Octane Booster Use (New gti onwner)

**hotcar1600** · 03-02-2010, 07:37 AM

hi guys,

im new to this forum and i have searched.

however, i was wondering if anyone could talk from experience on the use of octane boosters.

i have an account with a petrol station (work) that only sells premium unleaded. i want to chip my car and use the 98 octane map. Can i just add octane booster to the premium unleaded?

any help and info would be great.

cheers

**Tim** · 03-02-2010, 07:59 AM

Using octane booster in every tank would get expensive!

Most tuners should have a tune that will still be safe with a decent quality 95 premium unleaded fuel. You just may not get every last kw out of it.

**break** · 03-02-2010, 09:45 AM

Octane boosters are typically a band-aid fix to a bigger problem.

I too agree with Tim above and think you should just get the 95 octane map instead.

**noone** · 03-02-2010, 10:44 AM

welcome mate.

Agree with others statements. I (think I can) notice different 98 Fuels in my tank with the APR Stage 1 V2 tune. Many opinions on Fuel, the best advice I heard was to go to a major chain with high sales (eg, frequent fuel changeover)

Not worth trying to save a few cents if you get a discount, better off travelling further to one with 98 or sticking with the 95.

Does anyone do a dedicated 95 tune? Think APR sell a 95 in their package tune...

**hotcar1600** · 03-02-2010, 11:16 AM

thanks for the replies guys.

i know i should probably change servos - but my company pays for the fuel

so i gathered i could just add the octane booster every tank (they will pay for that too if its from the servo) i know it sounds a bit tight ar$e

are there any negative in running octane booster all the rtme?

**break** · 03-02-2010, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by noone

Agree with others statements. I (think I can) notice different 98 Fuels in my tank with the APR Stage 1 V2 tune. Many opinions on Fuel, the best advice I heard was to go to a major chain with high sales (eg, frequent fuel changeover)

There are three factors you need to look at when choosing a fuel:

1. What is the Octane rating system? Sure getting 98 octane is great, but most fuel stations actually refer to '98 octane' as 'fuel with an average octane of 98'. BP is the only fuel chain (hence the higher price) that lists its fuels as 'minimum of 98 octane' when advertising '98 octane' fuel.

2. Ethanol content. Put simply, ethanol is still a hit and miss additive because of the lack of refinement in much of the added ethanol. Furthermore, 10% ethanol mixes can often be quite misleading, with an average of 10% across the batch quite common. Put simply, you may be unlucky and get a part of the batch of fuel containing upwards of 20% ethanol, and badly refined ethanol at that. Ethanol isn't a bad thing, but stations just aren't being as careful and controlled about quality ethanol as they should.

3. Additives. Many fuels contain additives that perform different roles, the worst of these being Shell V-power which contains strong cleaning additives. Sure its good for cleaning out the carbon build ups in the motor, it isn't so great for obtaining max power.

Three things to think about when you fill up next. And three things that make me only put BP Ultimate in my cars.

**xtturbo** · 03-02-2010, 11:40 AM

I've had nothing but good times with Shell V Power.

I've heard everything under the sun about different fuels etc, and honestly I think its all crap.

**break** · 03-02-2010, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by xtturbo

I've had nothing but good times with Shell V Power.

I've heard everything under the sun about different fuels etc, and honestly I think its all crap.

One interesting thing I find with Shell V-Power in both my old MY05 WRX and my current Polo is that it seems to cause the turbo to spool quicker than BP Ultimate.

That said, my butt dyno still says BP Ultimate gives better bang.