ELECMAN

What is a good octane boost on the market that wont hurt the pocket.

jaunty75

The one you don't buy by leaving your money in your pocket and putting the grade of fuel in the tank the manufacturer calls for!

Why do you need an octane booster?

442Harv

If you live in Cal, like me, the highest octane you can get is 91. If you have anything over 9 to 1 compression, and drive it a little hard you will need some. I lowered my timming, to stop pinging, but for performance, it really hurt that

erke88

They sell octane boosters at any auto parts store. Ive heard it's not that bad... Extra five bucks for a tank of gas? Not to sure.

ELECMAN

well I have a 72 cutlass with a 455 motor hearing a little ping when putting the pedal to the metal.before adjusting the timer want to try this first

jaunty75

Interesting. I didn't know that. We can get 93 from pretty much any station around here. How much does one of these octane boosters actually "boost" the octane?

jaunty75

What gasoline (octane rating) are you putting in now? If you're already putting in the highest octane you can get at a gas station and still getting knock, then, yes, increasing the octane still higher might work, I would think, but it doesn't solve underlying problem as to why your engine is knocking in the first place.

I also think you would want to try adjusting the timing first if you think that could be the cause. Assuming you have a timing light, checking and adjusting the timing should take 5 minutes and cost nothing. It also is much better for the engine if that turns out to be the problem and you correct it. An improperly timed engine is subject to faster wear, poor running, poor fuel economy, decreased power, and increased likelihood of overheating.

ELECMAN

No,not getting knocking until I put the pedal to the metal during normal driving I dont hear it at all.the timing is two to three degrees advance then stock had a little work down to the motor and using a HEI /vacuum adavance. I use nothing but Sunoco 93

jaunty75

I've read that a little bit of knocking ("light pinging") under heavy load like that is actually normal. But I can understand your wanting to get rid of it if possible.

coltsneckbob

I guess living in NJ has one benefit. I can buy 112 octane leaded fuel from the local race tracks. OK, it is not cheap at $13/gallon, but it makes the car run nice. In addition u can set timing to 14 degree BTDC for a nice torque boost.

jaunty75

If your idea of a "benefit" is $13-a-gallon gas, I'd hate to see your idea of a drawback!

dc2x4drvr

My 461-10:1 comp. won't run on 93 octane unless I back timing off to 32..try this if you want to run more timing..
http://www.kemcooil.com/products.php?cId=4

coltsneckbob

That would be the $15/gallon fuel.