Tornado: Gimmick?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Tornado: Gimmick?
Hi guys, I'm intrigued by the ads for the Tornado fuel optimiser. It shows in their commercial how mileage/power can be increased by placing these things in the air inlet of your engine. I know that when something sounds too good to be true it probably is. However, has anybody had any good experience with this product? Thanks, John
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
Tornado: Gimmick?
I think all those things are for the most part, a waste of money. For the EFI Ford trucks, you have to buy 2 tornado kits because of the dual intakes. I've read in some magazine that after they put one in, they actually lost power (dyno run). A friend of mine says he's getting 20 mpg out of his 350 Chevy, but I don't see how. However, he has TBI, which is inefficient in the first place, so spinning the air in the circular air filter (like the old carburetor air filters) may actually do some good, but I don't think it makes much difference with multipoint EFI.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Tornado: Gimmick?
Thanks for the imput. After leaving this post, I found an earlier one in the aftermarket section. It is unanimous that everyone says it's a gimmick. I believe them and will not be wasting my money. John
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 316
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From: ca
Tornado: Gimmick?
my school counselor swears by it. he said that his late model van saw an increase and he just bought one for his 67 mustang.
Just read the fine print often they say some thing like * with adding the component and a full tune up.
Just read the fine print often they say some thing like * with adding the component and a full tune up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
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From: Missouri
Tornado: Gimmick?
This product is just another restriction to airflow. Swirling the air inside the intake port is where you get better fuel atomization. Swirling the air on the outside of the throttle body or carb does nothing but stop things from working the way they were intended. These are just a way for some guy to make a load of money. Sounds cool until you really think about it.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Mission Viejo USA
Tornado: Gimmick?
So if you're saying that swirling the air in the intake port is where the fuel atomizatin makes for better fuel combustion...does the Helix power tower really work? Because that is what it is supposed to be doing...atomizing the fuel into air mixture. What do you thnk?
-John
-John
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
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From: Concord, NC
Tornado: Gimmick?
I really don't see how the helix power tower is supposed to spin the air. It has the spiral ribs cut in the side, but the air going through the middle isn't going to grab the fins and spin. They might cause some turbulence in the air flow, but I really can't say. I'd still stay away from them.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
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From: Harrisburg, NE
Tornado: Gimmick?
ok know im not sure about the tornado itself but here a few years ago I built my own by taking a squirrel cage from a heater that was the correct size for the carb (inner diameter) cut out the solid side of the cage and folded the fins in to make it look like a cone. I put it on my dads 1 ton dodge(!) van with the 360 and gas mileage jumped from 11-12 to 17-18 and worked great until the fins on the base got weak and started falling into the carb! I built another, just not with the cone style it only did good at low speeds but that would have been due to lack of cfm for the 302. hmm, if the tornado doesn't work than maybe I should go into the biz and build some that will work.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 649
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From: Monterey bay area
Tornado: Gimmick?
its a gimmick.....beware....snakeoil!!!
swirling the air fuel misture must be done right before the valve right in the valv pocket.....this is done by professional portwork....
sculpting the ports is an art and should ONLY be done by a pro....low valve lift swirl is most desirable for our applications....
check out
www.replikamaschinen.com
swirling the air fuel misture must be done right before the valve right in the valv pocket.....this is done by professional portwork....
sculpting the ports is an art and should ONLY be done by a pro....low valve lift swirl is most desirable for our applications....
check out
www.replikamaschinen.com
