[NeedAntiVenom]

Octane refers to length of the carbon chain which is utilized in the production of the fuel. In the case of gasoline, it refers to the comparative resistance of the fuel to self ignite (knock) under pressure as exemplifed by the "ideal" antiknock carbon chain "octane". Tetraethyl Lead used to added to less expensive pentane, hexane and heptane based fuels in an effort to make them act more like octane in resisting self ignition under compression. Lead, like Wendy's burgers (yum) and McDonalds hot coffee, is bad for you. So instead, they began using Metyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE) as a substitute for lead. Not only does this taste like McDonalds coffee, its not much more effective at reducing knock.

Some aircraft fuels still contain lead, and have octane ratings as high as 115.

High octane fuels are expensive because they are expensive to refine and manufacture. Personally, I would not fiddle with octane boosters - either run race fuel (VP racing, etc.) or use a reasonable compression ratio. BTW - methanol in larger percentages with eat your aluminum engine parts, ethanol makes you feel woozy and lands you on the couch, and leaded fuels will (chemically) clog a catalytic converter within a few minutes.



Man, I could go for a burger...