Fuel Saving gizmos

[bigbadram51]

Has anyone read the Sept 05 issue of Popular mechanics. They did a study on all of the fuel saving devices. Here is a quick rundown. All done on the dyno

Fuel line magnets-- no effect on performance or mileage

Votex generators like tornado and intake twister-- reduced peak hp by 10 percent, intake twister increased fuel consumption by 20%, tornado no sig. change.

Engine Ionizer- Not real clear on what is does, beside clip onto plug wires and carry a "corona charge" from one cylinder plug to the electrodes of another. Its supposed to cause a partial breakdown of the large hydrocarbon molecules in al the non firing cylinders. This is supposed to result in combustion efficiency. Sounds a lot like voodoo magic to me. Anyway the pickup used for testing showed a 15% drop in power. Funny things happend while performing the economy test the rubber blocks the ionizers were made of started to melt and sag onto the exhaust manifold and smoked out the dyno room. They tried again and secured them a little bit better but this time one side liquified and caught fire (2ft tall flames). They stopped testing these and had no conclusive evidence. Hey they might actually work if you can keep them from catching fire.

There is one more but I wont get into it. It didnt work either and caused a power loss.

Good thing I havent bought any of these things. Just info for anyone else looking at them in these days of price gouging at the pumps

[Rollingbones]

In younger days (2-3 yrs ago) I tried the tornado and the fuel master (fuel line magnets). Neither stayed on very long and that was the end of voodoo mechanical practices (except for the exorcism I did four months ago...that one was a necessary...it got ugly there for a minute, but was worth it!!!).

[chuck16]

Best Fuel saving device, your right foot. Simply use your toes to excellerate instead of your size 11s and you'll be alright.

[jeverett]

I used to drive 75 everywhere I went except the 4lane or the Interstate, then I went about 85-90. I've started reducing my speed to about 65 around here and 80 TOPS on the interstate and I've noticed a considerable change in my mileage.

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by bigbadram51

There is one more but I wont get into it. It didnt work either and caused a power loss.

How come you don't want to talk about the other item? Have one on your truck? ha ha

Interesting findings on the Tornado. Actually more harm than good. No surprise on the other things.

Just paid 3.20/gal at Speedway. What a bunch o' s**t.

[99redsilverado]

whats the other one???

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by chuck16

Best Fuel saving device, your right foot. Simply use your toes to excellerate instead of your size 11s and you'll be alright.

11's?!?! I wish! Passed that shoe size up in middle school. It kinda sucks having big feet sometimes, especially if you're only 5'10" like me

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by BlenderWizard

11's?!?! I wish! Passed that shoe size up in middle school. It kinda sucks having big feet sometimes, especially if you're only 5'10" like me

No kidding. Maybe that explains my 14 mpg...sometimes those 13's get wedged up in there between the pedals and the dash.

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by twomorestrokes

No kidding. Maybe that explains my 14 mpg...sometimes those 13's get wedged up in there between the pedals and the dash.

Yeah, mine are also size 13

[bigbadram51]

Originally Posted by 99redsilverado

whats the other one???

Nope dont have one, didnt even think they had them for cars,
Water injection-- sounds crazy right. I knew back in the day they used it on high level bombers and fighter planes WWII era. Basically what it did was help cool the combustion chamber by spraying water or water/alcohol solution directly into the intake. "aquaTune" which was ordered right from the classifieds in the back of PM is "like no other no other water injection system" It produces hydrogen rich bubbles before being introduced into the draft. Then the more voodoo magic (or amazing science) happens an ultra sonic barometric pressure changer giving off ultra-sonic frequencies splits the water molecules to create hydrogen bubbles. The editor couldnt explain how it did it. Sounds very similiar to cold fusion to me or a variation of it. If this thing did that it would solve the energy crisis, producing hydrogen from water.

The results of this was 20 fewer hp and 20% drop in fuel economy

They used a 03 or older 5.4 Crew Cab Ford.

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by bigbadram51

The results of this was 20 fewer hp and 20% drop in fuel economy

They used a 03 or older 5.4 Crew Cab Ford.

Doesn't take much to bog down a Ford

[ColoradoSilverado]

Well, I load up my truck a lot, that's why I needed a longbed. I get a average of 17 mpg that's city and highway use. It's a truck not a sportscar !

[99redsilverado]

Originally Posted by ColoradoSilverado

Well, I load up my truck a lot, that's why I needed a longbed. I get a average of 17 mpg that's city and highway use. It's a truck not a sportscar !

17?!?!?! wow i would kill for that mileage.....i only get 12 if im lucky

[twomorestrokes]

Originally Posted by 99redsilverado

17?!?!?! wow i would kill for that mileage.....i only get 12 if im lucky

Never leave city streets? 12 mpg is even low for a 6.0 with 4.10's. I get 14 combined city/hwy. Even a little better lately since I've been trying to conserve. You should be up around 16-18 from what I've heard.

Nice to see gas back down to "only" 2.99 a gallon. They are conditioning us well.

[jeverett]

I hope I've gotten good this tank. I'm on 370 miles and have 1/4 a tank left. gas is also 2.79 in Lumpkin.. YES!!!