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Ranking The Best Octane Boosting Additives Of The Year!

Improve your performance with one of the best octane boosters.

Best Overall Choice

RACE-GAS 100032 Race Fuel Concentrate

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Best Premium Choice

Lucas Oil 10026-PK12 Octane Booster - 15 oz

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Best Budget Choice

Blue Magic NA30-12PK Turbo 108 Octane Boost

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octane enhancers

With a world full of additives for vehicles, it’s tricky to know what works and what doesn’t. Premium vehicles do better when they’re running at optimal levels, but you don’t want to dump just anything into the tank. Using the best octane booster, allows you to increase the flow of your engine and bump up your vehicle ratings. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best octane boosters on the market today.

What are Octane Boosters?

Octane boosters are fuel additives meant to increase your fuel octane rating. They aren’t that effective in a regular vehicle, but in premium vehicles or race cars, you’ll see an increase in power and efficiency. Increasing the octane rating can dramatically increase engine performance, if done correctly.

The octane rating of gasoline simply indicates how much compression your air and fuel mixture can take before it combusts. Basically, it’s the hydrocarbon compound of your fuel. The octane impacts your acceleration and also supplies a knock resistance to the gasoline used.

The octane rating of gasoline that you need depends on several factors. These include the engine compression ratio, spark timing, and engine temperature controls. Faster vehicles require a higher octane rating than those with standard engines. That’s why a high octane booster fuel additive is helpful for premium vehicles.

Benefits of Using Octane Booster

RON is the measurement used for octanes. It stands for Research Octane Number. Modern engines run on 91, 95, or 98 RON. Some engines use 100 RON, but generally only in race cars or boats, not normally in a passenger vehicle.

Because newer cars look for higher octane, there might be issues when using fuel measured at fewer than 91 RON. Often, this signifies poor quality or even some contaminants are present. If this continues, your engine might suffer and start knocking.

To prevent wear on the engine, most modern vehicles will operate in a lower power phase to avoid too much stress. When this occurs, your performance and fuel economy feel the effects. By increasing your RON index, you prevent the additional strain on the engine.

In addition to that, a good octane booster also stabilizes the fuel and acts as a fuel system cleaner as it actively helps to clean the fuel and fuel related components.

Choosing the Best Octane Booster

We’ve been through all the bestselling products from the best brands to handpick these ten options for you. When searching searching for a good octane booster, you’ll want to evaluate everything by the following criteria.

Performance

Obviously, the most critical aspect is how much booster your additive supplies. That’s why in our reviews below, we made sure to list the octane level you could achieve.

Cost

If you regularly use octane booster, the cost adds up. You’ll want to factor that in with your purchase. Most people like to consider it an additional fuel expense or maintenance for their vehicle since it helps to protect the engine.

Turbo-Safe

If you drive a turbocharged vehicle, it’s imperative that you use an octane booster that’s compatible with your engine.

Capacity

Even if two octane boosters come in the same size bottle, it’s important to read how many gallons of fuel they treat. That’s because not all of them work in the same proportion. This is a great way to evaluate what you’re getting for the money you spend.

Catalytic Converter Safe

Just like not all octane boosters are safe for your turbo, there are some that won’t work with your catalytic converter either. Make sure you read labels carefully. Some boosters may not be street legal because of this.

Does Octane Booster Work?

Octane boosters definitely raise the octane level of fuel. It’s the rate at which they raise them that you need to pay attention to. That’s why finding the best fuel booster is essential; you don’t want to just grab a product from the shelf and hope it works.

Premium octane boosters won’t let you down and always deliver the results they claim. With that said, there are plenty of boosting products available that won’t deliver on their claims, which is why you need an expert like us to weed through the results for you.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the type of car you’re driving makes a difference as well. For example, driving an older car with a small carbureted engine probably won’t feel many differences in performance with an octane booster.

On the other hand, if you drive a supercharged, modern car that uses an adaptive ECU, then running an octane booster is going to provide better fuel consumption and higher performance. This is even truer if you use a car that runs on 98+ octane fuel.

If you don’t drive a modern vehicle, there are still ways to improve the performance of your automobile. Simply tune it with a dyno to use higher octane levels. This allows you to run aggressive timing and improve your performance.

How Much Octane Booster Should You Use?

