Motor Breath: The High-Octane Classic
Motor Breath: The High-Octane Classic
Strain Overview
Type: Indica-Dominant Hybrid (70% Indica / 30% Sativa)
Breeder: Pisces Genetics (Jimmy Nitz)
Lineage: Chemdawg D x SFV OG Kush
Market Status: The "Gas Standard"; along with Sour Diesel and OG Kush, Motor Breath is one of the Holy Trinity of fuel-forward strains. It is the gold standard for smokers who want their weed to smell like a hazardous chemical spill rather than a fruit basket.
THC Content: 26% – 30% (Heavy Hitter)
Dominant Terpenes: Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, Humulene
Key Effects: Sedative Knockout, Euphoric Haze, Pain Eraser, "Stoney" Paralysis
In a modern cannabis landscape obsessed with "dessert" flavors, Motor Breath stands as a defiant monument to the old school.
Bred by Jimmy Nitz of Pisces Genetics, this strain was created by colliding two of the most potent and pungent strains in history: the legendary Chemdawg D and the classic San Fernando Valley (SFV) OG Kush. The result is exactly what you would expect from such a volatile marriage.
It is loud, it is aggressive, and it is unapologetically chemically. Motor Breath is widely considered one of the purest expressions of the "Gas" terpene profile available today. It doesn't just smell like fuel; it hits with the horsepower of a V8 engine, delivering a crushing Indica stone that has made it a favorite for high-tolerance veterans and medical patients alike.
History and Lineage: The Collision of Titans
Motor Breath is a direct descendant of the two families that built the American cannabis industry.
The Mother (Chemdawg D): The "D" cut is arguably the most sought-after phenotype of the original Chemdawg line. It is famous for its distinct "garlic, onion, and chemical" funk and its soaring, almost hallucinogenic potency.
The Father (SFV OG Kush): The backbone of the West Coast. The SFV cut provides the classic "lemon-pine-sol" aroma, the rock-hard bud structure, and the heavy, narcotic body effects.
The Synthesis: Motor Breath takes the cerebral, chemical weirdness of the Chem D and anchors it with the physical weight of the SFV OG. It is a "best of both worlds" hybrid for lovers of funk.
Terpene Profile: Diesel, Garage, and Skunk
If you are trying to be discreet, do not open a jar of Motor Breath. It is chemically loud.
Dominant Terpenes
Myrcene (The Heavy): The dominant terpene. It provides the dank, earthy musk that creates the strain's sedative, "heavy eyelid" effect.
Limonene (The Solvent): Unlike the sweet citrus of Gelato, the Limonene here smells sharp and industrial, like lemon degreaser or carburetor cleaner.
Caryophyllene (The Fuel): The spicy, peppery note that hits the nose like diesel fumes. It creates the "nose burn" that indicates high-quality gas.
Flavor Notes:
The Aroma: It smells of spilled gasoline, old tires, skunk spray, and lemon cleaner. It has a metallic, industrial quality.
The Smoke: Thick, expansive, and lung-expanding. It tastes of fuel, earth, and garlic-onion funk. It leaves a savory, oily aftertaste.
Strain Effects: The Stall Out
Motor Breath is not a morning strain. It is a "park the car" strain.
The Experience
The Impact: The high hits hard and fast. It starts with a disorienting cerebral rush (thanks to the Chem D) that can be almost racy for a few minutes.
The Idle: The energy quickly fades into a heavy, foggy euphoria. You feel happy, but your thoughts slow down significantly.
The Stall: The SFV OG genetics take over, and a wave of physical numbness spreads through the body. The "couch-lock" is real and intense.
The Sleep: As the high wears off, it acts as a powerful sedative. It is difficult to keep your eyes open after a heavy session.
Best For: Insomnia, chronic pain management, appetite stimulation, and ending a stressful week.
Growing Motor Breath: The Stinky Reward
Motor Breath is a rewarding plant, but it demands respect (and odor control) in the garden.
Growth Structure
The Structure: It grows with a classic OG structure—lanky and vine-like with large internodal spacing. It requires trellising or staking to support the branches.
The Smell: Warning: This plant reeks. Even in the vegetative stage, it has a funky odor. In flower, you will need high-quality carbon filters to scrub the air.
The Appearance: The buds are round, dense, and "golf-ball" shaped. They are often bright neon green with rusty orange pistils and a heavy coating of greasy resin.
The Finish: It finishes flowering in 9 to 10 weeks (mid-October outdoors).
The Sensitivity: Like many Chemdawg crosses, it can be sensitive to light leaks and stress. It prefers a consistent environment and steady feeding.
Grower’s Tip: Motor Breath is prone to stretching when flipped to flower. Be prepared to super-crop or train the canopy early to manage the height. It loves Cal-Mag and benefits from a thorough flush at the end to smoothen out the chemical flavor.
Final Verdict: The King of Gas
Motor Breath is a strain for the purist. It rejects the modern trend of fruity, candy-flavored weed in favor of the raw, industrial funk that defined the early 2000s. It is potent, pungent, and physically devastating. If you are looking for a strain that smells like a gas station and hits like a freight train, this is the only fuel you need.
You should choose Motor Breath if:
You are a "Gas Head" who loves Chem/OG flavors.
You need heavy sedation or pain relief.
You have a high tolerance (25%+ THC).
You want authentic, old-school genetics.
Score: 9.6/10 (The High-Octane Classic)