Hiclones etc Don't Work...

[csv8]

VORTEX GENERATORS
These devices, which are usually installed on the upstream side of the mass airflow (MAF) sensor, use stationary vanes or, on some devices, spinning blades to make the inlet air between the air cleaner and intake manifold whirl around in a mini-tornado. This vortex supposedly mixes fuel more thoroughly with air, which means the fuel will, theoretically, burn more completely in the combustion chamber. Trouble is, there's a lot of intake tract downstream from these devices designed to maximize a smooth airflow. Turbulence, coupled with the restricted airflow caused by the device, can only reduce the amount of air sucked into the manifold. Less air means less power.

Again, we tested two devices. The TornadoFuelSaver is a nicely made stainless steel contraption, available in an assortment of sizes to fit most vehicles. We installed it on our truck's intake tract immediately upstream of the MAF sensor. We purchased the second device, the Intake Twister, on eBay. It was crudely handmade from sheet-aluminum flashing and pop rivets. It looked like something we could make in about 10 minutes from an old soda can. The staff at UTI was reluctant to install it: The bent sheetmetal vanes looked as if they might break off and be digested by the engine. The device is one-size-fits-all, and is simply bent into a curl to insert it into the intake duct.

THE DYNO SAYS: Both devices reduced peak horsepower by more than 10 percent. The Intake Twister increased fuel consumption by about 20 percent; the TornadoFuelSaver provided no significant change

www.popularmechanics.com/gasgimmicks

[Smoked]

Been Common knowledge for a while here that they do nothing at all. Not all to suprised to see it indeed reduced power.

[jonk]

I put Hiclone's on my diesel ute 6 years ago. They made a noticeably positive difference. Mercedes used a subtle but similar principle also in their own air intake piping design for a line of Mercs who's model designation I forget.

Hiclones are very finnicky as to how they are set up, they aren't just a slap in and forget routine; you actually do have to work for the optimum benefits they provide via experimentation.

You can all slag off like you all do, and have done so for years each time a hiclone thread gets posted, so many of you on this forum have canned them without ever having even held one Hiclone in your hand. Says alot really.

[5L]

i dont see how they can work, they block airflow by creating a resistance in the path the air travels.

[seano14]

the air going into the engine is always gonna be at the same atmospheric pressure.. whether it's doing some twirl or not

unless you're on boost...

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by jonk

Says alot really.

A bit rough.

One might say that the ONLY person to "stand up" on behalf of the Hiclone is someone who slapped down X dollars for one. Despite dyno graphs - installed as per recommendations - consistently showing reduced power/increased consumption.

Says a lot really.

The only reasonable explanation that comes to mind is perhaps some cars have intake tracts which work with Hiclone... others have intakes that work against it. And even that's conceding a fair buit IMO.

[BlueXr8]

they are shi t FULL STOP

[EA2BA]

Was also put in a diesel ute, maybe there is a benefit for diesel vehichles, however Jonk, did you dyno the ute before and after, or was the bum-o-meter the reason for your claim of positive difference.