We are a family business: Martin and Emily Lee, who have been running Birch Performance since 2018. Martin is an expert in supply chains and a lifelong performance car nut. Emily has built a career on writing about people, and tech. She has lived with Martin's car obsession for many long, long years. (Rachel and Nicky round off the team. Their love of cars is developing fast)
We started off by selling race fuel to our friends in the performance car scene, as resellers for Renegade fuel. After a while we added Klotz additives to the product range. We started to see that there was a lively market for performance car supplies, so we added more additives - which proved really popular.
Jump forward a few years and we are running Birch Performance full-time. Now, we have a great range of oils, additives, cleaners, greases and coolants. Not to mention our Armorgard storage range, brilliant Portable Power Packs and must-have Fire Safety Sticks. We love going to track days and getting out in our Nissan GT-R, alongside serving the other drivers!
Our vision is a place where you can find the very best products for your performance motor. Somewhere we would come ourselves to buy quality products, be inspired - and get great prices.
This is a tight business, where price volatility can be difficult to manage. We aim to offer the best products and delight our customers with personal service and freebies or offers for buying multiples.
If you ask Emily, she'll tell you Martin can answer absolutely any question on anything. Especially anything car-related. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us to see what we can do for you, your garage or your club!
]]>As a seller of race fuels and other hazardous goods, we wanted to provide a solution for secure and safe storage and fire protection. We only stock the best products that we would personally recommend, so we are excited to announce we are now a reseller for Armorgard UK.
We know our customers need secure storage around the home and garden, as well as in the garage and onsite premises. We have chosen a selection of tool and equipment storage products, as well as a number of options for fire safety storage.
Within the tool and equipment storage range, you'll find the original secure toolsafe: the Strongbank. If you need something larger but still portable, there are van and site options in the Oxbox range. There is even a walk-in version within the Forma-stor flat-pack containers range.
When it comes to transporting race fuel, the Transbank is ideal. There are smaller options for keeping jerry fuel tanks in your boot, removing an unnecessary fire risk. The larger options will happily store multiple race fuel barrels, with room for additives and jerry cans.
Check out the new secure storage range in our new Trackside and Workshop area of our site! And you'll find the hazardous goods alongside our other Fire Safety products. There is plenty of information about each product on the pages, but we are always happy to answer your questions - send us a message using the new Chat function, or the Contact Us page.
]]>Here are our top tips for winter car essentials (you can buy some of the products we suggest here).
(Note: this isn't your usual list of products like scrapers and de-icers! If you need one of those, visit the AA).
1. Prepare for a dead battery
If you're keeping your car under cover to avoid the worst of the weather, then you might find when you come to run it that the battery has given up. Especially if you tinker with the odd part under the bonnet without taking it out for a proper burn. Test your battery before you put it away so that you can replace it if you need to.
Ideally, use something like a CTEK trickle charger. If that doesn't work - or you don't have one - then as an insurance, invest in a portable battery pack like our brilliant Portable Power Pack.
2. Add a fuel stabiliser to avoid fuel spoiling or fuel tank corrosion
There is a long running-debate when hibernating your car: whether to fill the tank with fuel or leave it empty.
As it gets colder, there is more moisture in the air and condensation can form in the fuel tank. Modern fuels tend to contain ethanol which is hygroscopic. That means it will absorb moisture from the atmosphere which leads to the fuel breaking down, with the potential for the petrol and ethanol elements to split. Which is terrible. This condensation, when left unchecked, can also cause your fuel tank to rust (hence why people advise leaving a tank full).
A good fuel stabiliser can prevent this by introducing ingredients into the fuel that actively absorb any moisture and prevent fuel breakdown. This allows the moisture to go through and be combusted as normal. This is likely to become more of an issue with the introduction of E10 fuel (read all about that here).
We highly rate the Klotz Higher Octane Booster as an effective fuel stabiliser. It also offers fuel system cleaning and octane benefits.
3. Use a fuel system treatment
Everything gets a hard time in the winter, so it's a good idea - and cheap insurance - to run some fuel system cleaner through your tank and run it through.
