Experience with Torco fuel accelerator?

[dp1]

...to enhance 91-93oct pump gas?
http://www.torcousa.com/torco_product/un_acce.html

Racer friend swears by Torco. E85 is not readily available at or near most popular tracks in North East so evaluating fueling options for built engine @ 20psi boost.

Pros
- reduces knock in high compression high boost engines.
- need relatively small amounts for good gains, 100oct.
- 30% cheaper than buying 100oct at track.

Cons
- leaves orange-ish residue on spark plugs and exhaust, does not appear harmful.

My current HPDE consumption with 93oct + 13psi JR C38 HBP + 5gal per 30min session + 4 x 30min sessions/day = 20gal/day.

For each HPDE day:
- @ 13 psi boost - 4x32oz Torco ($80) + 20gal 93oct ($60) = $140 for 107oct.
- @ 13psi boost - 2x32oz Torco ($40) + 20gal 93oct ($60) = $100 for 103oct.
- @ 13psi boost - 20gal 100oct bought at track = $200.
- @ 13psi boost - 20gal 93oct bought at track = $60.
- @ 20psi boost - 6x32oz Torco ($120) + 30gal 93oct ($90) = $210 for 107oct.
- @ 20psi boost - 3x32oz Torco ($60) + 30gal 93oct ($90) = $150 for 103oct.
- @ 20psi boost - 30gal 100oct bought at track = $300.
- @ 20psi boost - 20gal 93oct bought at track = $60 with lowered redline to max out boost to 13psi.

Unit costs:
$21 for 32oz Torco can if purchased in 6x32oz package for $120.
$15 for 32oz Torco if purchased in 5gal drum (same quantity as 20x32oz) for $300.
Pump gas 93oct rounded to $3/gal.
Track 100oct rounded to $10/gal.

Cost/gallon at $21 for 32oz Torco (box with 6x32oz cans price):
$15 for 5gal of 93oct + $10.5 for 16oz Torco = $25.5 for 5gal = $5.1/gal of 103oct unleaded.
$15 for 5gal of 93oct + $21 for 32oz Torco = $36 for 5gal = $7.2/gal of 107oct unleaded.

Cost/gallon at $15 for 32oz Torco (5gal drum price):
$15 for 5gal of 93oct + $7.5 for 16oz Torco = $22.5 for 5gal = $4.5/gal of 103oct unleaded.
$15 for 5gal of 93oct + $15 for 32oz Torco = $30 for 5gal = $6/gal of 107oct unleaded.

Looks like handling 32oz Torco cans would be more convenient than pumping from a 5gal canister, also considering Torco is sensitive to light.

Will be interesting to measure power and fuel consumption when JR RS pulley increases boost from current 13psi to 20psi at >100oct, together with new injectors and pump.

[justint5387]

Used these before on previous cars, they leave a orange residue on the exhaust and can foul the o2 sensors

[RFB]

Originally Posted by justint5387

Used these before on previous cars, they leave a orange residue on the exhaust and can foul the o2 sensors

As is normally said about Torco.

I have tracked with torco for almost 5 years in my FRS in smaller amounts boosting 94 octane up to about 98.

Also in daily driving with 94 whenever it pulled timing.

Only a SLIGHT orange colour to the spark plug residue, and after almost 5 years I am still waiting for any other colour anywhere else, and still waiting for fouling of the cats or o2 sensors.

Perhaps after 10 years of tracking ?



- maybe I'll keep using it ? - cheaper than race gas -

[Sgt.Gator]

I've used Torco Accelerator for a few years in my race cars. It works. it's more economic than race gas, especially when you buy it in the 5 gal size.

The downsides:
Mixing at the track is a bit of a pain.

Be sure not to forget to mix or have a crewmate fuel your car without mixing the Torco into the can! <Boom!>

It stains your spark plugs orange and will foul your plugs if you leave it in your car over the winter. In fact plan on replacing plugs every spring. I have no idea what would happen if you ran it every day.

The biggest problem, it settles solids to the bottom of the can. You MUST stir/shake the can every time before you pour it into your mixing/filling jug.

I assume if it settles in the can it's probably settling in my gas tank. That could be a disaster on the track. Therefore I did my best to shake the entire car and stir it up in the morning after a night sitting at the track. Now I have an external pump that moves fuel around in my saddlebag gas tank, effectively thoroughly mixing the gas before I start the car.

At SEMA I came across Boostane that the maker claims solves all the above cons. After I burn thru my remaining Torco this year I'll give Boostane a try. It's a little more expensive:
5 gal Torco Amazon: $295.75 shipped
5 gal Boostane from their website: $354.00 shipped.
To make 20 gals of 104 octane from 93 octane takes about 1 gal of Boostane @ $70.

[RFB]

Originally Posted by Sgt.Gator

I've used Torco Accelerator for a few years in my race cars. It works. it's more economic than race gas, especially when you buy it in the 5 gal size.

The downsides:
Mixing at the track is a bit of a pain.

