pontiacivan

iTrader: (2)

Not specifically Third Gen, but it applies. So here is a "blast from the past" gimmick part, The Tornado Air Fuel Saver. This is basically a circular piece of tin with several twisted blades inside which were meant to start the intake air swirling for increased combustion efficiency resulting in power and mileage gains.I know, I know! But Bear with me. My dad purchased one back when they were in vogue, and at the local parts stores, to run in his Dodge truck. I made fun of his gullibility, but he insisted he had measurable gains in mileage as well as a "seat of the pants" feel that was noticeable. Each time he traded he would keep the Tornado but not install it right away. After getting hard numbers for mileage he would put it in and the trucks did "feel" different to me and he said the numbers improved by 2 MPG. He had certainly earned back the purchase price over time at that rate. Worth it, right?
So when the local Autozone was getting rid of obsolete product by essentialy giving one away with each purchase, I grabbed 2. Dad said "Remember to install it after the MAF !", which seemed logical to me. The honeycomb I the MAF would just try to straighten the swirling air. I don't know how it would affect one that was cut out. I wonder how many people who were disappointed by their results had them installed before their MAF? I stuck one in my slightly modified Vortec 5.7 . Low and behold, I could "feel" a change, not an increase in power per say, but more of a "flattening" of the curve at the low end. And there was the 2 MPG in my lifted Tahoe. So here's my question as it pertains to a fuel injected engine in general , does air that begins to swirl before the throttle blade continue to swirl all the way to the combustion chamber or is it straightened as it passes over the blade. If it continues to swirl, then both the theory and the application would seem to work, however slight. But if the blade substantially alters the shape of the airflow what might be a possible explaination for the increased fuel economy? Would the effect be even more pronounced it could be installed after the throttle body?

novaderrik

how much of the fuel economy gains were from the Tornado, and how much was from you subconsciously driving different trying to get better mileage out of it?

the only way to know for sure would be to do a blind test- have someone else either remove or install it without you knowing if it's in or not and drive it...

the only place i've ever heard of any significant gains in power or economy was the GN guys that put one right before the turbo inlet and it does some sort of magic to make more boost..

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

Acting like inlet guide vanes maybe? I could see that being the only place it could be worthwhile.

midnightfirews6

iTrader: (1)

http://www.popularmechanics.com/_mob...ileage/1802932
The air goes into the throttle body, through the intake, through the valves and into the cylinder. Whatever "vortex" could be created immediately after the tornado would dissipate, while the chunk of metal in the intake plumbing would just reduce airflow.

The best (and cheapest) way to get good gas mileage and performance out of a stock-ish thirdgen is through weight reduction, keeping it tuned up with good AC Delco ignition parts, and adjusting driving habits. If you're really serious about it, I guess you could find one with the Iron Duke 2.5 and a manual transmission and then slam it, mount really skinny tires, drop every ounce possible, and learn how to hypermile. A turbo setup (which the turbonator/ tornado thingy theory is partially based on) will give you great performance and gas mileage but building a reliable setup isn't cheap at all.

Generally speaking, there is no secret trick or "free lunch" or anything like that with gas milage... The smallest and lightest vehicle that fits your needs and comes with an efficient engine and manual transmission will be the most economical to own... And then you have more money for your weekend car

Jimmy64D

Inlet Guide Vanes? We don't have turbines in our cars, yet. I wonder if I could fit a Lycoming T53 in there? Hmmmm.....

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

Read the post. Was talking about the Buick GN.

http://papers.sae.org/2008-01-0301/