From: hotrod@dixie.com (The Hotrod List)
Subject: Gasoline and about last nig
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 93 20:24:49 GMT
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GatorMail-Q                   Gasoline and about last nig
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Date: 12 Aug 92 09:13:05 U
From: "KEN MOSHER" <Ken_Mosher@imd.sterling.com>
Subject: Gasoline and about last nig
To: kmosher@imd.sterling.com
Return-Receipt-To: Ken_Mosher@imd.sterling.com

With all the talk about O2 sensors, oxygenated fuels, and racing gas, I decided
to dig up the following data that I've gathered.  I hope it is of general
interest to the list.


First, some data about the Sunoco CAM2 fuels from their literature:

SUNOCO "Standard"
Color......................Purple
Research Octane.........115
Motor Octane..............107
R+M/2 ......................111
Specific Gravity........0.725
Reid Vapor Pressure..... 8#
   -- Distallation temp, degrees F --
  Initial............90
  10%............160
  50%............220
  Final...........360

SUNOCO "GT Unleaded"
Color......................Natural
Research Octane.........105
Motor Octane..............95
R+M/2 ......................100
Specific Gravity........0.760
Reid Vapor Pressure..... 8#
   -- Distallation temp, degrees F --
  Initial............90
  10%............150
  50%............210
  Final...........230

SUNOCO "Supreme"
Color......................Blue
Research Octane.........116
Motor Octane..............109
R+M/2 ......................112
Specific Gravity........0.715
Reid Vapor Pressure..... 8#
   -- Distallation temp, degrees F --
  Initial............90
  10%............155
  50%............215
  Final...........260

SUNOCO "Maximal"
Color......................Red
Research Octane.........118
Motor Octane..............115
R+M/2 ......................117
Specific Gravity........0.700
Reid Vapor Pressure..... 6#
   -- Distallation temp, degrees F --
  Initial............100
  10%............150
  50%............220
  Final...........240

And from Rich Lassitter's article in the GS Xtra ... how to mix your own brew:

Formula #1 - Toulene
=============================
R+M/2.........114
Cost...........$2.50/gal

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.2 Octane
20%...........96.4 Octane
30%...........98.6 Octane

Notes: Common ingredient in Octane Boosters in a can.  12-16 ounces will only
raise octane 2-3 *points*, i.e. from 92 to 92.3.  Often costs $3-5 for 12-16
ounces, when it can be purchased for less than $3/gal at chemical supply houses
or paint stores.

Formula #2 - Xylene
=============================
R+M/2.........117
Cost...........$2.75/gal

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.5 Octane
20%...........97.0 Octane
30%...........99.5 Octane

Notes: Similar to Toulene.  12-16 ounces will only raise octane 2-3 *points*,
i.e. from 92 to 92.3.  Usually mixed with Toulene and advertised as *race
formula*.

Formula #3 - Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE)
=============================
R+M/2.........118
Cost...........$3.50/gal

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.6 Octane
20%...........97.2 Octane
30%...........99.8 Octane

Notes: Oxygenate.  Very common in octane booster products.  Has lower BTU
content than toulene or xylene, but oxygenate effect makes the gasoline burn
better and produce more energy.

Formula #4 - Methanol or Ethanol
=============================
R+M/2.........101
Cost...........$0.60 - $1.75/gal

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.3 Octane (Methanol)
10%...........94.7 Octane (Ethanol)
20%...........Not Recommended

Notes: Methanol is wood alcohol.  Ethanol is grain alcohol and found in Gasohol
in 10% ratios.  Both alcohols are mildly corrosive and will eat gas tank
linings, rubber and aluminum if used in excessive ratios.  Main ingredient in
"Gas Dryers", combine with water.

Formula #5 - Isopropyl Alcohol and Tertiary Butyl Alcohol
=============================
R+M/2.........101
Cost...........$0.60-$1.50/gal

Mixtures with 92 Octane Premium
--------------------------------
10%...........94.5 Octane
20%...........Not Recommended
30%...........Not Recommended

Notes: Similar to Methanol/Ethanol.  Isopropyl Alcohol is simply rubbing
alcohol.

How to make your own octane booster (this is the basic formula of one of the
popular octane booster products).  To make eight 16 ounce bottles (128 oz = 1
gal):

100 oz of toulene for octane boost
 25 oz of mineral spirits (cleaning agent)
  3 oz of transmission fluid (lubricating agent)

This product is advertised as "octane booster with cleaning agent *and*
lubricating agent!".  Diesel fuel or kerosene can be substituted for mineral
spirits and light turbine oil can be substituted for transmission fluid.  Color
can be added with petroleum dyes.


-- Ken Mosher
-- Buick Grand National:  A *BOOST* of Buick Performance



[Thanks a bazillion for that post.  I'll only add one comment regarding
using methanol.  In a word, don't.  It attacks zinc and magnesium very
rapidly.  Guess what is in carburators and other fuel system parts.
I had this graphicly demonstrated to me one time.  I was involved in
racing chain saws (Oh no, not another one....)  In the particular class,
my saw ran on 100% methanol.  Saws are typically made of a magnesium
alloy.  I knew I had to clear out the system after each run but one
afternoon I forgot.  By late evening when I remembered it, the gas tank
had already corroded through.  I left it to see what would happen 
and by morning practically the entire saw was a pile of white dust
with steel parts interspersed.  That included my one-of-a-kind highly
ported cylinder I'd spent hours on. *sob*.  I saw similar results
running methanol in motorcycle engines, though never as bad.  JGD]
----------
Posted by: "KEN MOSHER" <emory!imd.sterling.com!Ken_Mosher>
Newsgroups: alt.hotrod,wiz.hotrod