4. Have a tyre pressure pump handy
Tyre pressure can have a tremendous impact on vehicle stability when being used, but also on the tyre structure when being stored. If storing, make sure tyres are pumped up at the higher end of the pressure range to ensure they keep the best shape possible. Periodically check them. When using your car through winter, grip becomes tremendously important through rain and icy conditions. Even one tyre at low pressure can effect the stability of the vehicle and its ability to find traction or grip.
If you've got a plug-in tyre pressure pump that's powered from a 12v socket, this can be powered by our Portable Power Packs without impacting your car battery. Trust us, it's massively convenient!
5. Make sure you keep emergency items to hand
Load your car with the essentials should you get stuck. Create a handy bag including:
You're more likely to end up stuck in your car or queuing in traffic so seriously consider what you would do in the event of a fire. We supply the excellent Fire Safety Sticks which can be stored pretty much anywhere without the need for servicing.
Whatever car you're running, get ahead of winter car worries and enjoy those bracing winter drives when the time comes!
]]>All these problems can be alleviated by a high-quality, all-in-one octane booster and fuel stabiliser.
]]>Wondering about the change to E10 petrol? We’ve heard a lot of questions about the new fuel standard, and what it might do to your engine.
There are plenty of reasons to welcome E10. But there are definitely concerns for older engines in terms of E10 compatibility. We’ll cover three potential problems - and give some tips on what to do if you’re worried.
What is E10 fuel?
E10 is the new unleaded fuel standard. It contains 10% renewable ethanol (bioethanol) and replaces the previous E5 fuel (5% bioethanol). Basically, this new fuel contains extra bioethanol.
Bioethanol is a renewable energy source which can be used as a fuel in vehicles - but derived from corn rather than dinosaurs. When it burns, it releases lower emission levels which is why it’s being increased in everyday fuels.
We already know that ethanol is an excellent fuel. We sell loads of it into very high performance cars (which are tuned for ethanol). It’s particulate-free and relatively clean-burning, thanks to the amount of oxygen in the burning process. Indirectly, crops grown for bioethanol absorb CO2, helping to offset the emissions from the rest of the fuel.
Does E10 petrol pose any problems for engines?
There are three potential problems with increasing the proportion of bio-ethanol in unleaded fuel:
We don’t just want a list of problems, though! We want to give you clear actions you can take to mitigate each one.
Problem: Ethanol should always be used in an ethanol-compliant fuel system, where the components are compatible. Ethanol can swell up certain rubbers and plastics, as well as corroding metal. It can also dissolve lubricant layers between parts, increasing wear.
In older cars, with rubber lines, the rubber may swell using E10 fuel. These fuel systems tend to contain rubbers, neoprenes and polyurethanes that are susceptible to swell in the presence of ethanol. They may stop doing their jobs and start to break down.
You’re most likely to get a problem with classic cars, pre-millenium cars, motorbikes and petrol lawnmowers (or other petrol-run maintenance equipment). There are now a number of ethanol protection system fuel additives available. We supply Millers Oils EPS (ethanol protection fuel system additive), which has been endorsed by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC).
What to do: E5 has been blended with UK unleaded for 10 years. We don’t know, right now, if this increase to 10% will be enough ethanol to start seeing these problems but it’s best to assume so. (or could you say, but if you have any concerns then this is what you can do)
For now, the UK government is providing an E10 compatibility checker. If you’ve got an older car, check to see if you’re on the compatible list on the E10 checker. 92% of cars are. If yours isn’t, then stick to super unleaded, which is unchanged. Super unleaded in its current form will be available for another 5 years.
Problem: Because ethanol contains so much oxygen, you need to put more fuel in the cylinder for a safe air/fuel ratio (AFR). Modern cars tend to run electronic fuel injection. This provides some capability to adjust engine parameters - such as amount of fuel added and changing timing.
With a move to E10 in regular unleaded, newer cars will adjust fueling accordingly. Older cars, however, may not have the capability to adjust. They risk running lean - meaning there is not enough fuel flowing through. This increases engine malfunction (i.e. knock and/or engine pre-ignition).
What to do: If you’re concerned about performance or potential engine damage, then as above: stick with unchanged super unleaded. You can also add a high-quality octane booster such as Klotz; see below for more information.
