something better than pump gasolines.....

I'd strongly agree with Kevin; use unleaded race gas (100 or better) as its MUCH better for the engine and you'll live longer by not handling that stuff (without neoprene gloves). Depending on your engine's state of tune, it might also last longer, too,...

Larry Harris

Thanks Steve,
I have always valued your opinions on Porsche related matters.

Larry