Some more food for thought:
Formula #1 - Toluene
=============================
R+M/2.........114
Cost...........$2.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.2 Octane
20%...........96.4 Octane
30%...........98.6 Octane
Notes: Common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can. 12-16 ounces will only
raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Often costs $3-5 for 12-16
ounces, when it can be purchased for less than $3/gal at chemical supply houses
or paint stores.
Formula #2 - Xylene
=============================
R+M/2.........117
Cost...........$2.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.5 Octane
20%...........97.0 Octane
30%...........99.5 Octane
Notes: Similar to Toluene. 12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*,
i.e. from 92 to 92.3. Usually mixed with Toluene and advertised as *race
formula*.
Formula #3 - Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
=============================
R+M/2.........118
Cost...........$3.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.6 Octane
20%...........97.2 Octane
30%...........99.8 Octane
Notes: Oxygenate. Very common in octane booster products. Has lower BTU
content than toluene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn
better and produce more energy.
Formula #4 - Methanol or Ethanol
=============================
R+M/2.........101
Cost...........$0.60 - $1.75/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...........94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...........Not Recommended
Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol. Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol
in 10% ratios. Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank
linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios. Main ingredient in
"Gas Dryers", combine with water.
Formula #5 - Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol
=============================
R+M/2.........101
Cost...........$0.60-$1.50/gal
Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.5 Octane
20%...........Not Recommended
30%...........Not Recommended
Notes: Similar to Methanol/Ethanol. Isopropyl Alcohol is simply rubbing
alcohol.
Triptane is rated as RON 112 and MON 101.
It's another substance that can be used as an octane booster with spectacular
results when mixed with Tetra Ethyl Lead, the rating goes through the roof.
How to make your own octane booster (this is the basic formula of one of the
popular octane booster products). To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1
gal):
100 oz of toluene for octane boost
25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent)
3 oz of transmission fluid (lubricating agent)
This product is advertised as "octane booster with cleaning agent *and*
lubricating agent!". Diesel fuel or kerosene can be substituted for mineral
spirits and light turbine oil can be substituted for transmission fluid. Color
can be added with petroleum dyes.
Just so people don't start conjuring up theories about octane rating
versus energy content, there's a real simple reason why diesel fuel
has more energy per gallon -- it's denser. Alkanes, the saturated
hydrocarbons that are the main component of gasoline and diesel, are
all pretty close to 11kcal/g, but as you get to the heavier alkanes,
the bulk liquid or solid gets denser, so you get more grams per gallon.
