Octane boost

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

Sorry, I have to say it, a turbo engine reference has exactly zero relevence to a normally aspirated Boxster engine. Actually, even comparing another N/A engine is irrelevent, each and every engine design has specific octane requirements.

(Damn it, I try and stay out of "heated" threads, I'll go back to lurking now!)

It was never supposed to be a heated thread, we all have Porsches and summer is coming why would any of us be in a foul mood? I will again say toluene shows up in places you would never expect it. Next huge dump, start reading the contents of the products in your bathroom, after all the issue of Excellence gets pretty old between pressings, reading the prell might be a nice switch and it doesn't give you the itch to buy performance crap.

[Lobo1186]

it is in many places but care is still needed. for an example I spilt some on my side (I say some but It was from around my waist down to my thigh) I was using it it clean powder coating off a comercial lawn mower frame. It was early so I didnt leave work I decided it was no big deal two hours later I could not bear the pain any longer (it hurt that bad) so I told my boss and left. turns out it had burned me down my side and I had a scar there for a good year or two because of it.

that said... its really not that big of a deal I was stupid and paid the price but as I said earlier just be smart and you will be fine.

[stephen wilson]

I agree, it shouldn't be heated, but it's one with strong opinions!

On Toulene/Xylene, Just because they don't immediately kill you, doesn't mean it's not a long term hazard ( Kidneys/liver ). I washed my hands with gasoline when I was young, and poured used oil around the shed to keep down weeds, now we know these things were bad! ( I'm making myself sould very old@! ) I broke out severly using Xylene with a respirator,gloves and chem. suite. ( A related life lesson, don't take a leak shortly after handling chemicals, it's not pretty! )

I guess I don't see the point, even if it gains a few H.P., unless you're racing competitively. But, I guess I don't have to! Each to their own.

Well, it's a beautiful Friday for a top-down drive , only 5 more hours!

Steve

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by stephen wilson

I agree, it shouldn't be heated, but it's one with strong opinions!

On Toulene/Xylene, Just because they don't immediately kill you, doesn't mean it's not a long term hazard ( Kidneys/liver ). I washed my hands with gasoline when I was young, and poured used oil around the shed to keep down weeds, now we know these things were bad! ( I'm making myself sould very old@! ) I broke out severly using Xylene with a respirator,gloves and chem. suite. ( A related life lesson, don't take a leak shortly after handling chemicals, it's not pretty! )

I guess I don't see the point, even if it gains a few H.P., unless you're racing competitively. But, I guess I don't have to! Each to their own.

Well, it's a beautiful Friday for a top-down drive , only 5 more hours!

Steve

It's toxic as hell, I'm in total agreement just pointing out that it shows up in consumer products if you look. As far as the danger.... I inhaled more asbestos from brake pad dust that most, we used air guns to blow it all over the shop what did we know? I've irradiated thousands of people including myself, just ask Mrs Roentgen or Madam Curie if that's a goodplan for longevity!

Something will kill us all, you want an egg or candybar? I say eat up...

[jcb986]

Go withe proven people...Sunoco. I used it in the 60's...then they had 260 and 280 and 280 plus, 100 Octane.

http://www.sunocoinc.com/site/Consumer/RaceFuels/UnleadedFuels/

[Daniel R]

Since we are on the fuel debate, is there any benefits to running leaded petrol? My understanding about the shift to unleaded is that lead additives are not compatible with catalytic converters. My car no longer has cats, so does this mean I can use leaded fuel?

In Australia 98 RON unleaded is readily available, and is all I use in the boxster. I'm just wondering if the lead would somehow help the motor apart from increasing octane. Maybe it lubricates better or something??

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

[eightsandaces]

I was always told leaded gas was bad for the catalytic converter, that's why they changed the nozzle at first too, so one couldn't make a mistake in the changeover years. The Fiat has a wide open 4" filler.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by Daniel R

Since we are on the fuel debate, is there any benefits to running leaded petrol? My understanding about the shift to unleaded is that lead additives are not compatible with catalytic converters. My car no longer has cats, so does this mean I can use leaded fuel?

In Australia 98 RON unleaded is readily available, and is all I use in the boxster. I'm just wondering if the lead would somehow help the motor apart from increasing octane. Maybe it lubricates better or something??

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

The lead used in leaded gasolines was a form called tetra-ethyl Lead and was initially only used in Premium or High Octane gas, which commonly became known as Ethyl - some companies even marketed it under this name.

This additive raised the octane rating of the fuel inhibiting detonation and also helped lubricate and seal the valves whose seats were made of soft mild steel for better sealing. This is why valve adjustment on earlier cars was so frequent -= the valve would get pounded further and further into the seat - the lead acted similar to RTV on a gasket.

Because engines today are not designed to use it, and are machined to much closer tolerances using different materials (esp. the valve seats), and usually with a much lower CR, using leaded gas in today's engines would not likely yield the same benefits. Aside from damamging the cats (by coating the ceramic matrix with lead, thus reducing it's useful surface area to react with the exhaust), it would also make your O² sensor inoperable after only a few miles.

And, all of this is aside from the obvious environmental issues.

Cheers!