Stromberg "Power Plus" high frequency converter

[MaXiMuS007]

Hi all,

was at the Melbourne motor show today and in Bay 21 there were these people selling "Stromberg High Frequency Converters". Basically they reckon that when you install these, it triples the frequency of the sparks in the spark plugs, thus increasing the amount of fuel burnt and positively affecting economy and power.

They reckon anything up to 20% power increase, 14% petrol saving, increased spark plug life as well as other benefits.

Here is a URL i found on these things: http://www.geocities.com/surbolabuan/Stromberg.html

Does anybody know if these things work? Is it worth forking out $250 for a set of 6 for my line?

-Max

[EnricoPalazzo]

Hahah not another one...

Nahh man i would keep ur money in ur pocket.

It sounds like a scam, the website is a geocities one for gods sake

And it doesnt even work.

Ive never heard of this brand/product, and without knowing it, i can say its prolly like all those other magic fuel savers etc that do Sweet FA, ie fuelmaser REF Current Affairs Last year

Hey but if u still think that it may work, get it, then get ur car dynoed. If it doenst work, then bring it back for a full refund. U will onlu loose out on the dyno cost.

[BigDatto]

The link you provided also supply the infamous "Surbo" a known fraud. There's no evidence of any research or studies on how this spark thing actually works & it would appear a good name associated with carburettors is being used in a thinly veiled attempt to establish credibility for a product that has no sound basis - or even explanation - as to how & why it should work... ????

If you want something easy, cost effective that will improve performance and economy, try a tin-based fuel catalyst. these things most definitely work as claimed, regardless of whether you have any other mods.

I'm surprised the motor show organisers let these people in !!

[EnricoPalazzo]

Soo they fuel catalysts actually work?

[BigDatto]

Enrico,

I've had fuel catalysts installed on two different cars - yes they work, just as claimed. They lean out mixtures, as tested on a dyno with EGO probe, decoke the engine, as evidenced by oil that goes black as sh1t after 700-1000k's after fitting, better throttle response and economy + reduced emmissions.

Fuelstar's website now has links to before/after dyno charts, and the tuner had the sensibility to measure intake temps to compensate for any associated power gains/losses. Of particular interest is the XR6 ute, due to the timeline of runs and esp. the 180SX which has the same dip in the power curve that we've ALL seen on Skylines - right as the cams "come on" in kicks the knock sensor. Fuel catalysts fix this without ECU adjustment.

Powdered tin was issued to GI's in WWII, so they could use contaminated or very poor fuel in practically any internal combustion engine - so yeah they work and it's nothing new...

Sorry to rave - a fuel cat will pay for itself in petrol savings within a year if you drive regularly - you even be able to use lower octane fuel. I will soon fit one to the BigDatto and publish the results over a 10,000k period.

http://www.fuelstar.com/whatsnew.html

again, NOT a gimmick.

Hope this adds, etc.

[Xeron]

from what a few mopar performance guys have told me alot of the good lead replacement addatives u buy are just tin addatives. So who knows, there prolly good for ur head aswell.

[BigDatto]

Correct.

Tin, being a soft metal like lead will prevent VSR in "old tech-valve & seat" engines without the toxicity of lead. A Very Good Thing.

The classic & collector crowd have been using fuel cats for yonks - fit & forget. They work just as well on modern hi-tech donks. My old man had a Morgan +8, a tarmac rally Mini & a concours Cooper S... and fitted fuel cats to all of them. Thay made more power on ULP than leaded with no engine mods + reduced fuel consumption.

How many performance mods actually pay you back ???

[EnricoPalazzo]

Cheers Big Datto. I was goin to get one of these ages ago, but just before i purchased one, i got told it was a gimmik

Thanks again

[Steve]

BigDatto, you say that these catalysts lean out fuel - wouldnt this be pretty dangerous when already running mixtures on the edge?

Have you heard any reports of people using these in modified cars.

At well over the $1 mark for 98ron, these sound interesting, but when you include the cost of a new tune, or perhaps a rebuild due to detonation - I am a bit scared:)

Cheers

Steve

[BigDatto]

Good point , Steve

From my experience the correction in A/F ratios is subtle compared to a say a programmable ECU or interceptor tuned for a few more herbs, and only if it's required. As for highly tuned vehicles I couldn't tell you.

When I enquired about an appropriate unit for the BigDatto, they posted back this of particular interest:

sounds good to me, but then I plan to keep the stock turbo...

[Steve]

Thanks BigDatto, an interesting read.

[EnricoPalazzo]

Thanks for the read big datto. Hmmm, now i wonder which one would be suited to a skyline? the 2-3L FuelStar or the High Performance one. Dammit, $450 bucks

Grr

[BigDatto]

Hi Y'all,

Just saw an ad on the telly for "Today Tonight" (ch.7). One item mentioned was a device which claims fuel savings of 27% and looked very much like a fuel cat. I'll be watching this tonight with interest !!