Has anyone have any bad experience or drawback from mixing xylene with gasoline in the Evo.

 

Hey man, check out this thread if you haven't already: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=77743

There's a link in the first post to some good info on octane boosters.

I personally have not yet tried Xylene or Toluene, but from the sounds of it, it is pretty safe as long as you use some sort of lubricant

 

yeah I already check the thread, but it still not very clear to me thought. Do you suppost to put some sort of lubricant in the gas tank along with Xylene?

 

Xylene is a lot more harsh than Toluene, will strip your paint, more expensive, needs a lube additive more than toluene, and only a little higher octane. I would just go to Toluene (114 octane). It makes a huge difference to dump a gallon or 2 in there per tank if you are running higher than normal boost, or it's really hot out.

 

I have been running a gallon of Xylene to 12 gallons of 91( makes 93 octane) for months (10000 miles). At least 15 tanks full. I put a few gallons of 91 in the tank. Then I mix it 50-50 in a two gallon can and dump it in. Then I fill up.
No problems, less knock, slightly better gas mileage. It is actually a little cheaper than Toluene at Sherman Williams, my favorite hook up. Price has gone up to a little under $9 per gallon. I like it because it is easy to carry a gallon with me. I have been careful but I got some on the paint once. I cleaned it off immediately and have suffered no apparent problem.
I would be nervous about adding more than two gallons to a tank. I just know what I have read in the NET.
I want to try water injection. I really feel that this is the answer to the 91 octane problem. I have yet to invest in a system.

 

-DRWN KIX-
Do you put in any lubricant which mentioned by machron1? If you do, what kind and is it neccessary?

 

I only use one gallon per tank so I don't think it is necessary. I would think about it if I was using more than two gallons per tank. (Which would get you to about 95 octane with 91 as a base)

 

Both Toluene (~114 octane) and Xylene (~117 octane) will raise octane and yield more energy. Contrary to what the makers of little cans of octane boosters want you to believe, you have to use a considerable amount of either to significantly boost fuel octane. A little 16oz can won't really do squat.

If you use more than 20-30% of either in your gasoline, you may run into starting problems because I believe neither atomizes quite as well as straight gasoline.

In any case, if you start with 92 octane fuel:

Toluene
10% - 94.2
20% - 96.4
30% - 98.6

Xylene
10% - 94.5
20% - 97.0
30% - 99.5

I am not certain as to if use of a 'lubricating agent' is necessary or even desirable, but FWIW, I believe the 'lubricating agent' used in commercial octane boost products is simply automatic transmission fluid.

 

This is consistant with my reading and limited experience.

 

For those in 91 octane land this means 1 gallon Xylene with 12 gallons 91 octane = 93 octane. 2 gallons of Xylene with 11 gallons of 91 gives 95 octane.

To expand on the theme. It is my understanding that the only way to increase octane more than Xylene requires metallic substances which are bad for oxygen sensors and the like. Ergo, if a one pint or quart of octane booster actually increased tank octane to say 100 then you shouldn't use it.

To get your tank to 100 octane you would have to put 4.5 gallons of Xylene with 8.5 gallons of 91. This is near 33% and I would not like to predict the outcome of this strategy on things like pumps, seals and your wallet. On the other hand people make and sell unleaded 100 to 103 octane fuel which might be made just the way you would make it.

 

Quote:

I am not certain as to if use of a 'lubricating agent' is necessary or even desirable, but FWIW, I believe the 'lubricating agent' used in commercial octane boost products is simply automatic transmission fluid.

That doesn't sound really safe to me thought...putting transmission fluid into the gas tank.... >_<

I live in the area of 91 octane gas., I just went and bought a gallon of Xylene from home depot for $10. Anyway, so it is safe to put a gallon of Xylenen into a tank with 10-12 gallon of 91 octane gasoline, right....

PS: thanks for all the help guys.

 

I don't know if it is safe but I do it. I mix it 50-50 with gas before putting it in the tank.

 

EDIT: Sorry I mis-typed. I meant 1 gallon + 13 gallons, non-inclusive...I'll change that. You are also right in that the 2nd formula is for Xylene. Dunno where my head was.

Is $10/gal extra acceptable for you as a long term solution?

1 gallon of Toluene + 13 gallons of 91 octane ~= 92.64 octane for about $6.00

1 gallon of Xylene + 13 gallons of 91 octane ~= 92.85 octane for your $10.00

for $10.00 worth of Toluene you could do a mix like:

1.66 gallons of Toluene + 12.33 gallons of 91 octane ~= 93.66 octane for $10.00

I get 5 gallon containers of Toluene from a Chevron petrochemical company called Tarr (www.tarrllc.com) for $30.00.

 

That works out to $6/gal, which is still pricey. I believe the last price quote I obtained for a 55 gal drum of toluene was about $2.75/gal.

 

Just curious, why did you calculate for 13 gallons total? EVO gas tanks are 14 gallons.


Correction... second formula should be for 1 gallon of XYLENE.