Technical Eco-Tek Valve & Powerboost Valve - Are they worth it?

[MagnaMorbius]

Was in Motorworld the other day, and was chatting to the guy behind the counter. He said, in a burst of stunning insight (seriously, his actual words), that adding a good quality K&N Oil Filter, a Powerboost Valve (along with an induction kit) and an Eco-Tek Valve are cheap, effective mods. Discuss, please.

 

[Oldschool]

Cheap yes, but effective?

What is so much better on a K&N oil filter than any other approved oil filter?

Eco-tec valve All evidence delivered by Eco-tec and others so far is not conclusive.

Power boost valve forces ECU to do things it doesn't want to. Can this be any good?

I would rather go for the old school stuff: Induction, exhaust, mapping, throttel body etc.

 

[MagnaMorbius]

What about all the information that Max Power, Fast Car, Redline et al produce, and say, yes, this is valid - doesn't that count for anything? Or, if I can get one for a song, is there anything bad that will happen by putting it on?

 

[beau]

What about all the information that Max Power, Fast Car, Redline et al produce, and say, yes, this is valid - doesn't that count for anything? Or, if I can get one for a song, is there anything bad that will happen by putting it on?

if they say its good i dont think we need to say no more.

 

[dave]

dont max power also make thier own brand of the +20 bhp resistor?
also there are some adds in them mags that are made to look like a review

 

[MagnaMorbius]

Well, Dave, if somebody gave you one of them, would you put it on your car (if nothing else, just to see if it works)? Also, reading about how it works, it doesn't dick about with your engine settings like those really ropey resistors do, it doesn't just pump in an additional gallon-per-minute of petrol like the powerboost valve does, so, in theory, it's just allowing the engine to breathe more easily...

Should I put one on, and then have a bit of a rag about, and see how it works and, after that, report back and let everyone know?

 

[dave]

no i would take the word of experienced tuners that it crap, and put it on ebay

 

[arc]

What about all the information that Max Power, Fast Car, Redline et al produce, and say, yes, this is valid - doesn't that count for anything? Or, if I can get one for a song, is there anything bad that will happen by putting it on?

doesn't count for much, no.

I looked at the ecotek valves. Checked the ecotek forums, installation advice and they said install it on the brake servo assit line on the cinq. The must stupid place, all it was going to do there was lean out the mixture to one of the 4 cylinders. Looked further into it, and an ecotek bod said that the ecotek had been tested by clubcento and approved - i asked Pete, and that was the first he'd heard about it! Add that on top of the fact the thing can't work on a modern engine, and you get a big fat neerrrpp!

FSE powerboost valve, is that not a variable fuel pressure regulator? Not too clued up there.

Induction kit, yes good - get one. K&N filter, dunno - check it compared to the zillion other filters out there.

 

[MagnaMorbius]

Hmph. Experienced tuners. What would they know? (I jest).

So, you think I should just bin it off as a bad job, and get out AlfaNige (I saw Celtic Tuning on here, but Nige was here first, and he's never once laughed at my really dumb questions, so I think he gets the job) and his boys to tune up Binky?

 

[arc]

Well, Dave, if somebody gave you one of them, would you put it on your car (if nothing else, just to see if it works)? Also, reading about how it works, it doesn't dick about with your engine settings like those really ropey resistors do, it doesn't just pump in an additional gallon-per-minute of petrol like the powerboost valve does, so, in theory, it's just allowing the engine to breathe more easily...

do you mean an induction kit here, or the ecotek valve?

 

[MagnaMorbius]

My Dad got an Ecotek to stick on his LPG gas-powered Hyundai Lantra, and changed his mind, and offered it to me. From the sounds of it, I'll stick it on eBay for him, and get a BMC whacked on there - I was just hoping I could put on both, and get a bit more out of my engine.

 

[arc]

that would be the best option

 

[MagnaMorbius]

Putting on eBay, or putting both on the car?

 

[dave]

Putting on eBay, or putting both on the car?

putting on ebay of corse

 

[HP]

Buy a panel filter for £30, often better than the 57i jobbies.
Fit a sports back box to the exhaust for a similar gain.

Power boost valve is a fast acting fuel pressure regulator - it might give quicker throttle response but no more power.

Ecotec - adds air to the intake. If fitted wrong, makes one cylinder run lean, if fitted right makes all 4 run leaner than Fiat want - you think that's a good thing?

Ecotec valves by design CAN NOT increase the power delivered by the car at full throttle.

Ecotec withdrew the 'reccommended by Clubcento' statement as it's untrue.

 

[Oldschool]

What about all the information that Max Power, Fast Car, Redline et al produce, and say, yes, this is valid - doesn't that count for anything? Or, if I can get one for a song, is there anything bad that will happen by putting it on?

These magazines write what you want them to write when you do advertising with them.

Years ago I have been approached by Eco-tec. They send me documentation, which was quite extensive but none of it was conclusive. Specific questions were asked but remain unanswered.

Technically the unit does not make sense as a separate item as this could be achieved easier, but is not desired because of the leaning problem as stated before.

 

[MagnaMorbius]

Sorted out what I'm going to do - I sold that Ecotek valve to a mate of mine, who's going to whack it on his Fiesta - if he likes it, great, I might get one. If not, well, it hasn't cost me anything.