The tornado
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
I have seen these thing advertised on Tv. And the question I have is; if the Auto makers spend millions in research to get higher fuel mileage, and hundreds of millions on emission controls. Why haven’t they used this 3 cents worth of tin and save a bunch of money?.
I don’t believe it for a moment.
Dave
I don’t believe it for a moment.
Dave
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Absolute junk. The only way you get a mileage increase is by modifying lead foot habits. If it takes having a Tornado to remind you of that maybe it has some redeeming factors, but it won't change your mileage alone.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,873
Likes: 0
From: St. Peter
I dunno about that. I bought one of these pieces of tin a while back, and put it in my truck with the stock intake on. Well, shortly after, the truck started to overheat, and run without power. So i took the tornado out, thinking it was the culprit. The truck still got overheated, and had no power. A little later i figured out it was a sticking brake caliper. Put new calipers on, problem solved. I then got an aftermarket intake for my truck. I never put the tornado back in until i just read this thread like 5 min ago. I can seriously feel more power. I'm not trying to promote this overpriced piece of scrap metal. But with gas prices so high, and my last fill up was 12.09 mpg, i figured what the heck, and put it in, and now i can actually break a tire loose on pavement. Somthing i could never do before. I am starting to wonder about this thing though. I cant wait to see if my mileage improves. I'll still drive like i always do. I'll post it when i get my mileage
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
One thing the tornado does not do is allow for more air to get into the engine. That much is clear. And it installs after the MAF, so therefore all the air that is ever going to get into the engine for any given moment has already been measured - and a corresponding signal sent to the PCM - by the time the air even gets to the tornado.
From there, the tornado just takes that air and throws it around inside the intake tube in a manner that is inconsistent with the rest of the air intake system and what it was designed to handle.
Also, the MAF is designed and calibrated with entire air intake system in mind. The PCM utilizes the MAF signal taking into account the speed, direction and volume of air that passes through the rest of air intake system AFTER it has already passed through the MAF. The tornado changes this equation around without the rest of the engine management system knowing it. That's counter-productive.
From there, the tornado just takes that air and throws it around inside the intake tube in a manner that is inconsistent with the rest of the air intake system and what it was designed to handle.
Also, the MAF is designed and calibrated with entire air intake system in mind. The PCM utilizes the MAF signal taking into account the speed, direction and volume of air that passes through the rest of air intake system AFTER it has already passed through the MAF. The tornado changes this equation around without the rest of the engine management system knowing it. That's counter-productive.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: Alvin, Texas.
What always makes me laugh when I see the commercial for the 'nado (saw it on channel 43 while on the boat this week--that signal must have come from LA over the Gulf, for pete's sake) and that old lady says her Geo Metro has power....oh yeah, that spinning water stuff isn't exactly related to air/fuel mix, either....air compresses (liquids mostly don't) and won't be in anyway as neat when mixing in a combustion chamber without good cyl head design. Stupid demo.
Anyone getting better mpg's probably needed a really good tune-up as it is. With the spinner inhibiting air flow and sensors working right, that would lean out the mix a bit....helpful if the engine is running rich already.
Gov't tested all those devices, like magnets (LOL) and 'nados....none worked on a consistent basis, if at all. Forgot the addy for the results, but Google search it if it matters to you.
Anyone getting better mpg's probably needed a really good tune-up as it is. With the spinner inhibiting air flow and sensors working right, that would lean out the mix a bit....helpful if the engine is running rich already.
Gov't tested all those devices, like magnets (LOL) and 'nados....none worked on a consistent basis, if at all. Forgot the addy for the results, but Google search it if it matters to you.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
ok folks
All I asked if yall had checked it out. If it improves mileage or power and doesn't screw up the recently rebuild and "tuned up" then what's the harm? Has anyone had one screw up the vehicle? That's what I really wanted to know. The boy drives 45 miles one way thru Dallas traffic to work so lead foot is not the issue as its usually stop and go around here.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Rosebud
I drained my radiator and filled it with holy water,then had a preist bless the whole thing,now i'm getting 90-95MPG! Think about it,any "swirl" effect will be straitened out by the butterfly in the throttle body,and by the valves.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: dallas
you're more than welcome to swing by the house any time to see for yourself. all i know is it worked for my truck. it may not for yours. but thats not my problem, now is it? all i know is that with that sucker on im gettin 300+ miles on 15 gallons. yes i know its a 16 gallon tank. but i only put 15 in so the math would be a little easier for me. any questions? and another thing. none of the vaccume hoses to my air box have been hooked up in like a year. that may make a difference. i dont know.
Last edited by psycocrazy; May 1, 2004 at 01:20 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 1
From: Shreveport, La.
Guiding the air, helpful or not?
No, don't have personal exp. with Tornado.
But, think about this, many of the add on 'air flow' management system hardware kits refer to part of the success of their products is the way they "swirl" the incoming air.
Some of the spacers being sold have circular ridges that "rotate" the incoming air.
Don't know if Tornado works or not, would have helped their image if they'd promoted the product with a known American personality and not a no-stick fry pan salesman.
Check out the following link on a 'myth' buster type book you may be interested in.
www.gas-mileage-secrets.com
No I don't get a commission, this is from someone that's put many of the efforts to save fuel to real driving condition tests.
But, think about this, many of the add on 'air flow' management system hardware kits refer to part of the success of their products is the way they "swirl" the incoming air.
Some of the spacers being sold have circular ridges that "rotate" the incoming air.
Don't know if Tornado works or not, would have helped their image if they'd promoted the product with a known American personality and not a no-stick fry pan salesman.
Check out the following link on a 'myth' buster type book you may be interested in.
www.gas-mileage-secrets.com
No I don't get a commission, this is from someone that's put many of the efforts to save fuel to real driving condition tests.