Quote:
Originally Posted by NitrousG35
There is a science behind air swirl and fuel atomization. The smaller the droplets of fuel are, the better the combustion. I understand the concept behind the Tornado fuel saver. Swirl characteristics are designed into combustion chambers and intake and exhaust ports. Intake manifolds are also designed with swirl enhancement in mind. Air that has controlled turbulance creates more power and fuel efficiency.
With that said, this piece looks like more of an impediment to airflow than an assistance. The Si intake tube was designed for proper airflow on a stock motor. Placing something inside the tube would only limit the amount of air getting to the intake. If something like this was that good at improving performance and fuel economy, you would think the manufacturers would have used it years ago.
To me, it is another deal like the infamous cow magnets placed on cars back in the 1970's to improve fuel economy. The magnets along with the Tornado fuel saver were debunked at Mankato State University Engineering. MSU profs debunk gas savers — Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) – 2004-06-06
I do want to say that it is important that we try and think outside the box. Conventional thinking limits what we can do. I support the OP's willingness to try something out. If he feels the gains are noticeable and the product is worth the money, more power to him. What we don't want to do is to mock or make fun of people trying something different.
For me, I will spend my increasingly hard earned dollars on ideas I know will work. I really wish that there were magical things that could improve the efficiency of our cars, but alas, we all know how expensive it is to make improvements on our cars. |
As always, Bill proves he's the Jedi Master here.
I would also add that if the throttle body spacers provided by P2R and other companies would have these blades integrated into the center, it would produce the same effect while not impeding the air flow. I recall having a throttle body Tornado piece for my 1995 Pontiac Firebird that improved throttle response greatly for about $50.00. It was a simple thing that I could've built myself out of a soda can, but the concept was the same: don't impeded air flow but produce the "atomizing" effect for the air. I believe the best place to produce the swirl is at the throttle body itself, where the air is at its highest velocity entering the intake manifold.
And why does atomizing work so well? Same reason you put cooling fins on a remote controlled airplane or car engine - surface area increase. Swirling the air atomizes the fuel into smaller particles, as Bill mentioned, but the reason this is effective is because you've created MORE surface area, in essence, because there are more smaller molecules in the mixture rather than fewer larger ones. Fuel will combust and burn better if ALL of the fuel is burned without any being left behind unburned...a smaller particle of fuel is going to burn thoroughly within the mixture.
Anyway, that's how I've come to learn the effect of these tornado'ing products, but the fact remains - if you restrict the air flow in the process of swirling it, you're shooting yourself in the foot.
