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      03-19-2021, 10:45 AM   #1
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SoCal gas quality: any actual info

Hey,

I recently flashed my car to the ACN 91 stage 1 tune with BM3, and I wanted to know if anyone has access to any actual dating showing AKI/Octane differences between gas stations. I know a lot of people swear by 76, but I am interested to see if there is any actual data to reflect that or any other higher or lower quality gas.
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      03-19-2021, 12:02 PM   #2
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I use Shell 91. Chevron is also said to be a good choice. I believe that BMW has recommended Shell in the past.
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      03-20-2021, 01:05 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
Hey,

I recently flashed my car to the ACN 91 stage 1 tune with BM3, and I wanted to know if anyone has access to any actual dating showing AKI/Octane differences between gas stations. I know a lot of people swear by 76, but I am interested to see if there is any actual data to reflect that or any other higher or lower quality gas.
No actual data, but I also only use Shell 91.
So far so good but then again I'm not tuned.

I would think the best course for you would be to try Shell, 76, or Costco and log the car to see the differences.
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      03-20-2021, 01:42 PM   #4
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It sucks everywhere but I stick to shell and chevron. Keep logging the stock map and you'll see knocks there too.
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      03-20-2021, 02:00 PM   #5
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One answer to the problem is to throw a few gallons of VP racing (or similar) 100 octane fuel into each tank and Hang On!. It gets expensive though.
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      04-01-2021, 11:12 PM   #6
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Sadly I have no data, but I've been using Chevron, Shell, and 76 in that order for my performance cars ever since my mother got her first 1999 corvette.

If you want to be super safe, do like AlpsRider recommended. Do a bit of math to determine the amount of 91 and 100 octane you need to hit 93. I have a 76 near me in Pasadena that sells 100 octane for 9.99 a gallon. I squirt in two gallons before track days in my WRX to ensure quality fuel is in the tank.

Alternatively, I believe you can still buy a barrel of proper octane booster online and have it shipped. It isn't terribly cheaper though.
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      04-02-2021, 11:13 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AJAXF1 View Post

Alternatively, I believe you can still buy a barrel of proper octane booster online and have it shipped. It isn't terribly cheaper though.
I bought some octane booster but then after reading about it possibly fouling plugs I chickened out on using it. It would be nice to know if it's safe.
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      04-05-2021, 11:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpsRider View Post
I bought some octane booster but then after reading about it possibly fouling plugs I chickened out on using it. It would be nice to know if it's safe.
I am planning on swapping my plugs soon, and I am running Boostane premium mixed to roughly 93 octane in my car. I'm going to try and do that for about 5,000 miles and analyze what I see on the plugs.
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      04-05-2021, 05:57 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
I am planning on swapping my plugs soon, and I am running Boostane premium mixed to roughly 93 octane in my car. I'm going to try and do that for about 5,000 miles and analyze what I see on the plugs.
well known socal guy on here a few years back documented what happened to his M2 when he used Boostane. Everything will become fouled and oranged. Plugs, downpipe, exhaust, etc.


He purged his bimmerpost account after selling his M2 tho so no more pics and text to be found unfortunately.

FWIW this was him aka (teh_boost) https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/se...rchid=68809796
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      04-05-2021, 06:54 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
well known socal guy on here a few years back documented what happened to his M2 when he used Boostane. Everything will become fouled and oranged. Plugs, downpipe, exhaust, etc.


He purged his bimmerpost account after selling his M2 tho so no more pics and text to be found unfortunately.

FWIW this was him aka (teh_boost) https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/se...rchid=68809796
Thanks for the info. I am going to pull plugs just to check them soon after 2 tanks of boostane. If I see anything at that point I will just discontinue using it. I'll also record some datalogs with and without it.

The reason I started using it was that I was seeing timing being pulled without it on the BM3 Stage 1 ACN 91 tune, although that was also on the stock intercooler.

Maybe the CSF intercooler has done enough to IATs to prevent that.
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      04-06-2021, 05:11 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
Thanks for the info. I am going to pull plugs just to check them soon after 2 tanks of boostane. If I see anything at that point I will just discontinue using it. I'll also record some datalogs with and without it.

The reason I started using it was that I was seeing timing being pulled without it on the BM3 Stage 1 ACN 91 tune, although that was also on the stock intercooler.

Maybe the CSF intercooler has done enough to IATs to prevent that.
you'd be better off just adding 1-2 gallons of E85 to your 91 gas than continuously using boostane long term
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      04-06-2021, 05:18 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OG///M View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by CalAcacian View Post
Hey,

I recently flashed my car to the ACN 91 stage 1 tune with BM3, and I wanted to know if anyone has access to any actual dating showing AKI/Octane differences between gas stations. I know a lot of people swear by 76, but I am interested to see if there is any actual data to reflect that or any other higher or lower quality gas.
No actual data, but I also only use Shell 91.
So far so good but then again I'm not tuned.

I would think the best course for you would be to try Shell, 76, or Costco and log the car to see the differences.
Costco is probably one of the worst; speaking from experienced knowledge
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      04-06-2021, 07:01 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2 View Post
you'd be better off just adding 1-2 gallons of E85 to your 91 gas than continuously using boostane long term
Just doing some informal testing last night, I definitely saw a difference between running boostane to about 93 octane and putting in a full tank of 91 from 76. No knocking, but timing was pulled slightly on a few cylinders.

I've got a local gas station that sells E85, I am going to see how that compares.
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