Tornado Fuel Saver

[roosteater]

Ok...I admit it...I'm somewhat of a sucker for infomercials. I love watching them. I even ordered my Bowflex based on the informercial. (Great purchase, by the way.)

The one that has me interested right now is this "Tornado Fuel Saver" thing. Is this thing for real? Anybody have any experience with this thing.

The claim is that it will improve air intake which will in turn improve both horsepower and fuel consumption. Same basic premise behind the K&N air filtering systems. (Off topic...I did put a K&N in my '98 F150 w/ 4.6 litre. It definately improved the fuel consumption and I'm also convinced that it improved the power, although I haven't any definitive proof of the latter.)

Oh...the price tag on it is $69.98 + $10.95 shipping and handling. No shipping charge on additional units ordered.

Anyhow...what does everybody think about this thing?

Thanks.

 

[Highbeam]

gimmick... don't do it.

My take on that gadget was that it swirls the air allowing more complete atomization of the fuel. Your truck is fuel injected so any swirling of the air won't affect the mixture of fuel/air.

Another interpretation of their infomercial is that it increases the velocity of the air by sucking it through the fan blades. It may do that- but sucking air through a smaller hole will always increase its velocity at the expense of flow. It's like taking a whiz out of a pinhole, I prefer flow.

The K&N you installed removed a restrictive stock air filter... good thinking, I have one too. The tornado obstructs your intake tract... I think bad. 80 bucks, geez.

I would spend the cash on removing the restrictive stock exhaust. Your goal should be to remove pumping losses and to allow freer flow through the engine.

If you do it, let us all know what happens.

 

[XphilX]

This device will help your fuel efficiency. It's a matter of how much that is the question. There are other devices that create a vortex leading to a better fuel and air mixture, which is the key here. One that comes to mind is a particular throttle body spacer (I can't think of the name right now, I belive you can find it at www.performanceexhaustcombos.com). This device will yeild even more power and fuel economy, but at a greater price.
Also, I agree with Highbeam that a performance exhaust would be a better choice. It will cost you more, however, but not too much.
You may also want to try and make your own "tornado fuel saver" if you have the resources with which you can do it for cheap.
Now, if you're hell bent on improving your intake, there's always a supercharger. One of these can lead to better fuel efficiency if you drive it right, but don't kid yourself, you ride a dirtbike, you have a heavy foot.
In conclusion, the "Tornado Fuel Saver" works, but in my opinion it is absolutely not worth the money given the other options.

Hope this helps.
-Phil

 

[Tennessee Thumper]

roosteater, You can check out a thread on the "tornado" at www.edmunds.com scroll down and click on car discussions and then pickups.I think the post was called "Tornado gas saving device" posted on 01/28/02.

 

[roosteater]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like this thing is a total fraud if that thread gives me a decent idea of people's actual experiences with it. The old adage "if it's too good to be true" seems to apply here, I guess.

 

[Milquetoast]

Yep, total crap. Sadly, some people will believe just about anything when they see a really convincing infomercial. I have been a victim myself, especially with the exercise equipment stuff.