Brandon Gibson 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2017 (http://auto-essentials.com/best-octane-booster/) - im wondering if anyone has used them here? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rich 378 Report post Posted January 23, 2017 Most of us are in the UK where high octane fuel is more readily available. The normal recommended fuel on here is Shell V-Power which which equivalent to 93 octane using the American rating. That article is pretty dubious though: "These octane boosters raise that number to create a cleaner burning fuel as the higher the number in the octane levels, the cleaner the fuel burns." Octane has nothing to do with how clean a fuel burns, as long as the octane is high enough to prevent knocking, boosting it further makes no difference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nerdstrike 186 Report post Posted January 23, 2017 Cleaner...? Higher octane fuels can burn cleaner, but octane rating is more about volatility and flash points. Pentane for example has a very low RON, despite being a cleaner burn than toluene at about 100 RON. Methane is super clean and has a 120 RON, but I don't think that proves anything. Raising RON can also have the effect of reducing calorific value and producing less power (see also the LPG and H2). The BRZ/GT86 is tuned for UK 97/98 RON - raising the octane rating further only serves to prevent detonation in tough conditions, or allows retarding ignition a bit more. You'd start to consider it if you're running a turbo and looking for every last horsepower, or just go straight to ethanol or race fuel for maximum boost without knock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STEVO9000 54 Report post Posted January 23, 2017 Interesting. i was thinking of picking some of this stuff up before I go to France in July, my car is mapped for 99ron and their super out there is only 98. But I wasn't sure if octane boosters were a gimmick or if it would actually do anything so I can leave mine in performance map rather than eco map for 2 weeks 😜 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodename47 446 Report post Posted January 23, 2017 The stock ECU has Subaru's knock retard strategy, which is designed to account for a huge range of variables including fuel. It will run fine on a 98 RON when mapped for 99, there's a good chance it's not tuned to the point of knocking anyway. Also, most European 98's AKI rating isn't much off VPower. Boosters do work, it's just not worth it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted January 23, 2017 4 hours ago, STEVO9000 said: Interesting. i was thinking of picking some of this stuff up before I go to France in July, my car is mapped for 99ron and their super out there is only 98. But I wasn't sure if octane boosters were a gimmick or if it would actually do anything so I can leave mine in performance map rather than eco map for 2 weeks 😜 You'll have no problem getting decent fuel in Northern Europe. I've done many trips. In fact in Germany you can get upto 102 Ron. I really wouldn't worry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
STEVO9000 54 Report post Posted January 24, 2017 20 hours ago, Lauren said: You'll have no problem getting decent fuel in Northern Europe. I've done many trips. In fact in Germany you can get upto 102 Ron. I really wouldn't worry. Was out there the year before last, all I could find where we were staying was 98. I'll look into it more before I go Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Varelco 211 Report post Posted January 24, 2017 1RON difference isn't going to be an issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kodename47 446 Report post Posted January 24, 2017 2 hours ago, Varelco said: 1RON difference isn't going to be an issue. Especially when the MON ratings are good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
