Thinking about fitting an Ecotek, Has anyone tried it?

[GingsBravo]

Hi guys,
I think I remember someone fitting an ecotek to a 1.4 bravo on this forum a while ago.... I was just wondering how it worked out, was it worth it, was it hard to fit, any improvement in mpg acceleration or was it all just hype! My horse came in at the weekend so I'm thinking of investing a little on my gas guzzeling bravo... is it worth it?

 

[SUBIJA]

HI,
AS FOR MY CAR, IT WORTH IT!

I THINK U BETTER NOT TO FIX IT FIRST. TRY TO RUN YOUR CAR WITH ORIGINAL SPEC & GET THE AVERAGE MILEAGE. THEN I SUGGEST U TO FIX THE VALVE LATER & SEE THE RESULT.

CHEERS

 

[chris]

Re: Re: Thinking about fitting an Ecotek, Has anyone tried it?

could someone tell me, If fitting and ecotek valve should boost fuel economy how will this effect the performance of the car

 

[Dave]

It was me!!!

I have a 1.4sx and i fitted one on mine. It was probably me who wrote the msg awhile ago about it.
Apart from increasing fuel economy, as my car is no longer pulling out 220 to a tank it is now on around 300 - 350 on average, it does make the throttle response alot better. Its not a dramatic change, but you will notice that when you first get put it on and drive around, the car will seem abit more responsive. After that you just get used to it as normal driving.

To be more of a shock, I was chasing my mate in his Punto Sporting (1.2 16v) down a back road, and i was taking the car to the red line (and so was he, although he had one other person in his car), and he could not shake me off. I was sitting up his arse the whole way. I was quite impressed, for a car that moves like a snail normally!

My advice...............get one!!!

 

[Nick]

Re: It was me!!!

Do you work for Ecotek?

Something else has happened to improve your economy from 220 to 350. No bolt on device can do that.

 

[Dave]

Im as surprised as you are!!!

Honestly, its true. I dont work for Ecotek. But my mate was told me he was practically red lining it aswell. Maybe his car wasnt firing on all cylinders, but i was well impressed with it. Although i will tell you one other thing that improves the car even more than the ecotek, is by putting some Redex in the petrol. That does make the car seem like its flying. Also, throttle response is so much smoother cos the petrol injector gets cleaned out.

 

[Dave]

i kid you not.........

that the ecotek has improved my mpg. At the moment, i have used half a tank of petrol, and i have done one long run of around 100 miles, and so far i have done 230 miles from half a tank. That is mostly urban driving. Maybe it is just a lucky tank of petrol, but its not the first time i have managedto get 200 miles out of half a tank.

 

[SUBIJA]

Re: i kid you not.........

http://www.ecotekplc.co.uk/technical.htm

 

[Nick]

Re: Re: i kid you not.........

Look, I don't want to rubbish a device without having tried it, but the technical arguement that is being put forward at that Ecotek link is hardly convincing. I would love to install a device that would magically improve my engine but the mechanism as explained there doesn't cut the mustard.

As it says, in the old days people used to gas flow their heads to improve matters. Why? Because it worked! The whole point was to get rid of swirl or turbulence as this causes fluid dynamic problems and can cause fuel to come out of atomisation. Swirl inside the combustion chamber is a different matter and is probably a good thing.(I don't know, but I think the inside of a combustion chamber is likely to be a pretty turbulent place)

Also this valve is unlikely to work on turbo engines as the inlet manifold will be at a positive pressure and so no air will be pulled in at all.

I'm not saying that this device doesn't work: What I'm saying is that the physics is not satisfactorily explained. If you look on the newsgroups you can find as much anecdotal evidence for the thing not working as working so I wouldn't put too much store on all the positive reviews listed on the web page as there are likely to be as many negative ones not listed.

If anyone can come up with an explanation of how it works, not using the words Formula 1 technology, then I would genuinely be interested in hearing it. Anyone?

