OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: vmxrider on August 12, 2010, 12:25:30 pm

Title: Powernow carb mod
Post by: vmxrider on August 12, 2010, 12:25:30 pm
Just heard about this thing today, seems to have some merit in reducing 4 stroke cough off idle and some gian in low end on 2 strokes, looks easy enough to make one to try, but probably not era legal for VMX.
http://www.scaryfastracing.net/
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: mx250 on August 12, 2010, 12:39:53 pm
Who's gunna know? ;D

(Lozza or someone else might like to tell us if the performance is as good as the promise  ;))
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: mx250 on August 12, 2010, 12:54:26 pm
BTW it looks like BS to me but I would love someone to buy it and prove me wrong. 8)

Why BS? Because it does nothing (I can see) to speed up air flow through the venturi. In fact I would suss it to slow down air movement. If there was a enormous and obvious advantage it would come from increased turbulence or something else equally hit or miss.

But hey, prove me wrong :-\.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: firko on August 12, 2010, 03:03:59 pm
There was an almost identical gizmo produced by Skunk Works back in the early seventies. It worked in conjunction with their vortex inlet manifold of which I have fitted to my RT1 engine. Methinks it's a load of shit but I'd be prepared to give it a shot if someone bought me one.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: cappra on August 12, 2010, 03:12:21 pm
I don't know if this gizmo works, but I know for a fact that these work.

http://www.thunderproducts.com/u_f_o.htm

Been using them for over five years with excellent results.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: Mike52 on August 12, 2010, 03:22:40 pm
BTW it looks like BS to me but I would love someone to buy it and prove me wrong. 8)

Why BS? Because it does nothing (I can see) to speed up air flow through the venturi. In fact I would suss it to slow down air movement. If there was a enormous and obvious advantage it would come from increased turbulence or something else equally hit or miss.
But hey, prove me wrong :-\.

Another intelligent observation MX.
 All those bike makers were so Dumb that they missed this free HP boost.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: firko on August 12, 2010, 03:26:45 pm
I know one gizmo that definitely works.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160372062329&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3604wt_1059 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160372062329&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3604wt_1059)
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: Mike52 on August 12, 2010, 03:30:30 pm
I know one gizmo that definitely works.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160372062329&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3604wt_1059 (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160372062329&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3604wt_1059)
They put them on those little pocket bikes Firko, can you imagine? :o :o
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: mx250 on August 12, 2010, 05:06:38 pm
I don't know if this gizmo works, but I know for a fact that these work.

http://www.thunderproducts.com/u_f_o.htm

Been using them for over five years with excellent results.
I haven't tried them but have been thinking of it (or D.I.Y.).

I would suss to actually work because see why in principle that they work - improved, smoothed, air flow through the venturi.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: VMX60 on August 12, 2010, 05:11:56 pm
Cappra

Most people laugh at the UFO once you have the jetting sorted which can take a while there a good unit
Brought my first one over 8 years ago
I am a believer
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: tony27 on August 12, 2010, 05:39:27 pm
I can understand the theory behind the powernow, by using a blade that comes as far forward as the slide it possibly fools the carb into acting as though it is smaller diameter. No idea if it actually works
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: mx250 on August 12, 2010, 06:33:32 pm
I can understand the theory behind the powernow, by using a blade that comes as far forward as the slide it possibly fools the carb into acting as though it is smaller diameter. No idea if it actually works
That what the slide does  ;).

The only way that the Powernow will improve power is if the 'channeled' air speeds up or smooths the air flow to such a degree that it improves efficiency of the venturi to more accurately mix the air/fuel or if in some way it improves atomising of the fuel. And the effect would have to be dramatic to have a noticeable effect to power.

The only way there is going to be more power is by more air/fuel been feed to the engine, or, what air is been feed in is more efficient by means of atomizing.

The other contradiction that has more BS metre atingling is the improved top end performance.

I'm not saying it doesn't - they are offering dyno sheets - but there's no stand out reason as a basis of their claims. I'm a 'doubting Thomas' waiting for someone to whack me between the eyes with the bleeting obvious.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: Mike52 on August 12, 2010, 06:42:01 pm
Sorta like that Aluminium whirley thingy advertised on telly.
Saves you fuel AND gives you more HP.
Whatever you do never let the maths get in the road of a good scam.
As for the twirley bit mixing the fuel better I thought the angle built into the inlet port did exactly that.
From the factory no less. :o
And what about the spark booster thing that used to be sold at the shows.
Cost about $80 but never open one or you will be real pissed.
By putting a gap in the spark lead you can increase the spark voltage.
So you paid $80 for a gap. :o
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: sudman on August 12, 2010, 07:38:40 pm
I had a Gasgas 200 with one on it when I purchased the bike, tried it with & without as far as I could tell it did nothink at all. ;D
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: Toolboy on August 13, 2010, 11:52:52 am
I had the powernow fitted in my 07 RM250 and it defiently made a difference to the mid range, i also had to go leaner in the jetting.

I would like to try on my 79 RM400

Tim
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: bigk on August 13, 2010, 09:06:11 pm
I've used the opposition "powerblade" on a couple of modern four strokes, definately improved throttle response & less bog. Good things.
K
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: john d on August 14, 2010, 08:39:03 am
  It does work on one piston port, short stroke 125 I know of.
Cleans up the bottom end and makes the engine pull stronger.
 It would make the venturi into a D port with the slide half open .
 Would block much of the turbulence created by air slamming into the slide when the throttle is open 1/2 or less.
With the throttle wide open you would have a venturi with Double D's................. ummmmmmmmmm.  :o
 Hey !!!!!! you know.......... anytime I have been able to get my hands on Double D's  its been a very good day dont you know !!  ;D ;D
chuckle chuckle!!!
 They do work on some engines for sure  ;)
  Do some checking on still air box designs.  A lot of info on shapes and their effects on airflow on the intake of engines.
john d. ( always in seeking the perfect set of  Double D's ) d.   :P

Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: mx250 on August 14, 2010, 09:00:11 am
More than a mouthful is pure waste  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: Lozza on August 18, 2010, 09:59:26 pm
These things only 'work' on the rear(engine) side of the slide, they make 3/5ths of SFA difference to engine output. I made one from a strip of brass sheet there is no real science behind them.
My advice would be to save for either a V-Force and decent ignition, they really make a difference.
Title: Re: Powernow carb mod
Post by: brent j on August 18, 2010, 10:17:52 pm
These things sound a bit like a HYCLONE on a car engine. All the testamonials had no names or details but they sure sounded good.
5,000km with one and 5,000 with out said I'd wasted $140