Octane booster

Chancey

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Do you guys have an opinion on VM octanium octane booster? It definitely seems to give a little crisper throttle response. It’s expensive too. But is it safe to use? If not, what is good/safe that definitely works on a bone stock 2013 GT500? Thanks for any advise.
 

13COBRA

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If it's bone stock, I'd just buy more expensive fuel. Surely you have 91 available, if not 93.
 

boduke0220

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Wire your IC pump to a Key on source, instead of letting the computer control it. should see some better IAT's and power that way, assuming you want to leave it relatively stock
 

biminiLX

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If you're running 93, no need for octane booster.
Agreed with the exception of racing on track, then it’s cheap insurance against potentially unreliable pump fuel.
Chauncey, any reason no tune?
My car woke up with a Lund 93 tune only.
Even if no tune, you can check datalogs now and see timing/knock on and off the booster.
Tune, gears, DRs was great my first summer with the car.
-J
 

Chancey

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Agreed with the exception of racing on track, then it’s cheap insurance against potentially unreliable pump fuel.
Chauncey, any reason no tune?
My car woke up with a Lund 93 tune only.
Even if no tune, you can check datalogs now and see timing/knock on and off the booster.
Tune, gears, DRs was great my first summer with the car.
-J
I have been procrastinating about modding going forward biminiLX. Did the drag radials. Was about to do the 4.11’s, CAI and tune soon. But I have developed a mid/part throttle stumble without any codes or check engine light as of late however. Gonna check the plugs and coil on’s this weekend. Once thats cleared up, gonna go from there.
 

Jam421

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Been using Lund recommended VP O for a year now. 1/2 bottle per tank refill showed 1-1.5 degrees more timing on a hot summer day on 93 octane Lund Race Tune. That made me a fan of VPO...worth $10 about every summer weekend to ensure she's running to full potential.
 

RBB

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I’m in the same boat with LR recommending an octane booster even for street duty. What’s the consensus on long term use of these things and MMT deposits building up in the engine over time?
 

Chancey

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Yeah it may be the timing advance alone that happens because of the boost in octane. It is noticeably stronger running when I use it. I was wondering myself if it can have any long term negative results for our engines.
 

Jam421

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The two Mustang Race Shops in our area noticed the orange hew on my spark plugs and if on a dyno the tech can smell the octane booster.....but I've never been advised VPO will damage my engine. ...especially as it does very mileage limited Weekend Warrior Car Show duties. And I also feel the smoother revs and better top end pull. Using 1/2 bottle with each tank refill from around 1/4 tank raises our 93 to 96-98 octane.
 

Chancey

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I tend to agree. Mine is a daily, but runs a bit stronger for sure. I put a can in about every second or third fill up. Changed my plugs again yesterday and they are definitely an orangish/brown, but good clean, even looking burn. I like the stuff...
 

96gt02

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Havent had good luck with VP O and o2 sensors, has killed a few rather quickly for me, greatly prefer boostane so far no issues.
 
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Robot_trainer

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I was using Boostane. Same thing MMT. It turned everything orange. If you got on it, orange cloud behind you. There is a possibility that it may take out the 02 sensors and cats over a period of time, but I havent heard of any issues like that. You will probably need to change the plugs more often. If you are going to race it, I would suggest good racing gas. If its a cruiser, get a 170 degree thermostat, and colder plugs, run 93 or better with ethanol. You shouldnt have any problems.
 

RBB

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Havent had good lucj with VP O and o2 sensors, has killed a few rather quickly for me, greatly prefer boostane so far no issues.
VP has a new product out, Octanium Unleaded, which is supposed to be much easier on cats and O2 sensors. Boostane claims to use some sort of proprietary carrier system which keeps the additives in solution indefinitely, and is cat and O2 safe. I wonder if VP is using the same sort of technology?

Either way you're still going to get some level of MMT deposits on plugs and O2s. Not a big deal as those are wear items and cheap to replace in the grand scheme of things. My biggest concern is long-term use and developing a buildup of MMT deposits in the engine. From what I've read that can cause hot spots, which lead to preignition, and goodbye motor. It would be really interesting to see someone tear an engine down after long-term use of this stuff and see what it looks like. So far I haven't been able to find any evidence of someone actually doing that.

 
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Robot_trainer

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VP has a new product out, Octanium Unleaded, which is supposed to be much easier on cats and O2 sensors. Boostane claims to use some sort of proprietary carrier system which keeps the additives in solution indefinitely, and is cat and O2 safe. I wonder if VP is using the same sort of technology?

Either way you're still going to get some level of MMT deposits on plugs and O2s. Not a big deal as those are wear items and cheap to replace in the grand scheme of things. My biggest concern is long-term use and developing a buildup of MMT deposits in the engine. From what I've read that can cause hot spots, which lead to preignition, and goodbye motor. It would be really interesting to see someone tear an engine down after long-term use of this stuff and see what it looks like. So far I haven't been able to find any evidence of someone actually doing that.

Its a wait and see situation.
 

Livernois Motorsports

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In our experiences, octane booster is bad news typically, I'd definitely steer clear of that especially in these newer vehicles. Many of the most common boosters contain MMT which will leave a manganese oxide coating on everything that comes into contact with the exhaust. Many car companies including Ford advise against using anything that contains MMT right in the owners manuals because it can damage emissions equipment as well. If a vehicle comes in for performance modifications and dyno tuning with octane booster in the tank we normally drain the fuel and put in new spark plugs before running it on the dyno.
 

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