So I see several companies make what they call a " vortex atomization " ring which has some neat looking swirls inside , inserts inside your intake air tube to atomize and turbulate your air/fuel mixture. Do those rings really work or have any positve effect? Thanks 250truckguy.

 

Snake oil, is the usual consensus.

You can do anything you want to the air before the throttle body, but once it goes through the throttle body and the intake, there's no "vortex" left.

The Ford modulars use a feature in the head to swirl the mix as it enters the cylinder. It doesn't need any more help

But, I haven't used one, so...

 

If it was that easy to get more performance or better mileage you can bet all the auto manufactures would be using it.

 

If you really want to part with your money, just send it to me.

 

KOMO TV in Seattle did a study (with the help of AAA) that tested 3 "fuel saving" methods. They tested a fuel line magnet, a Tornado vortex generator and Z-Max oil additive in a fleet of Ford Rangers.

The Tornado and the Z-Max did not produce any short or long term fuel mileage increases. The Tornado actually showed a small decrease in mileage. Oddly enough, the fuel line magnets showed an increase in fuel mileage, but very small (well under 1%) and payback for the device would have taken something like 7 years.

 

And, you have to think about whether or not they TOLD the drivers about the devices.

The "placebo" effect in action

There's a diesel fuel-saver device. Installs in the fuel line before the injection pump (on non-EFI) or in the common-rail (EFI with common rail). Something like $250 or $300 and a $80 installation kit.

What does it do? "Change the direction of fuel flow to allow for better atomization". Now WHAT is changing the fuel flow going to do before it even gets to the injection pump?

Funny thing, a guy wrote on another truck site that he has a fleet of vehicles and every one he's put the thing on gets better mileage by like 5% or so.

But, they DID tell the drivers.

No one else has detected any noticable improvement, and if anything, the thing is a pressure restrictor so that the engine is running leaner.