On modern cars the primary benefit of the CB-26P is improved performance, acceleration and throttle response - see the Datron tests here -  accompanied by additional fuel and emission savings, as confirmed by the latest Prodrive tests here

For carburettor and early petrol injected cars, improvements, particularly in emissions and petrol consumption, can be dramatic:

PERFORMANCE

On modern cars the CB-26P device works in at least two distinct ways to improve performance, it collapses the manifold vacuum allowing briefly for a richer mixture on the re-application of a trailing throttle - thus significantly improving throttle response - and it creates an element of off-throttle turbulence (increasingly being used by Mercedes Benz and Ford in their performance engines - see: Mercedes 'tumble flaps' here: http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/index.cfm?NewsID=176&id=4400 and Ford see para 8: http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=9358 ) making acceleration smoother and more urgent.

Tests by Datron at the Millbrook test track confirm significant improvements in acceleration as a result of these effects. Given the fact that the device relies on throttle variation (variable manifold pressure) to be effective, flat-out rolling road (Dyno) tests have proved inconclusive but thanks to the Datron Microsat system it is now possible to accurately measure extended acceleration runs (10 - 85 mph) whilst discounting launch times.

The Test concluded: "It is clearly established by an analysis of the data that the device improved the performance of all three cars during the test."

Turbulence in the inlet manifold (as produced by the CB-26P) is also known to reduce fluctuations in operating efficiency and flat spots caused by petrol vaporisation at high temperatures as well as the effects of performance tuning through high lift cams and competition exhaust systems. The mapping of a number of modern engines also has a tendency to favour fuel consumption and emissions and this creates flat spots, especially through the gears. The CB-26P is known to cure this and tests at Prodrive Laboratories prove that it can do this and still sustain improvements in economy and emissions.

Below is a graphic of the distance between cars with and without the CB-26P device showing how far ahead the modified car is when the unmodified car is travelling at the indicated speed, all the data was taken from 10 mph so as to exclude variations in the launch characteristics so the distances shown are actually understated from standing start times and graphically illustrate the potential benefits of the device.
 

 

On almost all modern cars the first experience you will get from the CB-26P is considerably improved throttle response - the Datron tester described the test cars as "more urgent and responsive" with the device fitted. A graphic representation of improved acceleration determined by the recent Datron Test results is above. Full Datron test details here.

On older cars there is a considerable amount of review material that describes similar benefits which can be found here together with tests on older cars here. Improvements are often dramatic.

The device is likely to have a different effect on different types of engine and owner comment and fitting details can be found here. The device is not suitable for diesel engines or supercharged engines or any engine with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) due the lack of (or lack of variation in) manifold vacuum.

 

PETROL CONSUMPTION

Improved petrol consumption is the 'Holy Grail' of motoring gadgets - many have claimed it but few have proved it conclusively due to the lack of exact repeatability in practical tests. The Ecotek CB-26P has long been acknowledged to be capable of improving fuel consumption on older cars but these effects are considerably reduced in modern EFi cars where combustion is controlled electronically - the more modern the car the the tighter and more accurate the controls.

The analysis of the Laboratory tests at Prodrive on the same cars used in the Datron performance tests (all modern economy cars) shows a measurable improvement in economy and emissions in Urban Cycle conditions, but less significant than on older cars.

At higher speeds on cars where the Lambda goes open-loop and the AFR controls switch off, increased economy gains can be expected as can gains in higher mileage cars where mapping constraints have become less effective.

Independent figures and 'real world' tests show that with the CB-26P improvements in petrol consumption of 10% are commonplace on older (pre-1995 Europe spec) cars. For more details see the Test Results pages. We have also devoted an entire page to the Car Mechanics guide to saving petrol so if you want some general hints click here. 

 

EMISSIONS

Emissions have become a number one priority in Europe to combat increased Global Warming as a result of Greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The MoT emission test is not a fully comprehensive test as it only measures hydrocarbons, CO and the Lambda (Oxygen in the exhaust, thus the air fuel ratio) and in certain cases the CB-26P has been used to help problem cars through the test.

The effects of the CB-26P have been comprehensively tested in the Prodrive Laboratories and details of the tests are here. They concluded: "The addition of the Ecotek CB-26P device saw a reduction in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in all cases".

There have also been customers who having fitted a CB-26P then claim to have passed the test with their Catalytic Converter removed, and there are examples of high performance engines with high HC having been helped. On a well maintained modern car of Eur 2/3/4 emission spec, the CB-26P will make a marginal improvement, see Laboratory data here.

On older cars without a full electronically controlled ECU spec  and virtually all Carburettor Cars, the CB-26P is well nigh a necessity come MoT time. Significant improvements in emissions were recorded by the DTi Warren Spring Laboratory (see here) on high mileage carburettor cars in 1995 and there is considerable reported evidence of the benefits to older cars from customers and motoring journalists here.

Whilst a well maintained modern family car, in standard trim, will be a low emitter and may well sail through it's emission test year after year; there are more than a few of us with modified cars or classic cars or even problem cars that could well do with a bit of help come MoT time!

 

FEEL THE DIFFERENCE

Because the bulk of the improvements in acceleration come from sharper throttle response, improvements in driveability can be dramatic and the motoring press has reviewed the device in dozens of cars, so if you want an informed and independent opinion here are just a few examples - all these and more can be read here: