Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 11:31:26 EDT
Reply-To: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Subject: Spiralmax (et al)
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I really hated to get involved with this one as I have a liking for the folks
who installed the "spiralmax" and so didn't want to give my opinion of it. I
thought this thread would go away, but since it hasn't then I'll render my
opinion and this is in no way a flame.
Any restriction in the intake of an engine DECREASES horsepower. That is why
people go with the K & N filters to try and get a little more flow of air
into the motor. The spiralmax/Cyclone/Tornado (there are several names this
is sold under) is a restriction in the intake and therefore CANNOT increase
hp.
The swirl effect which is supposed to help mix fuel and air might be somewhat
helpful on a carburated engine where the fuel/air mixing goes on directly
below the spiralmax, but on our vans with the air distribution box splitting
the air up into four different pipes and then the run down to the injectors
where the fuel/air is mixed right before the valves (most efficient) there is
really no way that the air is still swirling enough to make much difference
on the the fuel/air mixture.
Any positive results found while using this device I would chalk up to either
coincidence (maybe you had a tune-up done or replaced your oxygen sensor at
the same time you installed spiralmax and therefore are really experiencing
better economy, hp, etc. but it was the tune-up and not this device that
caused it), or maybe simply the power of suggestion: before you didn't
really pay attention to how quickly you moved forward in the van, but now
that you are paying attention you seem to notice a little faster
acceleration. Maybe you were only guestimating fuel milage before and now
you are keeping more accurate records and it seems that your mileage has gone
up when it is just been record keeping.
I put spiralmax/cyclone/tornado in the same catagory with split fire spark
plugs, magnets on your fuel lines (haven't you heard of this one?), Slick 50,
and motor honey. All of these products are supposed to be drop in/quick
install and give you horsepower and performance boosts. If you are lucky
they don't damage your engine and give you the same performance you had
before. Some of these (Slick 50 and motor honey) can actually damage your
engine and shorten it's life.
So what to do to make your van better. Keep the oil changed, keep the
coolant system clean, keep your motor tuned-up, etc. Maybe add a nicer
flowing exhaust or airfilter setup (proven to help). Or maybe even add some
of these rockers, etc (still waiting to see Robert's dyno results). Nothing
is free or cheap when it comes to doing it right.
My 2 cents,
Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16
Phone: (856)-765-1583
Shop: (856)-327-0027
Fax: (856)-327-2242