This depends on which product you choose. You need to factor in the amount of fuel you’re treating and the source of fuel. On each bottle, there will be clear instructions as to the proper amount to use.

For example, if one bottle treats up to 25 gallons, you’ll want to be aware of that when you put it in. It’s also important to know that when manufacturers refer to 10 octane points, they measure it as one octane level. For example, if a booster says it increases octane by 8 points, that simply means 0.8 levels.

Because an octane booster works over time to improve performance, it might take several treatments before you receive the largest benefits from the additive.

Out Top Ten Best Octane Boosters Reviewed

To help you make sense of everything out there, we’ve put together a list of the top ten choices for the best boosters. We’ve evaluated these based on the criteria we outlined and feel they are your best options.

Best Overall Choice

1. RACE-GAS 100032 Race Fuel Concentrate

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As the name states, this option is best for race cars that require octane ratings exceeding 100 RON. With this option, you’ll see an improvement with throttle responsiveness, torque, and power. Aside from race cars, it’s also a viable option for your small airplane or boat as well.

This formula won’t harm your catalytic converter, fuel components, or O2 sensors. On top of that, it contains no alcohol. The downside to that is this product sits on the expensive side of our list. It’s one of the top octane boosters, but it will cost you some extra dough.

2. Royal Purple ROY11757 MAX BOOST

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If you want premium performance upgrades at a fraction of the cost of some other products then you’ll be pleased with Royal Purple. This fuel stabilizer is designed for use in the most extreme conditions and backed by a high-quality manufacturer. The formula also protects non-hardened valves and engine heads from wear.

It’s going to raise your octane levels about 30 points, or 3 ratings. On top of that, it effectively cleans out your fuel injectors. What’s interesting about this formula is that you can use it in an unleaded or leaded gasoline tank. It’s also compatible with gasohol or ethanol blends.

Royal Purple also protects against the onset of phosphorus poisoning in catalytic converters, making it a versatile addition. Unlike some other options, this booster reduces emissions in the process of boosting your performance.

3. Torco F500010TE Unleaded Fuel Accelerator

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If you want the most complete option on the list, this is your winner. Torco’s been in business since 1948, so they’ve built a solid reputation for producing quality products. This booster is suited best on the race track because it hits octane levels of well over 100, sometimes even 105.

It’s only recommended to use in newer engines and doesn’t significantly increase power in an older motor. In addition, it offers prevention against engine jerking and knocking. What’s best about this product is that you could combine it with some other additives and create your own customized blend without an issue.

The downside to Torco is that it’s difficult to store because it’s light sensitive. In addition, the fumes might lead to skin irritation. Be aware of this before your purchase so you can ensure maximum levels of safety.

Considering you can use the entire 32-ounce bottle on just five gallons of fuel, you are also looking at quite an expensive additive when used to those ratios.

4. Klotz Octane Booster

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Klotz is another industry leader; they’ve been around for more than 50 years. They’ve been a favorite among engine enthusiasts and race car drivers. This highly concentrated formula fights those pre-ignition pings caused by spark plugs. Because it works to make the spark plugs more efficient, there’s less knocking involved.

This huge container could treat a good amount of fuel. If you use it to the fullest, it raises octane levels by up to 10 numbers. On top of that, it lubricates the car’s upper cylinders and absorbs the moisture from your vehicle’s internal components.

Considering this large container can treat many gallons of gasoline, it really isn’t a bad deal. It’s also versatile and could be used in power equipment such as lawn mowers for additional performance gains. If you purchase octane booster in bulk, this is your largest bottle option. With that said, it’s also a little tricky to optimize; you’ll have to perform your ratios carefully.

5. 104+ 10406 Octane Boost

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As one of the oldest octane booster products on the market, 104+ provides quite the power to automobiles. It began as an additive for muscle cars back in the 1970s and has grown to become a versatile option. The high impact synthetic combination leads to superior acceleration while also cleaning the fuel housing.

104+ is proven to reduce engine problems such as hesitation. It’s also a fantastic fuel injector cleaner and increases the mileage of most engines. It’s not easy to find improvement with both fuel economy and engine power.

You can expect gas octane ratings to rise by about 9 points, or 1 octane number. If this isn’t as much as you hoped for, you can choose the Maximum Boost ratio instead which offers double that amount. Unlike some other options on the market, this octane boost choice won’t go bad sitting on your shelf, so you don’t need to use it all right away.