Problem: This one - phase separation - is potentially our biggest concern. Ethanol is hygroscopic - meaning it absorbs moisture out of the air. Moisture bonds to the ethanol molecules, causing separation of the fuel. This means:
All of this means that fuel won’t store for as long - so it spoils more quickly.
What to do: If you’re using your car infrequently, or have concerns about phase separation, then you should use a fuel stabiliser. Klotz Higher Octane Booster stabilises fuel and prevents phased separation of fuel. It also provides lubricity to the upper engine components, which can negate the effects of additional ethanol.
In fact, if you’re storing your motor over winter, a fuel stabiliser is essential regardless of the E10 fuel change.
E10, octane levels, and petrol quality
Just a quick note. When this change happened in America, it was suspected that the non-ethanol element - the petrol it’s blended with - was of lower quality and less refined.
We know that bioethanol is of higher octane. However the octane numbers in the fuel weren’t changing (95 RON in the UK).
If ethanol is increased, the octane level needs to be brought back down to 95 RON from somewhere. We suspect this means poorer-quality petrol in the blend.
So - should I be concerned about E10 fuel?
Ethanol is a fantastic fuel. The issues those with newer cars should be concerned about are around:
All these problems can be alleviated by a high-quality, all-in-one octane booster and fuel stabiliser.
We recommend and rate Klotz Higher Octane Booster to help stabilise fuel as well as keeping it in tip-top condition. It reduces fuel-related engine knock and detonation. (and for general protection a bottle can last for 3 or 4 tanks when used sparingly)
For the record, at Birch Performance we use Klotz HOB in all our unleaded cars, alongside super unleaded - up to and including our 1200 BHP Nissan GT-R.
Super unleaded isn’t changing for now, so is the best option for older cars. If you’re in a bond and cannot get the right octane grade, then Klotz can be used in a higher dosage.
]]>"We are aware of at least seven fires now in competing rally motorsport events in the last few months, where the Fire Safety Stick has been deployed successfully to stop a car fire and preventing further damage...
]]>"We are aware of at least seven fires now in competing rally motorsport events in the last few months, where the Fire Safety Stick has been deployed successfully to stop a car fire and preventing further damage. In the majority of cases, it’s been when the traditional extinguishers required by the governing body failed to extinguish the fire. As a result, more and more drivers are carrying the FSS in addition to the compulsory extinguishers.
It has now prompted the FIA (the world governing body for motorsports) to approach Fire Safety Sticks directly, as they would like to have the Fire Safety Stick fully approved. And just to add to that, one of the leading Formula One teams has bought a significant quantity of Fire Safety Sticks to have within the pit garages at all the Grand Prix as well as exhibition events they hold."
Watch this space to find out the team name - it's top secret for now!
]]>Fire Safety Stick is an innovative portable extinguishing device with remarkable extinguishing capacity, designed to aid in the suppression of incipient fires and for use as a personal protection device. It is a simple and easy way to ensure that you are prepared in the event of a fire in your home, office or vehicle. Small and lightweight, the Fire Safety Stick is environmentally friendly and can be safely stored for easy access in an emergency, preventing the fire from getting out of hand.
]]>What is the Fire Safety Stick?
The ideal fire extinguisher to always keep close. Incredibly small and light, this works on all major classes of fire leaving no damaging mess afterwards. The product lasts 15 years with no servicing needed. Easy to use and durable in all conditions, the Fire Safety Stick is completely safe and environmentally friendly. It can even be left to fight the fire while you escape to safety.
What is the discharge time of the Fire Safety Stick?
There are two options available depending on their minimum discharge times – 50 seconds and 100 seconds. Just compare that to a traditional powder extinguisher weighing 1kg to 2kg: these would only have a discharge time of just 7 seconds (providing it has been correctly maintained)!
Does it make a mess like traditional extinguishers?
