Question -

Can octane booster really substitute for premium gas?

I am looking at driving my Whipple-charged '07 GT from storage in Nebraska to my home in Alaska and premium fuel is not always available...

I would prefer to avoid hauling cans of gas with me - strapped down who-knows-where... but I don't want to risk engine damage.

Opinions?

 

The answer is no. I see that you are only making 350 ish rwhp, I am assuming you are not making a ton of boost. If you have to run a lower octane, you will be fine as long as you keep you foot out of the gas and just cruise. You other option is to get a tune that pulls out a bunch of timing or to reduce your boost. Octane boosters really only raise octane by .5 of a point and you really cannot just keep adding more till you get to the desired octane.

 

Octane boosters are also hit and miss, depending on what's in them. Some work, some might as well be water.

 

No. Pay the 10 cents for premium

 

Read the whole question, he is worried that there may not be premium avalable the whole way from NE to Alaska.

 

Take JD's advice, he's pretty much right on the money like usual.

 

My bad. I didnt read the thread this time, I just saw the title and got aggrivated since theres 200 of these.

 

LOL I thought the same thing when I saw the title. I will this, the OP has ***** to want to drive from NE to AK.

 

Well if you have ever watched a truck refuel a station then all then you know all tehy do is add octane booster to there (different grades) to get 87,89,93, so someone here isnt up to snuff, many octane boosters suck, the nos brand (race) not street brand raises like 6 or 7 numbers, i use it when i cant buy race fuel for my nitrous use havent had any problems with it, it is about 10$ a bottle but worht the money, the outlaw brand is good too and about half the price! that is all i can say!

 

Thanks for the replies. Saw this everywhere too on forums - but was posted by people trying to save cash, not driving through the land of 85-87 octane.

I'm still looking at driving the car up in late April or early May...

even though I 'only have 350' at the wheels - I love to take great care of my car. My plan is to strap some plastic cans on top of a non-skid pad over my trunk. This will get me enough range to make it between Interior Canadian Metropolises (Edmonton, Dawson Creek, Ft. St. John, Whitehorse). If I get some wear damage, I am planning on repainting anyway. Besides, the windshield and hood/bumber/everything-up-front is going to take a beating!

This will be my fourth trip up or down the Alaskan Highway - first with a Ranger (early April), second and third with a F-150 towing a trailer (Feb, March). By this time of year the roads should be completely clear, with a little risk of snow still in the passes, but will be ahead of Winnebago season. The worst part is frost-heaves north of Destruction Bay, Yukon Territory.

Of note - since I am living just north of Fairbanks - my plan is to at some point drive the car all the way to Deadhorse on Prudoe Bay, Arctic Ocean. This is the furthest north you can drive in the Americas.