Vortex Valve that supposedly increases gas mileage?

[LoqT]

I've been browsing the web on details for the 96 Avalon I just bought, and I stumbled on this site . It seems a little too good to be true, and I've searched for reviews but have come up empty handed. The device looks pretty simple and its called the Vortex Valve from Air Synergy Labs. It seems as though installing this valve somehow reduces your emmissions and increases mileage, but I'm somewhat of a skeptic considering there aren't any third party reviews to be found anywhere.

 

[Rookie]

don't waste your money. works about as well as the antenna sticker for your cell phone

 

[Kadarin]

Quoting the site:



<< What Does It Do? The amazing Vortex Valve? changes the air flow into the same shape as the opening (intake valve) it must go through to mix with the fuel. The fuel burns more efficiently creating more horsepower and less fuel emission. >>



However, this thing installs by the throttle body. Apparently the inventors of this device forgot to take into account that the airflow, after it passes through this thing, also needs to go through the intake manifold into the intake ports, to the intake valve. Any "shape" the airflow has will be totally modified in the process. To me it looks like this thing will just impede airflow, and reduce top-end horsepower (probably without any corresponding benefit on low-end torque or gas mileage).

Besides, the website is way too cheezy for this to be valid.

 

[Nefrodite]

nothing can do that your engine controls a set fuel mixture for optimal burn. it keeps track to make sure the ratios of each are optimal .. kind of like chemical reactions in class anyways. no valve is going to change that

 

[Iron Woode]

<<nothing can do that your engine controls a set fuel mixture for optimal burn. it keeps track to make sure the ratios of each are optimal .. kind of like chemical reactions in class anyways. no valve is going to change that>>

This is true, but fuel mixture on EFI cars is controled by the computer. This data is received from the O2 sensors. This determines if the engine is too rich or lean. The computer keeps air/fuel ratio at 14.7. This can be altered in the software of the computer but can cause problems with emmission tests.

If you want to get better fuel economy on an engine with a carb, a cool trick is to hook up an O2 sensor to a volt meter and set your mixture precisely.

 

[StageLeft]

Basically if it sounds too good to be true it is.

<< This 1998 Toyota Avalon got a 37% increase in gas mileage after installing the Vortex Valve?. >>

If this was true don't you think that toyota would pay the $59.95 plus shipping and handling to have one installed on all their avalons?

 

[308nato]

The best way to burn fuel efficiently is to keep the engine tuned properly. Tune it "before" it "needs" it.

 

[yakko]

Of course this thing works. That is why all the little car companies like VW, BMW, Daimler/Chrysler, Mazda, etc have not used it. Their research and development departments are just too small to properly test for this stuff.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

<< Basically if it sounds too good to be true it is.

<< This 1998 Toyota Avalon got a 37% increase in gas mileage after installing the Vortex Valve?. >>

If this was true don't you think that toyota would pay the $59.95 plus shipping and handling to have one installed on all their avalons?

>>



Exactly! Fuel economy is one area carmakers DO care about, because the CAFE standards can make their new cars ruinously expensive if they do not maintain a reasonable average fuel economy across their model line. This the reason Chevy got into the Geo business, and the reason Ford used to import Kias and sell them as Aspires. If they could improve fuel economy by such a drastic amount for a small expenditure, they would do it in a heartbeat.

 

[LoqT]

Darn I was hoping this would be true deep down but I didn't really think so. Gosh I hope gas prices go down again! They were just fine earlier this year!

 

[JC]

sssssnake oyl......

 

[HappyPuppy]

I remember seeing these things for sale in the back pages of car mags back in the 1960's. However, it might be worth your money if you are susceptible to the placebo effect.

 

[kgraeme]

<< nothing can do that your engine controls a set fuel mixture for optimal burn. it keeps track to make sure the ratios of each are optimal .. kind of like chemical reactions in class anyways. no valve is going to change that >>



More smiles please.

 

[FoBoT]

its a trick
if you buy that thing, look out for black helicopters and be careful if you get some crop circles in your yard, the aliens may be preparing to kidnap you for the Anal Probe

 

[Cyberian]

<< I remember seeing these things for sale in the back pages of car mags back in the 1960's. However, it might be worth your money if you are susceptible to the placebo effect. >>

Heheh!
Also those "fuel atomizers" that mounted under the carb that JC Whitney used to sell in their catalog, along with baby moon hubcaps and fuzzy dice.

 

[Freejack2]

Are you kidding me?!?! These things work great! I detached my catalytic converter and put this on instead. Lots more power and great gas mileage!
You should buy one today along with some slick 50, and snake oil!