NO! The discharge gas form the Fire Safety Stick is totally clean and will not leave any damaging residue. During discharge, a chemical reaction does take place which occasionally expels a trace amount of soot from the casing. Even in the most extreme instance, the net total of discharge is so minuscule compared to a traditional extinguisher that it is effectively considered to be non-existent. Beyond the clean nature of the discharge, FSS is non-corrosive, non-toxic, and environmentally safe. Compare this to typical powder or foam extinguishers which often create more damage and mess than the fire itself.
Is it safe to transport?
The two components necessary for the ignition of the FSS are placed on opposite ends of the device, rendering accidental ignition during transport and storage impossible. Also, because the FSS is not pressurised at all - unlike traditional extinguishers - you do not need to worry about any associated risks with them. Of course we would always recommend sensible safe practices when storing them.
But I have had this extinguisher for nearly 10 years and it still has a green pressure gauge...
Regular fire extinguishers MUST be serviced every year and professionally replaced after five. The pressure gauges are a well-known failure point: the rubber “o” rings inside easily perish and the gauge will stick. Plus the contents in powder extinguishers clump together. Then in an emergency when you really need that extinguisher, it will fail or only give you a few seconds of fire fighting time. But with a Fire Safety Stick, you have no regrets: even without any maintenance, after 10 years it will still give the full fire fighting capacity that it would have done on the day you bought it.
But I could buy a normal extinguisher for a lot less!
Yes, you could, but overall the Fire Safety Stick is much better value and will cost a lot less in the long run. Traditional extinguishers only have a shelf life of 5 years maximum and even then, only if they are serviced every year (which will cost you further). The FSS needs no servicing at all, and has a proven shelf life of over 15 years. Depending on the risk of different classes of fires, you may need to have two different traditional extinguishers. The Fire Safety Stick, however, is suitable for all major classifications so you only need one. Finally, if you did use a traditional extinguisher or accidentally set it off, the mess it creates will cost you an awful lot more. The FSS leaves no mess, no residue and no corrosive damage.
Does it have a British Standard Approval or Kitemark?
The FSS has the European CE mark of approval. It also has numerous other certifications from around the world, including independent tests to confirm its ability to extinguish classes A, B, C, Electrical to 100,000 volts and class F Fires. Currently, it does not have the British Standards (BSi) Approval and therefore, a Kitemark. Because the Fire Safety Stick is a totally unique system, current guidelines do not apply to it at all. It doesn’t even come under the BS6165:2019 for small disposable fire extinguishers, as it’s a non-pressurised, non-aerosol type. Therefore, they would need to create a whole new approvals process for this type of extinguisher which has only been introduced to the UK market since Spring 2019.
]]>If you're not sure what you need or why you need it then we have put together some useful tips:
Q: What are Octane Boosters? (fuel additives)
A: Octant boosters generally split into four categories. Power adders, fuel system cleaners, all-in-ones and then those that don't really do anything (junk!)
Q: Which Octane Booster should I use?
A: This will be dependent on your needs and your budget. The Klotz Higher Octane Booster is a superb all-in-one product that can not only add significant octane, but also clean your fuel system and preserve fuel for long periods of time. This is suitable for use with petrol and ethanol fuels.
If you're after a lower-cost fuel system treatment to use on a regular basis, then the Silkolene One Shot FST offers a credible alternative to Redex.
Top 6 Octane Booster options:
We have two duration options including 50 seconds and 100 seconds. The shorter ones are ideal for smaller cars or to keep in your toolbox; the longer ones for bigger cars or motorhomes.
Grab yours today and enjoy the feeling that fire safety is under control at home and on the move.
]]>How do we do it? It's by taking the mystery out of Race Fuel!
Not everyone knows what they need, or what would be right for their engine. We know our fuels and additives, and we can help you choose the protection you want - or the power you crave.
Our exclusive Automotive Fuel Guide is here to help you make the best decision. And if you need more information, just get in touch!
]]>We want to do things differently. We don't expect our customers to have all the answers, and we want to deliver a product that is perfect for your set-up. If you need any advice, please just contact us!
We believe our site is straightforward and easy-to-use. Once you have selected your fuel, simply visit the Delivery page and add the carriage option for your postcode to the basket. Then checkout with confidence that your payment and personal data is safe.
Welcome to Birch Performance. A different way to buy Race Fuel!
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