just a note on the Tornado Air thing. Coming from a fluid dynamics point of
view, the Tornado Air seems to do two things that are detrimental:
1) introduces flow resistance to intake air (we all know this is bad)
2) introduces fluid rotation ... aka turbulence ... BAD! bad bad
turbulence.
Both of these effects are bad for fluid flow and just ... BAD. The only
positive thing I can think of that device doing is aligning the flow
streamlines. This would be a good thing as it would cut down on random
turbulence. If you see any improvements, I suspect this is the cause of it
... but it is completely by accident and not the premise on which the
Tornado Air System was designed and is sold. ... although it makes me think
of fabricating a flow straightener for my intake ... hmm ....the hamster
just started running in my head.
Has anyone actually tested one of these on a dyno (Bernd?)? I don't really
believe the No.'s they post on their website. I've almost completed my
custom design intake (which may now have an addition of flow straighteners)
... I'll let you all know how the results turn out...
-- Canuck -------------------------------------------- Y2K 4.7L 2wd 5spd<raymond.irons@gm.com> wrote in message news:OFF179E37A.AD588DF2-ON85256BD1.005DBB42@mail.gm.com... > > I bought my Dakota used from a Ford Dealer over 2 years ago and I love it. > I put about 25K a year on the truck and it runs great. I have done some > things to give it a little better mileage and power. I researched and > purchased a Tornado Air Management device, which I installed last year just > before Christmas. The improvement was immediate and, in my opinion > significant (no, I'm not a dealer, just a satisfied customer) My daily > commute is over 90 miles round trip and running at 62 MPH for the most > part, I was getting right at about 19 MPG before the Tornado went in. The > day after I installed it, I left on a trip from my home in Delaware to > North Carolina and I got nearly 25 MPG running at 62 MPH. Right now, I run > between 65 and 70 MPH for the most part (thank you Whistler) and I'm > getting over 22 MPG. I have also installed a K&N permanent air filter (the > one that fits in the existing air box) and it not noticeably improved > mileage or horsepower but will pay for itself in not having to toss one out > and replace it every oil change. I do change my oil about every 5,000 miles > so this chore gets done about every other month. I occasionally tow a boat > (about 1,800 pounds loaded) and the Dak handles it with no complaints. I > have had a few problems but nothing too bad. The cat converter had > something break loose inside, the cover on the center console flip down had > a rip in it, one of the appliques on the front fender came loose, and the > air conditioner quit working. My local Dodge dealer fixed everything under > warranty even though it wasn't purchased from them and the coverage for the > repair of the A/C was questionable. I recently had a problem with my > electrical system. The truck started cranking slow (like the battery was > low) but after running for a bit, would crank normally. The next weekend, I > started the truck (same slow crank) and after it started, the engine just > died. I had to keep the engine rpm up to keep it running. I checked the > charging system and it was working fine. I load tested the (original) > battery and it was showing shot. Not too bad for 4 years and over 72,000 > miles. Replaced the battery, I went with a Deka, and no more trouble. > Unfortunately, I have to park my Dak outside and I'm starting to see some > severe oxidation of the paint on the hood. I have tried waxes and polishes > to no avail. Short of getting the entire truck repainted (flame red), I > don't know what else to try. Any suggestions on how to help this situation > would be appreciated. I have over 76K miles on the truck now and I do take > good care of it so it should last me for quite a while yet. When it does > give up the ghost, I'm considering a swap to a V8, either a 318 or 340 > small block. Now for the big question. I am considering hanging on some > headers and a cat back exhaust. I want to find a set up that will allow me > to bring the exhaust out the sides of the truck not directly out the back > (remember I tow my boat) and so far no luck. I might have to go to a custom > shop and have the pipes custom bent. Trouble is, I'm not sure if the V6 > will sound like a sewing machine on steroids or if it will have a nice > throaty rumble. Before I spend that much money, I would like to know if > anybody else has installed headers and or a cat back exhaust on the V6 and > how does it sound? Please let me know. I also tried to check out the mIRC > chat room (#DakotaTruck) but either I wasn't joing the correct channel or > the channel isn't registered. Anybody else chat online in that channel? I > figured it might be a quick way to get some answers to some of my > questions. Thanks, Ray >
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