Toluene? anybody playing with it?

[CLG]

I've used it for drag use - I have JDM ECU's in my GT4's, which ping on BP ultimate 98 when you're out having fun. 5L of toluene in a third to half full tank, and I can thrash the bejesus out of it, down the strip without an issue in regards to audible pinging.

[MR22ZZ]

Well, considering both Benzene and Xylene are both known carcinogens it's a fair assumption to make, but I'm yet to see an MSDS that lists Toluene as any more that a suspected carcinogen. As always I'm more than happy to be proven wrong though.

As far as rubber fuel lines go, Viton (fluoropolymer), tubing may be the go as it's pretty resistant to most chemicals.

[cri_ag]

the rough guide zoom gave goes like this,


percentage of toluene mixed with 98ron

10% - 102 octane
20% - 110 octane
30% - 115 octane
40% - 120+ octane

[oldcorollas]

how did they measure the octane? octane testing rig?

i wonder how they plan to get 120+ octane by adding something that has

Toluene has a RON octane rating of 121 and a MON rating of 107, leading to a (R+M)/2 rating of 114.

from Shell Chemicals site today

A lot of toluene is also converted into either benzene or xylenes, as these aromatics are in greater demand. In addition, toluene's high octane and low vapour pressure make it a very desirable blending component, and substantial volumes are used in motor gasoline.

perhaps the benefits of toluene are not in the knock prevention, but more in the slower burning characteristics? resulting in more advance being required.. or allowing higher cylinder pressures to have more stable burning characteristics?

long term exposure to toluene causes liver and kidney failure? it can7t be good stuff, as with any aromatics... ie.. petrol.
seems manufacturers are claiming max of 1% benzene?

[o_man_ra23]

As far as I was aware, the Toluene itself isnt very harmful, but the worry is that many benzenes are present in the Toluene mix, which are carcinogenic.

I used to mix BP Ultimate and about 4 Litres of Toluene to a tank (around 40 Litre fill) in my RA23 when it had 18RG plus upped compression. It used to love it, and would rev a lot smoother and idle heaps better than just using BPU. The Toluene did however wreck the paint around the filler VERY quickly, so I would suggest honing your funnelling skillz before using it. I paid $40 for the 20Ltr drum, so not much more than the cost of petrol anyways.

[fixeruperer]

years ago when reading up on toluene i remember bp saying the wernt gonna use toluene but other stuff to up the octane but that wasnt in the main bp fuels just that new one opel (too stop peeps from getting the high of sniffing it), i thought it was in all fuel's my bad.

So BP spent a year developing Opal, which contains no lead and is less than 5 per cent aromatics. A straight-chain hydrocarbon called alkylate is added to make the fuel high-octane, which prevents self-ignition. It costs around 30 per cent more to produce and distribute than regular petrol, but a government subsidy makes up the difference.

does anyone know anything about "alkylate" , sounds like bad shit when you read up on it.

[oldeskewltoy]

Toulene is just a substitute....

the original octane boost.... tetra LEAD
http://tetraboost.com/info/dosage/

Here is a list of other octane boosters
http://www.protecusa.com/fuelcatalysts1.htm

[Billzilla]

Toulene is just a substitute....

the original octane boost.... tetra LEAD
http://tetraboost.com/info/dosage/

Tetra-ethyl Lead was invented by Thomas Midgley, who also invented chlorofluorocarbons - One man who (hopefully) inadvertently created two porducts that caused a great deal of damage to the Earth.

[chris davey]

To work out the octane it is just a formula

I have a s/sheet
mixed with 98 rona
10%= 100.3ron
20% = 102.6ron
30% = 104.9ron

for a 30% mix of a 60L tank that is 18L. My stuff cost $55 for a 20L drum which would treat just over 60L to get 104.9ron.

I then checked some other octane boosters and worked out it is cheaper to run with a normal type octane booster with 100ron shell fuel. I now run vpower racing with martini super boost which has proven to increase detonation threshold (upp to 6eg additional advance in turbo engines). This stuff costs $20 a 350ml bottle that treats between 60 & 80L and importantly to me is that it is very easy to pour in with no chance of getting it on you or your car. A lot easier to carry around also. That was my reasoning for changing plust the whole cancer thing didn't really appeal to me

[o_man_ra23]

Chris, that martini superboost, when added to 42Ltrs of 100RON fuel will give you 102RON... so if its a race situation, just run the Toluene.

[fixeruperer]

dam i wish we got 100ron here.