With this formula, you’ll experience less throttle jerking plus it doesn’t impact the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, or spark plugs. On the flip side, it’s not generally used for on-road vehicles, but best on the race track. Because one bottle treats up to 18 gallons, it’s also a good return on investment.

Best Premium Choice

6. Lucas Oil 10026-PK12 Octane Booster - 15 oz

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If you’re new to the world of octane enhancement, this Lucas octane booster is a great option for you. It’s safe to use in conjunction with a variety of engines, and the best way to get your feet wet. It works with carbureted engines as well as turbochargers and fuel injectors. If you worry about the environment, you’ll be happy to know that this choice as an octane booster also facilitates cleaner fuel burning and reduced emissions.

It also won’t harm your catalytic converter or oxygen sensors located in the exhaust supply. If you’re hoping to reduce the knocking or pinging sounds of your engines, this is a solid option. You can’t find something on the market that offers the same bang for your buck as this product does.

The portable design of the container makes it a great choice for taking with you on the road. You can have it handy when you hit the gas station. The only downside to the booster from Lucas Oil is that there’s MMT included which causes a reddish cloud from the solid manganese oxide created during combustion.

7. Johnsen's 4688-12PK Octane Booster - 12 oz

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This small bottle treats up to 20 gallons of fuel at a time to offer maximum performance gains from your engine. It’s a great solution if you want to stop the pinging or knocking of your engine. It also protects your motor from further damage.

This formula is safe to use with catalytic converters, sensors, and turbochargers. On top of that, it cleans out the fuel intake system and eliminates build-up. It’s like having two products for the price of one. With this power, you’ll also experience better fuel economy.

Many people find that this is a great solution if the vehicle has sluggish performance, rough idle, or stalls. In fact, it’s offered in a 12-pack at a reasonable cost. This makes it ideal for carrying around with you when you use regular pump gas at your local filling station.

8. Maxima 83916 Hi-Test Octane Booster

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This bottle might look small and expensive, but it treats up to 64 gallons of fuel, so it’s sure to last for a good amount of time. What makes this different than some other options is that it’s all organic and contains no metal. That makes it compatible with more fuels than most products

You can use it with any gasoline including nitro mixes and those with alcohol. With use, it eliminates knocking and pinging to protect your engine from destructive damage. On top of that, it increases horsepower and compression ratios.

Depending on the ratio used, you could increase your octane level by 4. It’s also safe for all sensors, catalytic converters, but not turbochargers. You could purchase it as a single bottle, but there’s a better deal if you buy in bulk.

9. Mag 1 157 Premium Octane Boost

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This formula from Mag 1 is an excellent product. A small 12-ounce bottle treats up to 21 gallons of fuel. Not only does it give your acceleration and power an extra boost, but it also stops those annoying pings and knocks.

Even if you just need to fix some rough idling, this should do the trick. That’s because this formula utilizes FMS to reduce friction inside the engine. While it does this, it also cleans out the fuel system and increases your fuel economy.

You can use it with catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, and turbochargers as well. When you purchase a 12-pack, you get an insane price per bottle that can’t be beaten by any other product.

Best Budget Choice

10. Blue Magic NA30-12PK Turbo 108 Octane Boost

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If you want the best octane booster for a classic muscle car, the Blue Magic formula is a great choice. With an older muscle car, you’re going to run gasoline that has different formulations than a modern vehicle or race car. This booster accounts for those differences in the way it’s created.

The company claims a boost of up to 7 octane ratings which helps you restore any lost horsepower. It’s also safe to use with your catalytic converter and oxygen sensors. With this system, you’ll effectively clean out the fuel injectors to achieve a superior fuel economy as well. Use it with any type of gasoline engine and any fuel. With one bottle, you’ll be able to treat up to 16 gallons of gasoline.









About Brian Jones

Brian Jones spent over 30-years at various dealerships as an ASE Certified Master Tech. These days he works with those dealerships to create quality automotive content while spending more time with his family near Dallas, TX. In his spare time, you'll still find him playing with tools, cars, and many other "manly" gadgets. Brian's passions include traveling, pickup trucks, and anything related to motorsports.

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