The Unending Turbonator / Tornado / Spiralmax / etc Debate

so throughout this whole thread, I have to agree with slanter on everything he has said. A few of you have asked about putting more than 1 turbonator in to see if that works better. So for the sake of science, I went out a blew $100 on 3 turbonators. I stuffed them into a 92 civic, and guess what... it worked 3 times as well as having 1. But since the first 1 doesn't work at all, that doesn't make much of an increase. About 0. Actually, the 1st did not have any affect, but with 3, there was just too much blocking the intake and I actually got less air flow. Like it has been said so many times, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you could really increase your horsepower by 10% for $50 or less, don't you think this would be one of the most popular devices out there. That being said, I have a 92 civic. So far I have put a new intake on it and smaller rims. Does anyone else have any suggestions for a somewhat inexpensive yet efficient boost in power. I'm not looking for a race car, i'd just like more than 107 hp.

I just bought a 2008 Elantra SE. Nice car, but too slow for me since I am coming off of a 3.5L V6 232 Hp SUV. I would like to kick it up a notch with HP, Torque and MPG. If I install 2 Turbonators, a Performance Chip and a K&N intake would I help the situation, make it worse or Blow up the Car? I am reading a lot of mixed reviews on these additions (Turbonator, Performence Chip and K&N filter). Should I just head over to a performance shop and tell them to to kick her up a notch (With about $500.00 to $1,000.00 to spend)?

I just put my turbonator in my 07 camry se last week and my excelleration response is ten times better than before with just my K&N typhoon.
It has also improved my gas mileage about 30 miles a tank. Not sure about hp I haven't been to a dyno equipped shop! I sure am curious about the increase in hp though.

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Originally Posted by cogito

I have seen adds on TV about products such as the "turbonator" (http://www.turbonator.com/) and other similar products, does anyone know if they really work (even half as much as they are advertised), or is a complete waste of money?

Regards,
Cogito

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i would not get it. it basically looks like an air filter. i would shy away from anything that makes claims like "anyone can do it!" "five minutes and a screwdriver is all it takes!" if youre not a mechanic, do not believe any ad that tells you that. 1) it voids your warranty. 2) you could seriously damage your engine.

if you still really want it, go to your mechanic. "too good to be true" usually is. if you want to add a 35$ part, remember, you are risking your enitre car! ::!!ca-ching!!::
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Latest Acura RSX Car Bra

Never Tried the Turbonator, But I tried an Electric supercharger, and well. like most people say. it does block air flow. for the first 2000 rpms its fine, but when idling at around 999, thats only 1001 rpms to work for and the rest of the rpms, are well, screwed, dont waste money on it. it sucks donkey @$$ Dont skimp on parts. or you'll skimp on power.

I've been using the "tornado" for four years now. I'm averaging 31mpg at 70mph in a 99' Ford Contour. For those of you not familiar with the Contour, from the factory it only gets 22 to 24 mpg at 55mph. If I drive like I have some sense it gets more like 35mpg. This puts the car at roughly a 33% increase in fuel efficiency.

THAT SAID this is not ALL from the tornado. I put on ground effects and dual exhaust that increased the mpg 5-7mpg by reducing drag and breathing a little better with the tornado contributing another 3 or so. Due to rising fuel costs I'm looking to reduce drag further by removing anything causing drag such as the rear fin on the trunk. I also looking into ways to drop about 500+ pounds off the weight of the vehicle. (carbon fiber hood and trunk, lighter rims and high mileage tires, go back to the doughnut instead of the full size spare, get rid of the sound dampening (maybe), get rid of the carpet and trim in the trunk, etc)

Acetone DOES work and bumps the mileage up 1-2 mpg more but I found it to be too much of a pain to use it.

I put in a K&N air filter in conjunction with the tornado and as a result actually lost about 1-2 mpg from an average of 32-33mpg at 70mph. But I gained a noticeable increase in hp with it. So I kept it for now. I'm fairly certain I could get this car to or over 40mpg using off the shelf products if I try and I probably will soon.

I also switched to synthetic fluids when I put the ground effects and dual exhaust on. So the fluids, exhaust and lower drag all added up to 5-7mpg.

You can call me a liar on any of this all day but I have the gas receipts to prove it. I watch my gas like a hawk. I have to, I drive 76 miles one way to work. I drove 92 miles one way for 3 of those 4 years.

Another thing I would do if I could find a cheap camera kit is I would remove the side mirrors (drag) and use cameras instead. If done right by covering the holes it wouldn't even be noticeable. Too bad no one makes windshield wiper covers to eliminate the drag when not in use.

Oh.. Gustavo Romero. This scientific testing should really be done in the benefit and doubts of the opposing sides. Naphthalene? It perfectly suits closets :D
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My Auto-in-Demand Blog

Yea. He's right. This is a never ending debate. Each other would defend their preference. Everyone should be reminded that there's no correct answer in this.
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My fresh installs: Overdrive & Autopartswarehouse.com

I've used a tornado to good effect i.e.1.) 95 Cabriolet with Paxton supercharger with flat spot off idle that resolved nicely with Tornado install. 2.) 98 Buell S1 with markedly smoother low RPM response. I've assumed that performance improvements were the result of better fuel atomization and cleaner burn as opposed to increased air intake velocity/volume.

How does it with gas fuel?:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by buellguy

I've used a tornado to good effect i.e.1.) 95 Cabriolet with Paxton supercharger with flat spot off idle that resolved nicely with Tornado install. 2.) 98 Buell S1 with markedly smoother low RPM response. I've assumed that performance improvements were the result of better fuel atomization and cleaner burn as opposed to increased air intake velocity/volume.

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:thumbsup: I agree with you. Are there any other performance parameters to check?