Tornado...or not Tornado
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Tornado...or not Tornado
OK, this is just an FYI for those who have ever wondered if it really works.
I just put in 2 Tornados, (the air swirly things for the intake), and was surprised by the results. I can feel a little more get up and go on the upper end and my mileage went from 13 to 15.8. (1st tank of gas so far). It also seems to have smoothed out my idle. I have to look at the tach every now and then at a light to see if its still running.
I was leary about them at first but I got a set for $40 on Ebay. Figured if I didnt like em then I could maybe sell em to the highest bidder back on Ebay. But I am happy with em.
And yes you do need 2 of them for the factory intake on the EFI's. The instructions said to install them by the air box, but since there is still a long amount of intake tubing to go through, I installed them in the tube right by the TB.
I just put in 2 Tornados, (the air swirly things for the intake), and was surprised by the results. I can feel a little more get up and go on the upper end and my mileage went from 13 to 15.8. (1st tank of gas so far). It also seems to have smoothed out my idle. I have to look at the tach every now and then at a light to see if its still running.
I was leary about them at first but I got a set for $40 on Ebay. Figured if I didnt like em then I could maybe sell em to the highest bidder back on Ebay. But I am happy with em.
And yes you do need 2 of them for the factory intake on the EFI's. The instructions said to install them by the air box, but since there is still a long amount of intake tubing to go through, I installed them in the tube right by the TB.
Last edited by BillyBob69; Apr 19, 2004 at 08:45 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Chino Valley
really? I got Fourwheeler magazine just after I asked about these things and there was a letter to them published about this tornado thing. They said they never worked and to save your money, but if youre telling us from a first hand experence, I may have to check it out!
Last edited by ANdrewdrice; Apr 19, 2004 at 11:03 AM.
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Lead Driver
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From: Wheatland, Mo
I like it. Now I'm not talking about seat of the pants type performace increase, but it is noticeable if you know your truck. I usually cruise on the way home from work about 80 and since I put them in, it seems to get there easier and faster than before. Plus I can give it a little more and it doesnt argue..it just goes. Before I put em in, i replaced 11.58 gallons after 150 miles. On the first tank after installing... 11.2 gallons on 177 miles. Now there was also something in the instructions about re-setting the puter after installation, but I never did that. Kinda makes me wonder what will happen if I did.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: latrobe pa
I tried two of these in two different vehicles,99 bavada,04 f350,3 tanks in each vehicle,couldnt get any mpg increase in either! tried different places in air intake. bummer ,they didnt work! some people have good luck with these, i wish they had worked for me ! 
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Lead Driver
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From: Wheatland, Mo
I got to thinking, (AHHH RUN AWAY!!), and maybe it has to do something with the puter. Could be newer systems see it as going above the norm so it compensates back for it. Just a thought.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Sunny Florida
The weather change brings in better gas and ones mileage will always go up in the warmer weather and down in the colder weather?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
I always thought the other way around. Cold air has more density making more power with less effort. Isnt that what the cold air intakes and the FIPKs are working towards?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SC
Could be. Back when I played with old VW bugs it was very noticeable. In wintertime they were little terrors and a blast to drive. In the summer just funky little commuter cars. A big difference in ambient temperatures has a much more noticeable effect on air-cooled vehicles. Though I should think some of the same would still apply to our watercooled ones.
As to the Tornado, I've never been fond of anything that would restrict airflow to engine. And I think anything stuck in the air ducting would.
In my old school way of thought, if I restrict the airflow to the engine and it runs better, that means it's running too lean. If I remove restrictions (such as the airbox) and it runs better, then it's running too rich. I'd suspect that the install of a Tornado in an EFI vehicle resulting in better performance is an indication that something in the fuel system isn't working quite correctly. Once it was corrected then the Tornado would likely have as little effect as the many testers have claimed.
As to the Tornado, I've never been fond of anything that would restrict airflow to engine. And I think anything stuck in the air ducting would.
In my old school way of thought, if I restrict the airflow to the engine and it runs better, that means it's running too lean. If I remove restrictions (such as the airbox) and it runs better, then it's running too rich. I'd suspect that the install of a Tornado in an EFI vehicle resulting in better performance is an indication that something in the fuel system isn't working quite correctly. Once it was corrected then the Tornado would likely have as little effect as the many testers have claimed.
Last edited by GypsyR; Apr 19, 2004 at 10:41 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Monterey bay area
Billybob, what RTM was implying was the change in formulation of fuel...
the winter oxygenatenated fuels affect fuel mileage like no one's business...
then in the summer, they add corn squeezin's...allowing for better mileage and
drivability.
Yes, colder air is denser, More O2 per cubic inch than hot air....thus making cold air induction more attractive.
Yes it will make better power and torque.
the winter oxygenatenated fuels affect fuel mileage like no one's business...
then in the summer, they add corn squeezin's...allowing for better mileage and
drivability.
Yes, colder air is denser, More O2 per cubic inch than hot air....thus making cold air induction more attractive.
Yes it will make better power and torque.
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Lead Driver
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From: Wheatland, Mo
AHHH Yes...I forgot about the crap gas they sell in the winter, Hadn't thought about that. Well I will keep tracking the mileage and see if anything changes. Hopefully not. If it does start to cause probs, then I guess I have $40 of scrap tin.
As for it restricting the air flow, I really dont see it restricting as much as changing the pattern of the air flow. I could see it restricting if it funneled the air down but it just has fins that are slightly turned in. If you got down to the micron amounts, I could see it maybe blocking a little, but not enough to make a diff if the engine was running lean.
As for it restricting the air flow, I really dont see it restricting as much as changing the pattern of the air flow. I could see it restricting if it funneled the air down but it just has fins that are slightly turned in. If you got down to the micron amounts, I could see it maybe blocking a little, but not enough to make a diff if the engine was running lean.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Monterey bay area
Andrew, your question is a valid one, I would like for Billybob to track his fuel mileage for two weeks, then remove the units....and track mileage for the following two weeks and get back to us with the results.
My speculation is that the turbulence one needs is the swirl the intake ports create as the valve opens up. Theoretically, the stronger the swirl, the better
the fuel stays atomized for the power stroke (to a point).
keep us posted.
I believe you can send the tornadoes back for a full refund within 90 days.
My speculation is that the turbulence one needs is the swirl the intake ports create as the valve opens up. Theoretically, the stronger the swirl, the better
the fuel stays atomized for the power stroke (to a point).
keep us posted.
I believe you can send the tornadoes back for a full refund within 90 days.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Yep 90 days is right. I will post results after each tank. I go through about 1 1/2 tanks a week. tank one has already been through, next tank should be tomorrow or Thursday.
Original Mileage...............12.95
Tank one w/Tornado........15.8
Tank Two w/Tornado.......(Coming soon)
Original Mileage...............12.95
Tank one w/Tornado........15.8
Tank Two w/Tornado.......(Coming soon)
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,735
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From: Sunny Florida
Well they may be some truth to the tornado. I only say this because they say not to port to much of an intake runner because the sand casting bumps provide small amounts of turbulance as well. I know this really only applies to lower rpms or so I have read. So who knows.