 

[crazydavis]

WHY

to do this do you really know what it entails because im thinking you really do not.For one the ecotec engine is probably the worst thing to come from vauxhall since the viva,it has been proven on many many occasions to sufer from sticking valves but even if you consider this not to be a problem you would need a good ecotec engine plus the full wiring loom to go with it the original ECU to go with it as the immobiliser is built in.The only way forward for all you guys planning engine coversions in bravos is 2l 20v turbo

 

[crazydavis]

my mistake

sorry guys why didnt you say ecotec link i assumed you meant the vauxhall ecotec engine.for more info ask rob d as i know he has got one and loves it

 

[Dug]

Re: my mistake

Nick,
I already posted an argument against Ecotek, I suspect it's another in the long history of magical 'fuel saving' devices.

A company used to flog two batteries that you stuck to the fuel line, which was meant to do wonders for fuel economy. Another one sold blobs of solder in a can that was meant to make a car run on unleaded, even if it was a '4 star only' car. If it was that easy, surely the car manufacturers would have cottoned on by now??

I get between 380 and 440 miles from a tank, depending on the conditions and the petrol station where I fill up. There's no magic devices on my car...

 

[GingsBravo]

Ecotek has landed! --

Well Guys thanks for the info, The ecotek arrived today so fitting it on thursday.... may be a waste of time but something had to be tried as fuel economy is F8cking terrible,

Dug. What type/year of Bravo do u drive, and do u really get 440 to a tank?

Well thanks again guys, I update later if it really is a waste of money...

 

[Dug]

Re: Ecotek has landed! --

My Bravo is a 2001 1.2 16v, and I really do get 440 miles out of a tank. I tend to do quite long journeys and I rarely exceed 85mph.

I'm sure the way you drive has the biggest impact on fuel economy. When I was in my teens, I used to get terrible economy, even from a diesel! I've been on a few courses, and now I try to predict hold-ups ahead, avoid breaking unecessarily, make sure I'm in the right gear, and try to preserve my momentum.

I reckon your money is better spent on an advanced driving course or similar: you'll possibly enjoy driving more, and you'll save money in the long term.

 

[MP]

Interested

What sort of milage are you getting now ?

 

[Rob D]

Re: WHY

Gaz you are so crazy it un-true!!!

Did you have a good night out lat night?

Are you at work or at home???

Gaz Davis = the greatest Mechanic In Yorkshire!!!!

If you see this tonight bell me on the mob.

NOS is on the Way!!!!

 

[GingsBravo]

Teens... lol

Dug....
Thanks for the advice but I am far from being in my teens.... and have been driving many years... I have not taken driving course but do feel I am a steady and predictive driver.... I really do have a proble with fuel economy hence the purchase of the ecotek...
ps. I rarely exceed 70 as I live within the speed limits.....

cheers

 

[GingBravo]

Just about to top it up now

I'm just about to top it up when I get off work.... have done 100 miles after fitting and necking the tank... so will be necking the tank again soon so will updadte when I get back into work on sunday

 

[Gingsbravo]

update

Just a quick update on how the ecotek worked out for me... I top'd the tank last week and have done 380miles since and she's still reading two bars above the red.. When I top'd her up on fri, i got an extra 30 mile from 15euro than i did before the ecotek, so pretty pleased.... although I had just changed the air filter, plugs, oil filter, oil, fan belt, timing belt and tensioner at the weekend so that may be the reason its a little lighter on petrol, this is the most I've ever got out a full tank and there is still some left in it... The only thing I'd say against the ecotek is the loud rasping noise it makes when changing gears... sort of like a dump valve only with a loud quacking or fartin noise....lol not impressed when stuck in traffic in town.....

Den

 

[Trev]

Re: update

Hi
Fitted an ecotek to my car yesterday, will let you know now i get on, the car does feel more responsive though.
As for the fuel only time will tell.
The noise is n't to bad, you can buy a filter to go over it and as time goes buy they are supposed to settle down and quieten off anyway!!!!!