We are in a Gas crisis here in Atlanta. There is simply no prem gas available, (and very little reg gas)only regular 87 octane. So I woke up at 6am to avoid massive hr + long gas lines only at select stations to fill up with Reg gas with 1/4 tank of prem. I am considering getting some octane booster to add to the tank.
Anyone have any factual reasons why this is a bad idea? I see more issues w/o it for detonation. What would you do?

 

From my understanding from what auto engineers have told me is that there are different ways to boost octane. Some good, some kind of second rate. Refining gas so they are more of the octane carbon molecules in the gas is better. Incidentily, a higher octane gas allows for greater compression since this gas is not prone to premature ignition as gas with more smaller carbon chained molecules might be, ie heptane, hexane, etc - the 87-89 octane variety. However, alcohol is one way of boosting octane rating since it also is more stable from premature detonation. Indy car uses alcohol only and they have huge compression. However, their engines - more importantly, their seals, gaskets and the like are built for it while most road cars are not. After market octane boosts use alcohol to increase octane levels. Good - bad? It depends. Alcohol is more corrosive but for limited use it might not be so bad. On the other hand regular gas is not so bad as long as you don't push your car while using it. If I had to pick the lesser of two evils, I'd stick with the regular gas and baby your car. I am sure other people will disagree and that's fine because reasonable minds can disagree on reasonable choices as these both are. I can't imagine you'd seriously hurt your car either way.

 

A lot of people not on this forum run 87 for every single tank with no problem. The engine is not running at full capacity, but I wouldnt sweat it for a few tanks while you wait for fuel to be back to normal.

 

If you haven't chipped your car there is no problem running 87 octane. Porsche programmed these cars to run on a wide range of octane levels.

 

Agreed with the others. The ECU will pull timing to prevent detonation. For a few tanks it shouldn't be a problem.

The octane boosters you see on the shelf are next to useless. When they say it raises octane by 5 points they mean 1/10 of a octane. So 87->87.5.

If you're really concerned you can add toulene to your gas. Do a google search and you can come up with the appropriate ratios. Be careful not to spill any on your paint!

 

What exactly does the chip change in the performace of the car with a lower octane? Does the chip run the car with the best case perameters- maximum air intake, maximum exhaust flow, high octane fuel... ect?

My car is chipped by the previous owner and have never had to put lower octane fuel into it, but many of the stations locally to not have 93, just 91 as the highest..

 

Are some people really running 87 with these cars?
93 or nothing over here.

 

good luck - just wait until there is premium in your area for extended time

 

You possibly meant "wait until there is NO premium in your area for extended time."

Thats when you switch to a car that is fine with 87. I should have stated that I drive the 996 on some occasions.

 

GT3TEK hit it right on the money, don't sweat it with 87. Your pcar will just feel less perky.

Here is an info link w/ calculator based on additive used:
http://www.easyperformance.com/Tech_...d_Content.html