Hi Dave
I've seen a number of reviews and comments about the Eco tech CB-26P. It fits onto the brake vacuum hose and is supposed to improve fuel comsumption and throttle response by diffusing the fuel mixture in the inlet manifold a little more. Any comments or pro's and con's would be appreciated. They promise some remarkable fuel savings and if they were only half right this gizmo would be worth buying!!:)

I would treat this 'gizmo' with caution and a large pinch of salt!

I know there are owners out there who swear by them, but I cannot see the benefit. If they were that good, surely the manufacturers would fit them??

I think one of the magazines did a group test on these little 'devices'

I think the outcome was inconclusive, IIRC

Having seen these products on the market for a while, I decided to sacrifice £25 and give one a go. This one wraps around the fuel line and is supposed to re-align the molecules in the fuel leading the better fuel consumption/response etc, etc...
Guess what? It is about as much use as a pair of corned beef slippers. Problem is, although they give a 30 day money back guarantee, it took longer than 30days to go through 2 tankfuls of fuel to test the economy claims, so I am stuck with it! Still, my curiosity was satisfied.

I have to say that I am very very sceptical about these products.

The Ecotech product, as far as I can see, is essentially a small K&N filter spliced into the air intake. Essentially it is allowing more air into the engine - so if the aforementioned engine has a very restrictive air intake system, this kit will probably provide some benefits - but not by the laughable mechanism that those who market this kit suggest.

Far better would be to fit a 'proper' performance filter system which will give the same benefits, only it'll be far more effective!

This product is very different to a performance air filter, The filter part is only there to dampen the noise the device can make (made by pipercross). I also wouldn't think a company such a pipercross would get involed with building a product for a device that doesn't work and no one will buy.
Anther good bit is that it look very cool, especially if you already have a piper cross air filter and crank dreather filter (you can get all three in the same colour).:D :D :D

From what people say at www.rover200.com the best thing to do is set it up on a rolling road. This is if your talking about an FSE type thing.

[Edited by JayCee on 09-04-2002 at 05:27 PM GMT]

Jay - this isn't the same sort of thing as an FSE Power Boost Valve.

Everyone else - I'm glad my sentiments are being echoed here :)

Well curiosity got the better of me and there is one winging its way from potn.co.uk. £40 odd quid
I'll try and do a more scientific analysis rather than 'adds twenty more horsepower easy'.

We'll wait with baited breath!

Send in some pics, wont ya?

zrmaster wrote:
This product is very different to a performance air filter, The filter part is only there to dampen the noise the device can make (made by pipercross). I also wouldn't think a company such a pipercross would get involed with building a product for a device that doesn't work and no one will buy.
Anther good bit is that it look very cool, especially if you already have a piper cross air filter and crank dreather filter (you can get all three in the same colour).:D :D :D

Hmm, I guess we'll wait to hear about jdrysdale's opinion is when he fits it, but I'm maintaining a healthy level of scepticism ;)

Mind you, I don't doubt that it looks good. :)

However, the fact you can buy a Pipercross filter for it doesn't necessarily imply Pipercross's approval - these'll be proprietry filters sold to anyone wanting to buy one. Plus, as this is an 'air' product, insofar as it increases airflow to the inlet manifold, making it more 'turbulent' - I'd contend that a very similar job can be achieved with a proper performance induction kit (depending upon the type of manifold/plenum used).

Keep us posted jdrysdale!
:)

I've got one of these ecoktec's on my 214GSI, my personal view is, that is noisy but works. Ive been getting about another 10-15 miles out of mine £15 per week of fuel. The theory is that it allows extra air to be drawn into the mainfold as you lift off leaning the mixture. Can be quite though but if you cars already got K&N filter shraight through CAT and Centre boxes and removed and a twin back box, like mine who cares. It can only realy be heard with the window down.
Cheers

Alright roverdaz,
Have you got the little filter that clips on top of it, if not get a filter that snaps on top of the device, and this will totally dampen the noise!

zrmaster sounds like youve got one then dont get me wrong im not complaining makes the ingine sound amasing with all the other mods done. But no ive actualy got a K&N crankcase filter with crome top to match the K&N filter.
Cheers though
Darren

I received the gizmo yesterday and fitted it.
It was a little akward to fit as the brake pipe and the male ends of the device were a differant size. ZRmaster and Rover daz, I'm fairly sure I don't have it tuned right as there is no noise when driving or at idle do you have any tuning advice other than whats in the instructions? I'll have another go at setting it up over the weekend.
I never bothered with the piper filter assy as it was an extra twenty quid and I wasn't sure that the thing would be of any benefit at all. I'll let you know of any first impressions when I have it set up right.

[Edited by jdrysdale on 12-04-2002 at 08:11 AM GMT]

Okay mate first thing is to make sure that the black body is fully screwed into the brass bit, cant rember size of spanner.
Unsrew the brass adjuster at the top of the unit until you here a raspy noise, or all the way if you want, it doesnt mater. Screw the top back down until the noise has stopped. Check that the unit is working by reving the engine you will hear a raspy noise on raising the rpms. The unit will produce a louder noise on dropping the rpms and may squeak slightly for the first few miles, beds in quickly. The unit should then become almost silent. Whilist driving steady rpms shes almost silent only realy noticable on deacceleration.
Hope this is helpful
Cheers
Darren

Sounds as though I'd better get one of these Ecotec Valves and give it test run....=P

I'd be interested in your results, Dave.

Are you going to dyno it before and after?

Also, (if your results are positive), do you think there would be any implications of fitting this onto an 'F? (Given that the brake servo in under the bonnet and the engine is behind you ...)

- Andy

I'd be interested in your results, Dave.

Aye! I'll keep you all posted

Are you going to dyno it before and after?

I don't see it as a performance enhancing device - more like an economy device...but, time permitting, I'll try to

Also, (if your results are positive), do you think there would be any implications of fitting this onto an 'F? (Given that the brake servo in under the bonnet and the engine is behind you ...)

I shouldn't see why not, Andrew, aslong as the engine is in good condition, it should 'pull' enough vacuum to keep the brake servo live

I think you right Dave havent noticed any power increases just less visits the the pumps which is nice with the price of fuel at present.
The device should fit all cars without affecting brake performace.
There web address www.ecotekplc.com it has a Q and A page.

Thanks roverdaz, I set it up as you described and it would appear to be working fine. There is no noticeable difference in power or changes in characteristics. I've started recording KM per litres and will build up an average over the next few weeks with the unit on, I'll then do the same with the unit deactivated for a few weeks. This should be able to give a reasonably accurate idea as to whether the thing is effective or not.

[Edited by jdrysdale on 16-04-2002 at 07:58 AM GMT]

Any time mate never realy recorded milage myself could interesting results.:)

Hi guys , I've been away awhile and I'm just catching up.
I fitted twin ecotechs to my 6 litre V12 a couple of months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the results.
Fuel... economy ( if that is the right word ) has improved by 4-5mpg which I believe is due to the vaccuum in the inlet manifold being released on deceleration.
The performance is only marginally improved
but it has improved the pullaway which was,before, quite sluggish.
My day to day transport is a 1.8is Rover with Steptronic so I am unable to evaluate the Ecotechs' benefit on a K series engine.
Regards