[PanFx]

After doing extensive on-line research, I decided to try mixing up a tank of Toluene + Xylene. I used the following mix:

1 gallon Toluene
1 gallon Xylene
8 gallons Super Unleaded

Let me start by saying this isn't a mix you want to use every day. The cost to me locally for each chemical is about $15 per gallon. So in addition to my $4.60/gal. gasoline cost, tack on another $30... bringing the grand total to about $67 for a "hot" tank of fuel.

The experience was interesting. I had the TRD cold air intake and the TRD sport muffler installed a few months back, so the car is already quick. Based on my car computer readings, I lost about 8% to 12% in overall mileage just from the TRD installs. However, the performance increase was quite noticeable, especially when I reached the 2000 to 3000 RPM stage during a rev-up. I really notice the difference on the highway when I'm at about 70mph. If I jump on the gas the car effortlessly accelerates to 90mph. Oh, and with this new fuel mix, my mileage went down even further -- probably because of the temptation to gun the car. It was like the car was begging for high RPM. Whereas I would normally rev up to 4000 RPM on acceleration, I was now revving up to between 4500 and 5000 RPM.

Funny story: I encountered some kid in a newer model BMW 530i who was tailgating me because I passed him to get onto the freeway entrance lane. I guess he couldn't stand an economy car that cost 1/3 as much passing him. As soon as the light turned green, I gunned it around the corner and down the ramp. It was sooooo funny to see him losing ground. By the time I reached traffic, I was traveling over 100mph. I had to quickly back-off because of the presence of so many cars, which allowed him to catch-up and pass me. But the results were clear -- the extra boost in octane and the high-perf exhaust/intake mods really made a difference in performance. Mind you, the 530i is rated at 231 BHP and has a 3.0L 6-cylinder, so it was no slouch car. However, the difference in weight and the addition of my mods made all the difference. My lowly 2008 XB smoked a 2007 530i, and it felt great

Anyhow, the point of all of this is that it provided a nice extra kick in performance that one wouldn't normally get using standard fuel. While this isn't something I will be doing often, I do plan on trying it again in the near future. The fun I had zipping around was worth the extra $20 or so in fuel cost.

So far, no harm or strange side effects have been detected. The only side effect is that I now want to do this with every tankful! However, I respect my wallet and the environment, so I will only do this on rare occasions (maybe once per year or so).

[seppuku27]

Watch out going over 100 in Cali its a felony now...

You should either dyno it before and after your fuel mixture or take it to the track and see what kind of difference it made.

Also won't the Toluene and Xylene clog your cat or mess up the O2 sensor with too many uses?

[PanFx]

seppuku -- thanks for the heads up. I didn't know it was a felony. Holy crap, just the other day I was doing 95mph around 11pm at night because there was no traffic. I know the fines are steep, somewhere in the $240 for first offense, so I make sure that I'm in an area with no traps or heavy traffic.

As far as dyno'ing it, if I find a place that will do it for cheap, I just might do it. Here in San Diego they have street drag racing at the local Chargers stadium every Friday night. I might try it out and post the results on this forum. It might be a few months, though.

As far as damage to my O2 sensor and/or cat, I am not sure. Like I said in the parent post, I've done this once and won't be doing it often. If it does some damage, oh well. I'll just replace the parts and learn a hard lesson. However, life is too short to not have fun. Push it to the limit, I say!

[rosconey]

xylene will kill you-be careful-
we cant use it anymore on the job -

[LenZ]

I wouldn't worry about the cat and 02,Iwould worry about the plastic and rubber parts in the fuel system though.

[seppuku27]

Keep us posted if you dyno the car.

[seppuku27]

110 octane sure would mess with the cat and O2 sensor. Besides your going to need more than a stock set up to get any benefit from C16.

Wonder what turning up the timing up a few degrees would do to the box?

[texicali_xB2]

Originally Posted by PanFx

seppuku -- thanks for the heads up. I didn't know it was a felony. Holy crap, just the other day I was doing 95mph around 11pm at night because there was no traffic. I know the fines are steep, somewhere in the $240 for first offense, so I make sure that I'm in an area with no traps or heavy traffic.

As far as dyno'ing it, if I find a place that will do it for cheap, I just might do it. Here in San Diego they have street drag racing at the local Chargers stadium every Friday night. I might try it out and post the results on this forum. It might be a few months, though.

As far as damage to my O2 sensor and/or cat, I am not sure. Like I said in the parent post, I've done this once and won't be doing it often. If it does some damage, oh well. I'll just replace the parts and learn a hard lesson. However, life is too short to not have fun. Push it to the limit, I say!

aot more than that, my friends just got a 400 dollar ticket

[seppuku27]

Maybe I was wrong about the felony thing because I can't find anything by googling it. But I remember it was on my local new a few years ago. Looks like doing over 100mph is 2 points on your driver license, 760 min fine, and 10 years on your driving record.

[gretchnbill]

Originally Posted by rosconey

xylene will kill you-be careful-
we cant use it anymore on the job -

+1 -that chemical has been removed from many industrial coatings