Summary: in a test commissioned by the Australian magazine Fast Fours (November/December 1999) and carried out at the independent laboratory Intertek Testing Services, the real octane rating of 11 commercial octane boosters, pure toluene and a racing fuel was measured. The NF Additives booster (then called NF Racing Formula, now identified by NF Additives as NF Race Octane Booster) achieved the biggest octane increase of all the additives: +2.8 RON, tied with Nulon Pro Strength, but using less than half as much product per litre.
Who ran the test and how was it measured?
The article, written by Greg Brindley, was not based on seat-of-the-pants impressions or label claims. The samples were analysed at Intertek Testing Services, an independent testing laboratory, using a knock test engine: the compression ratio is increased step by step until the fuel starts to knock, and that point determines its octane rating (RON).
- Base fuel: premium unleaded petrol from a Shell station in Melbourne, which measured 96.8 RON in the laboratory.
- Dosage: each additive was precisely measured and mixed according to its manufacturer's recommended dose.
- Samples: each product was tested separately, under the same conditions for all.
Results: measured octane of each product
Ranked from the largest to the smallest octane increase over the 96.8 RON base petrol:
| Product | Bottle | Treats up to | Measured RON | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NF Racing Formula (NF Additives) | 250 ml | 80 l | 99.6 | +2.8 RON |
| Nulon Pro Strength | 500 ml | 60 l | 99.6 | +2.8 RON |
| Toluene (pure hydrocarbon, not a commercial additive) | 20 l | 100 l | 99.3 | +2.5 RON |
| Amsoil Series 2000 | 354 ml | 57 l | 98.8 | +2.0 RON |
| NOS Racing Formula | 355 ml | 60 l | 98.6 | +1.8 RON |
| ELF HTX 330 | 1,000 ml | 50 l | 98.6 | +1.8 RON |
| VP Racing C5 | 355 ml | 75 l | 98.1 | +1.3 RON |
| Super 104+ | 473 ml | 83 l | 97.7 | +0.9 RON |
| Wynns Octane 10+ | 325 ml | 60 l | 97.6 | +0.8 RON |
| STP Octane Booster | 350 ml | 57 l | 97.4 | +0.6 RON |
| PowerFuel Super Street | 946 ml | 35 l | 97.0 | +0.2 RON |
| PowerFuel MaxRace | 946 ml | 35 l | 97.0 | +0.2 RON |
For reference, the laboratory also measured a straight racing fuel (VP Motorsport 103), which gave 107 RON. It is not an additive but a fuel that replaces petrol.
Why the NF result stands out: concentration
NF and Nulon tied on final octane, but not with the same amount of product:
- NF: 250 ml for 80 litres, a dose of roughly 0.3%.
- Nulon: 500 ml for 60 litres, roughly 0.8%.
- Toluene: 20 litres per 100 litres, 20% of the blend, to reach +2.5 RON.
That is why the magazine noted that, if the tie were decided on concentration, NF would be the clear winner. With less than half the dose per litre of its rival, it achieved the same increase and beat toluene, which needs a far higher proportion.
What does +2.8 RON mean in practice?
The base petrol went from 96.8 to 99.6 RON, above the 98 RON super unleaded sold at European filling stations. More octane means more resistance to knock (engine "pinking"). This matters most in turbocharged, high-compression or remapped engines, and in engines working under high heat and load.
What you should know about this test
- This test dates from 1999. The formulas and doses of all the products, including NF's, may have changed since then.
- The measured increases depend on the base fuel and the dose used. Current product specifications may differ from the figures in this test.
- The data come from the original Fast Fours article and the Intertek measurements. NF Booster Europe did not take part in the test.
The NF product from this test in our shop
The NF Additives racing octane booster is sold today as NF Race Octane Booster. It eliminates knock and pinking, is safe for catalytic converters and oxygen sensors, and one bottle treats a 45 to 60 litre tank. You can also browse our full range of octane boosters.
Frequently asked questions
Is this octane booster comparison independent?
Yes. It was organised by Fast Fours magazine and the octane measurements were carried out by Intertek Testing Services, an independent testing laboratory, using a knock test engine.
Which octane booster won the test?
NF Racing Formula (NF Additives) and Nulon Pro Strength tied at +2.8 RON. NF achieved it with less than half the dose per litre, making it the most concentrated.
Do octane boosters really work?
According to this laboratory test, yes, although results vary widely between brands: from +0.2 to +2.8 RON with the same base petrol. That is why it is important to choose a product with measured results.
How much does an octane booster raise octane?
It depends on the product, the dose and the starting petrol. In this test, the best additive took a 96.8 RON petrol up to 99.6 RON.
Source: Fast Fours (Fast WRXs) magazine, November/December 1999, article by Greg Brindley. Measurements: Intertek Testing Services. Images courtesy of NF Additives.