Be sure not to forget to mix or have a crewmate fuel your car without mixing the Torco into the can! <Boom!>

It stains your spark plugs orange and will foul your plugs if you leave it in your car over the winter. In fact plan on replacing plugs every spring. I have no idea what would happen if you ran it every day.

The biggest problem, it settles solids to the bottom of the can. You MUST stir/shake the can every time before you pour it into your mixing/filling jug.

I assume if it settles in the can it's probably settling in my gas tank. That could be a disaster on the track. Therefore I did my best to shake the entire car and stir it up in the morning after a night sitting at the track. Now I have an external pump that moves fuel around in my saddlebag gas tank, effectively thoroughly mixing the gas before I start the car.

At SEMA I came across Boostane that the maker claims solves all the above cons. After I burn thru my remaining Torco this year I'll give Boostane a try. It's a little more expensive:
5 gal Torco Amazon: $295.75 shipped
5 gal Boostane from their website: $354.00 shipped.
To make 20 gals of 104 octane from 93 octane takes about 1 gal of Boostane @ $70.

My experience differs -
I have NEVER seen ANY solids in a can of freshly opened or older cans of Torco. I always look inside the can before using because of the red plastic plug that requires a mini screwdriver to pop.

In almost 5 years of continuous use, including leaving it in over the winter, NO fouling of the plugs, only a slight orange colour. Only one spark plug change after about 60,000, and they were still good only slightly orange. Replacement plugs still sparkin slick and and strong !

Interested in more info on Boostane though, and why the racing community has adopted Torco rather than Boostane.

[Sgt.Gator]

Originally Posted by RFB

My experience differs -
I have NEVER seen ANY solids in a can of freshly opened or older cans of Torco. I always look inside the can before using because of the red plastic plug that requires a mini screwdriver to pop.

In almost 5 years of continuous use, including leaving it in over the winter, NO fouling of the plugs, only a slight orange colour. Only one spark plug change after about 60,000, and they were still good only slightly orange. Replacement plugs still sparkin slick and and strong !

Interested in more info on Boostane though, and why the racing community has adopted Torco rather than Boostane.

Boostane is fairly new, 2014 SEMA Launch Pad winner.
Here's a video they made of Boostane vs Torco settling out. I have no idea if the video is rigged and just marketing hype or not.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-WmsURxC18"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-WmsURxC18[/ame]

[Sgt.Gator]

I did some more research and found a little more info:
Both Torco and Boostane use the same active ingredient, MMT. It's the carrier that's different and why Boostane stays in suspension.
They both tint your plugs orange.
There is some disagreement as to whether they both foul your plugs. YMMV.

There is a good thread on the GTR forum where they dug pretty deep into the science, claims, and testing. At the end of the thread the boosted GTR guys seem to be happier with the Boostane results on real world track testing than the Torco they previously used.
http://www.gtrlife.com/forums/topic/...booster/page-1

[imnotsureaboutbrz]

Are there folks still using this daily? I recently acquired my Brz and 90 is the highest octane we get, I'm just using enough to get me to '94', and it turns out that the Subaru dealership keeps a fair amount of Torco in stock. So it must be alright? Right?

[renfield90]

Originally Posted by imnotsureaboutbrz

Are there folks still using this daily? I recently acquired my Brz and 90 is the highest octane we get, I'm just using enough to get me to '94', and it turns out that the Subaru dealership keeps a fair amount of Torco in stock. So it must be alright? Right?

Dealerships will carry anything in stock if they think they can sell it. Don't take that as a ringing endorsement.

[Sgt.Gator]

There's an excellent series of stories at Engine Labs about Race Gas vs Meth Injection vs Boostane vs E85. Sadly, Torco wasn't part of the test.

https://www.enginelabs.com/author/bobmorreale/

For my part, I've stayed with Boostane for this seaon's racing. If you sign up for their emails twice a year you'll see an offer to buy their products at 20% off, where I snap up the 5 gallon pail.

[RFB]

Are there any sources in Canada for Boostane ?

Torco IS available from BRZWORLD in T.O. (Tarraunna), available for pickup every wed. night at the meets.

[Sgt.Gator]

Originally Posted by RFB

Are there any sources in Canada for Boostane ?

Torco IS available from BRZWORLD in T.O. (Tarraunna), available for pickup every wed. night at the meets.

I buy it direct from Boostane. They might ship to Canada. IDK.

[RFB]

Originally Posted by Sgt.Gator

I buy it direct from Boostane. They might ship to Canada. IDK.

They won't, poisonous stuff shipped to Canuckistan has to have the label also in French for our johnny rebs in Qwauckbec.
Yanks might put Spanish on some labels but never French.

Looks like Torco for us.

[Turbo]

Originally Posted by RFB

They won't, poisonous stuff shipped to Canuckistan has to have the label also in French for our johnny rebs in Qwauckbec.
Yanks might put Spanish on some labels but never French.

Looks like Torco for us.

Amazon.ca has it. $45 with free shipping. I'm thinking I may give it a try.