Safely increasing the octane of your fuel.
05-12-2009, 09:16 PM
#13
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Northern NJ, USA
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='876808' date='May 12 2009, 11:10 PM
still, i will just put 93 from a reputible gas station known for quality in my car. I prefer sunoco or chevron
05-12-2009, 09:22 PM
#14
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JeffNNJ' post='876926' date='May 13 2009, 01:16 AM
My father in law is in the oil business and owns a plethora of gas stations. He says that gas is gas and to buy what's cheapest. Even the no name stations all use branded gasoline because it's all that's available. They just buy whatever is cheapest at the time.
05-12-2009, 10:09 PM
#15
Former Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 14 550i
i use to do it all the time in my srt4 (395hp/410tq @ 27psi). it's basically like octane booster. if you check the ingredients you'll see toulene as one of the main components. only thing is your spark plugs start turning orange.
michael
michael
05-13-2009, 05:15 AM
#17
Contributors
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: .
Posts: 8,199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: .
Model Year: .
Originally Posted by craigm1841' post='876851' date='May 12 2009, 10:53 PM
there was a chain of emoticon posts starting, so i jumped in.
05-13-2009, 05:33 AM
#18
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550, Carbon Black Metallic, Natural Brown Dakota Leather, Sport Package, Sport Automatic Transmission, Cold Weather Package, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades, etc.
Retired - 2004 545 SMG, Black Sapphire Metallic, Auburn Dakota Leather, Cold Weather and Sports Packages, Power Rear and Manual Side Sun Shades
Originally Posted by kapusta' post='876779' date='May 12 2009, 10:36 PM
All this talk about premium fuel reminded me of something. If you ever get a fuel whose octane rating causes pinging in your engine (especially true for the high compression/high perf BMW engines) then stay away from any fuel additives etc. Instead use 100% pure toluene that you can get in a hardware/paint store. Toluene has an octane rating of 114, so usually a gallon or two for the full tank will be enough.
Toluene is probably the best, but also the least economical octane booster. It was used as the "rocket fuel" by formula 1 cars in the past. For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toluene
Toluene is probably the best, but also the least economical octane booster. It was used as the "rocket fuel" by formula 1 cars in the past. For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toluene
We can debate the benefits / harms of using toluene as an octane booster, but no one with an E60 should be getting pinging from using lower octane fuel. Th engine management software will detect this and adjust the timing to prevent pinging. You will loose some performance , but you will not getting pinging or damage the engine.
This might be a good time to revive the very old thread about the "benefits" of using fuel with a higher than recommended octane.
05-13-2009, 06:22 AM
#19
Members
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Norcal
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by myfootsmells' post='876963' date='May 12 2009, 11:09 PM
i use to do it all the time in my srt4 (395hp/410tq @ 27psi). it's basically like octane booster. if you check the ingredients you'll see toulene as one of the main components. only thing is your spark plugs start turning orange.
michael
michael
Of course, this was with an ancient Bosch CIS low-pressure injection system. I'm not sure I'd use it on a direct-injection engine without a bunch of research first. And as was said in a previous post, there's not really any reason to use it on a naturally-aspirated street car - if you're pinging on pump gas, you probably have other issues.
PS - a 395hp SRT4 must be a fun ride....
05-13-2009, 10:20 AM
#20
Former Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,051
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 14 550i
it was oh it was. but too loud and uncomfortable that i ditched it. great track car though.
Originally Posted by cokeefe' post='877138' date='May 13 2009, 07:22 AM
I agree with this - I used it once in a while in a 911 Turbo track car I had, to prevent det on hot days.
Of course, this was with an ancient Bosch CIS low-pressure injection system. I'm not sure I'd use it on a direct-injection engine without a bunch of research first. And as was said in a previous post, there's not really any reason to use it on a naturally-aspirated street car - if you're pinging on pump gas, you probably have other issues.
PS - a 395hp SRT4 must be a fun ride....
Of course, this was with an ancient Bosch CIS low-pressure injection system. I'm not sure I'd use it on a direct-injection engine without a bunch of research first. And as was said in a previous post, there's not really any reason to use it on a naturally-aspirated street car - if you're pinging on pump gas, you probably have other issues.
PS - a 395hp SRT4 must be a fun ride....