[JKen_0115]

Hello,

I'm running STG2 BM3 with all supported mods but keep suffering the shitty 93 gas quality in IL. I have read the different threads and found out the couple brands like VP, Torco and Boostane, could you suggest which is the best for M2 OG STG2 condition?

[GerardzM]

Lucas Oil Octane booster works well. It's about 7 dollars a bottle at Walmart.


14 dollars at autozone....which is infuriatingly stupid.

Full 15oz bottle to a full tank works wonders. But be ready to clean spark plugs...possibly sticky injectors if you use it long enough.

[Pray for Mojo]

Boostane Professional is the best, it has a proprietary chelant that keeps the active ingredients suspended in the gasoline. It also has better results than actual race gas. I've used it for 12 months now 20,000km, 1/3 can per tank with no ill effects. Demon owner tried out all the different race gases and came to the conclusion that it makes the most power.

[JKen_0115]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

Boostane Professional is the best, it has a proprietary chelant that keeps the active ingredients suspended in the gasoline. It also has better results than actual race gas.

Do I still need to clean spark plug and other stuff as above mentioned?

[nioh_lbbm2]

There was a forum member on here not too long ago (now sold his m2 and purged his account) that used boostane and all his internals were smeared with bright orange residue.
spark plugs, downpipe, o2 sensors, exhaust, etc. I wouldn't use any octane boosters at all.

Here's a similar thread where people experienced this: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1338438

[Pray for Mojo]

I haven't had any misfires or issues with it, it turns the plugs orange but all MMT does. The actual part of the plug that creates the spark doesn't seem affected. It leaves a light residue on the inside of the exhaust tips as well. MMT was the go to additive in high octane gasoline in the 80s and 90s but with the roll out of catalytic converters the refiners dialed it back.

[GerardzM]

Originally Posted by JKen_0115

Do I still need to clean spark plug and other stuff as above mentioned?

Yes, fellow member (SupraM)...not sure I spelled it correctly uses MMT religiously and has had to do maintenance because of it.

He uses Lucas Oil....MMT works, just be aware that there are those drawbacks.

[Pray for Mojo]

I haven't cleaned my plugs, doubt you even need to really, here's one with 15k miles on it. The electrode is clean, and that's the only part that matters. I think the orange is worth it, considering the risk of superknock with crappy gas.

[JKen_0115]

Thanks for those comments. Will you guys suggest 1 can with 13 gallons 93? I'm thinking about the cost vs get Sunoco 260 GT gas direcrly

[Pray for Mojo]

If you just want to fix timing on 93 OTS just add a 1/4 can of Professional not Premium and see how it responds on logs.

[ZM2]

Use the Boostane phone app to figure out how much you need. I go with Premium bc it comes in a smaller can and it doesn’t take that much more to hit high octane levels vs Professional.

Assuming 93 octane costs me $3.40/gal, my effective $/gal with Premium is $3.75 to get 98 octane. $3.70/gal with Pro.

There’s also a point of diminishing returns based on how much you add. For instance, starting with 93, only 0.13 of a 32oz can of Pro is needed to hit 98 octane. Double that amount to about a quarter can, and you’re only at 99.5 octane.

Aiming for 98 octane with Premium or Pro seems to be the best bang for the buck. Plus, that means less orange residue.

[Pray for Mojo]

The app works if you know what you're getting from the pump behaves as advertised. I start with "94" on a 91 OTS map and need 1/4-1/3 can to get clean timing. As far as I can tell I'm starting with gas that acts like 87, and with 13.7 gallons I need 10oz or so to make 93-94. Some folks down south are able to add a couple ounces to achieve the same results. JKen in Chicago is likely drawing from a similar fuel supply I am, we ship heavy crude down to Chicago and the Midwest and that's what seems to give the poor quality gasoline.

[Rock Sweden]

If available in your area would e85 be a better option?

[ZM2]

Originally Posted by Rock Sweden

If available in your area would e85 be a better option?

