GS FAQ/Glossary, Busted/Confirmed Mods, Archive

[SVOboy]

Busted/Confirmed Mods:


Acetone:
I say it's busted (I tried it once, but FE went down due to weather)
http://www.fuelsaving.info/acetone.htm
http://www3.telus.net/metro/log/nov0305.htm
http://www3.telus.net/metro/log/nov1805.htm

Aerodynamic Mods (general):
Confirmed
http://www.kenworth.com/brochures/FuelEfficiency.pdf

Air-Bleed Devices:
Busted (Bad for pollution though and illegal in most areas)
http://www.fuelsaving.info/air_bleed.htm

Alternator/Accessory (AC, Power Steering, etc.) Belt Removal:
Confirmed
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=1074

Boattail:
Confirmed
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2005...at_tail_d.html
http://www.maxmpg.org/the_cap.html
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/p...ain_H-2283.pdf
http://www.osti.gov/fcvt/2000-01-2209.pdf

Caulking:
Really hard to test - how would you A-B-A it? (Hmmm...Scotchtape? Might be crazy enough to work! Thanks zpiloto!)

Driving Technique:
Confirmed...over and over and over

Electrical Mods (grounding/stabilising):
Plausible?
http://www.fuelsaving.info/electric.htm

Ethos:
Busted
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=908&page=2
http://www.gassavers.org/garage.php?do=viewgaslog&id=28
http://www.fuelsaving.info/ethos.htm

Front Wheel Skirts:
TBT (to be tested) (IMO most aero mods work)

Fuel Catalysts:
Busted
http://www.fuelsaving.info/catalysts.htm

Grill block:
confirmed
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/grille...ing-part-1.htm
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/grille...ing-part-2.htm

Hydrogen Generators/Injectors:
Plausible? (good theory, but impractical?)
http://www.fuelsaving.info/hydrogen.htm

Ignition Enhancers:
http://www.fuelsaving.info/ignition.htm

Intake/Exhaust Mods:
TBT

Increased PSI:
Confirmed (need a link)

K&N/High Flow Air Filters:
busted
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/air-filter-part-1.htm
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/air-filter-part-2.htm

Lightweight oils:
TBT

LPT (Light Pressure Turbo):
Confirmed
http://www.autozine.org/technical_sc...h_engine_3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbocharger
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2664/article.html

LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) Tires:
Confirmed
http://www.greenseal.org/resources/r...resistance.pdf

Magnets:
Busted
http://www.fuelsaving.info/magnets.htm
http://www.kirotv.com/consumer/2220354/detail.html

Mirror removal:
TBT (monitor system electrical load may outweigh benefits IMO)

Oil Additives (Slick50, Duralube, etc.):
Busted
http://www.fuelsaving.info/oil.htm
http://www.carbibles.com/additives.html

Platinum Injection:
Busted
http://www.fuelsaving.info/platinum.htm
http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/f...pvi/index.html

PCV Catchcan:
TBT

Rear Wheel Skirts:
Confirmed
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/grille...ing-part-2.htm

Tire Pressure (increased):
Confirmed
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread....highlight=tire

Undertray:
Confirmed (need a link)

Vortex Generators:
Busted
http://www.fuelsaving.info/turbulence.htm
http://www.kirotv.com/consumer/2220354/detail.html

WAI (warm-air-intake):
Jury is out - may be vehicle dependent or mostly improve winter FE
http://www.metrompg.com/posts/wai-test.htm

I'll think of more, but please add whatever you feel like or mods you would like to see busted/confirmed.

Also, I saw an older Mythbusters last night that I hadn't seen before. They tested AC on vs windows open FE. I think their testing methods left a lot to be desired and they should have run it more than once, plus they only tested at 45 mph due to safety conditions on the track. Windows open won by traveling an extra 30 miles on 5 gallons of gas. It's a large enough margin that I'm certain it would be fairly consistent, but I'd like to see the same test at higher speeds (and swapping methods per vehicle, and repeatability, etc).