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Gas Saving Gizmos & Gadgets

332 messages,  Last post on Jul 20, 2009 at 12:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Fuel System, Performance Mods, Fuel System, Truck, Sedan, SUV

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#42 of 332 air filters? by oldharry Mar 10, 2002 (8:48 am)
I see the claims for improved power/economy for aftermarket air filters, and ask, Has anyone you know attached a digital vacuum gauge ABOVE the throttle plate, and driven the vehicle at constant speeds on the same roads before and after the change? If the filter is really reducing restriction, there will be measurable vacuum above the throttle with the stock filter. Some years ago I used a clear plastic tube with a teaspoon of water for a manometer, and could not measure a vacuum above the throttle on my car at idle. The system did not allow me to test it under load with any equipment I had available at the time.   This was in the late sixties when self proclaimed "experts" were turning their air cleaner covers up side down to "increase air flow". Some of us at the school did an experiment (U S Navy fleet training - mechanics, Davisville Rhode Island). We asked ten of our students if they would participate, and not look under their hoods. We had them fill their tanks every Monday and Thursday. We checked their oil that day, and either installed the covers correctly or turned over. They were told to drive normally, and report the amount of fuel, and miles on the car at each fill up. Without exception, the times when the cover was upside down for "more air" the fuel economy went down.   The reasons most likely were:   1. The carbuerators were less efficient when the air heating system did not work. 2. The engines required more throttle to produce the same power when not fully warmed up but after choke opened. 3. Some restriction was required to insure proper mixture with the carbuerator.   I now tend to be very skeptical about claims for air filter devices. The manufacturers can reduce restriction if there is enough to matter, by simply increasing the size of the flter element. The only possible time there could be a problem IMO is wide open throttle.   That problem actually did exist in the sixties on some Chevy II's. GM accidentally put air cleaner housings for 4 cylinder engines on some sixes. The tsb said to measure the diameter of the intake opening and replace with the appropriate part number if wrong.   Harry
#43 of 332 Air filters by scotian Mar 10, 2002 (10:17 pm)
Merely replacing the stock air plumbing with something non-restrictive helps the most, and this usually ends up with a cone filter, so it's hard to say just how much the filter by itself does. As long as the new filter gets outside (not engine compartment) air, it is an improvement.   What is this upside-down cover stuff? Was it meant to get more air through the same filter? If it gets more engine air, it was a stupid mod, unless warm air was desireable for carbuerators.
#44 of 332 Back in the 70's (long hair days) by zr2rando Mar 11, 2002 (4:27 am)
We used to turn the breather covers upside down too! We did it because we liked the sound better (it increases the noise under the hood). We were not efficiency engineers by a long shot, we had no idea if we actually were helping or hurting things, didn't care, just liked the sound... Back then, we all drove pickup trucks that had the breather snout still located under the hood, taking in underhood air anyway, so turning the cover over just gave the carb MORE access to the same underhood air,,,none of our trucks got good mileage anyway so we didn't really help or hurt at the time. And bye the way I have a K&N air filter on my trucks now (normal replacement size,not the cones), I did not get it for any mileage gains or any added HP, didn't expect it and have not gotten it as far as I can tell...added air flow would only help at high rpm and I don't drive that way..I bought them just to avoid replacing normal filters over the life of the vehicle, I keep vehicles for the long run and lifetime things have paid for themselves over the past several years. If you want some better mileage try hooking up a vacuum gauge and pay attention to it while you drive, it will change your driving habits (keep you lighter on the gas pedal) no jackrabbit starts/stops etc, you may be surprised how much difference just driving habits make. see y'all
#45 of 332 air filters , tornado, and gains by bess Sep 07, 2002 (8:31 am)
It is possible that aftermarket air filters could increase HP. However, to allow the extra air to flow also allows more dirt in the engine.. (This has been shown in several studies with K&N filters for example) The check for this was to do an oil analysis..   I think it would be interesting to do a double blind study with a group of drivers and the tornado.. For each driver, calculate the average mpg that they get for a normal week or 2 of driving. Then install a device on half the vehicles, (but don't let the owners know whether it's been installed on their vehicle or not). Then run for another few weeks and compare the results. There are probably more controls and items needed in the testing protocol, but the idea is to eliminate the drivers habits from the equation.
#46 of 332 An easy way to More MPG by fgf001 Nov 19, 2002 (8:07 am)
Switch over to to a full synthetic oil such as Mobil 1, Red Line, Amsoil. I experienced a 2-3 MPG increase immediately with Red Line 10W-30.   Keep you car in top tune.   Check tire pressures weekly.
#47 of 332 synthetics by bess Nov 19, 2002 (5:27 pm)
My experience with synthetics (Amsoil) after using it for a full year is 0 (0.0, .00, no, nada, null) improvement in MPGs. I check my mpgs at every fill since the truck was new, and continue to do so even after stopping the use of synthetic oil.   The single biggest factor of MPG is driving habits.
#48 of 332 aw Bess, by steve_ HOST Nov 19, 2002 (7:06 pm)
It's all cumulative - you have to soak the Tornado in synthetic for a couple a days and then you'll get up to 1.5 additional mpgs.   Steve, Host
#49 of 332 Snake Oil/Snake Devices by bburton1 Nov 20, 2002 (8:02 am)
Saw an article about one of the companies the FTC put out of business for misrepresenting a snake oil additive containing Teflon. What was interesting was the owners history. He had been at this bottom feeding trade for over 20 years. Betcha same is true of the people selling all the gadgets mentioned in the above series of posts.   Guess old PT Barnum was right-"there is a sucker born every minute."
#50 of 332 P.T.Barnum by tronsr1 Nov 20, 2002 (12:01 pm)
He was absolutely 100% correct.
#51 of 332 Tornado story by kaitsu Nov 27, 2002 (9:14 pm)
I was looking for comments on the Tornado fuel saver as a good friend of mine installed the Tornado on both their Civic and Accord vehicles. All the negative postings here at Edmunds prompted me to let you know about his experience on the device. Re MPG, no difference on either vehicle. On HP, the Civic showed marginal effect, but the Accord showed a significant improvement in acceleration after installing Tornado. Don't ask me why as I am no mechanic. I am still debating if I should install one on my Acura Legend.

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