Overworks the HPFP if you’re pushing more boost. Altho, adding booster is always a PITA. I’ll try E30 gas and the map tomorrow to get some logs while it’s hot out.

[Pray for Mojo]

I tried running the E30 tune recently but it crashes my pump at E30, also it takes longer to crank and runs like shit when below 10 celsius.

[TT1351]

Many octane boosters will claim a 3 or 4 point bump in octane values, leading one to believe that their lowly 91 octane is now 94 or 95 octane. My understanding is that the boost is only .3 and .4 increases in the octane rating yielding either a 91.3 or 91.4 octane value, some may work better than others, and some are just snake oil.
I have used leaded racing fuel in my liter bikes, and while it makes them run great, after a while I would experience lead fowling of the plugs, the result was going up a hill under load it felt like the clutch was slipping, turned out the plugs were lead fowled. I know we can't use lead in cat cars, or even cars with no cats as the lead creates issues with the cat if installed or 02 sensors which are on everything new. So it looks like many of the current boosters may help to some degree, the added maintenance would concern me, and while spark plugs are easy to swap out, who know what the internals of the motor looks like, and swapping out this parts are considerably more challenging.

[Pray for Mojo]

There's only a handful of legit octane boosters, the stuff at the gas station will only give you a tiny increase like you mentioned. Boostane, Torco, Race Gas, and Royal Purple all work and give substantial increases.

[JKen_0115]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

There's only a handful of legit octane boosters, the stuff at the gas station will only give you a tiny increase like you mentioned. Boostane, Torco, Race Gas, and Royal Purple all work and give substantial increases.

I just confirmed I'm able to access racegas 110 unlead so do you think it would be cost effective if I mix 93/110 to 100 over by using boostane? Just don't want to clean the yellow stuff.

Also thinking to get E85 mixed since I can access that easily.

Thanks.

[Pray for Mojo]

Originally Posted by JKen_0115

I just confirmed I'm able to access racegas 110 unlead so do you think it would be cost effective if I mix 93/110 to 100 over by using boostane? Just don't want to clean the yellow stuff.

Also thinking to get E85 mixed since I can access that easily.

Thanks.

If you are trying to run the race gas map I would use the pump 110 blend. The boostane should only be used to fix up crappy pump gas 91/93 for the 91/93 tunes. You could also figure out the ratio of 110 to add for pump gas tunes vs using the boostane. Cost might also be a consideration if the 110 is like $8-10/gallon.

[JKen_0115]

Originally Posted by Pray for Mojo

If you are trying to run the race gas map I would use the pump 110 blend. The boostane should only be used to fix up crappy pump gas 91/93 for the 91/93 tunes. You could also figure out the ratio of 110 to add for pump gas tunes vs using the boostane. Cost might also be a consideration if the 110 is like $8-10/gallon.

If I can get E85 mixed with Octane 93, I should be able to run E30 map instead. I'm assuming the overall performance will be better than STG2 93 Octane?

[Pray for Mojo]

Originally Posted by JKen_0115

If I can get E85 mixed with Octane 93, I should be able to run E30 map instead. I'm assuming the overall performance will be better than STG2 93 Octane?

If your HPFP will tolerate E30, that tune is on the edge of what the pump can handle. Mine crashes on E30, but I also live in a slightly colder place.

[ZM2]

This brings up a question: can we look at E85 as just another form of octane booster?

Meaning, if your HPFP isn’t strong enough for E30 and you can only do E20, is it OK to run the pump gas maps with E20, just to raise octane a bit?

Or, are there other inherent differences bn the pump gas and Exx maps, and this isn’t recommended? Altho, if you can’t run more than E20, it probably makes more sense to just use booster to increase octane.

So, I guess I’m wondering if it’s OK to use the pump gas maps with a tank of E25-30? I’m thinking about if I’m headed to the track with a tank full of E30 on a hot day and need to dial the tune back bc of IATs.