Product Review - Ecotek CB-26P

I'd heard a few things about the device and read the review in Revs magazine, but I couldn't fathom how such a small "valve-type thing" could do what the manufacturers claimed it could. Such claims as "it reduces harmful emissions by improving the combustion process, this also means that it improves fuel consumption, reduces exhaust corrosion and maximises engine performance".

The whole idea of the CB-26P is based around the Fl "swirl" technology. It allows small air molecules into the engine, via the vacuum pipe leading from/to the inlet manifold, thus providing a better suspension of fuel molecules in the mixture and therefore improving the combustion process.

Now I don't know about you, but I wasn't convinced that this thing could do all that is mentioned above. However I was more than willing to test it out for all the folk out there who want to know what it's "really" like.

A quick phone call to Vince at Stealth Racing (01926) 812259, who are approved fitters of the device, and a time was set to have it fitted. With Stealth located in Warwickshire and me in Dorset, I had an early start on Saturday morning. I got there just before 9am to find the place deserted apart a standard 16v in a parking bay.

Another Mk 2 soon appeared and Vince introduced himself and the car was dropped into the workshop to have the gadget fitted. A cup of coffee and about 15 minutes later and the job was done, easy. Just before I started her up Vince warned me that it would make some noise. Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the noise it actually makes. All I can compare it to is the last drop of liquid being sucked through a straw from the bottom of a drinks carton, that kind of slurping, gurgling noise. Not exactly what I wanted having gone to great lengths to perfect the induction noise from the air box.

I was assured though, that this was normal (Footnote: Induction noise goes away after 1-2,000 miles as the device beds in.) and that I would get used to it, and to some extent I have. There was one occasion though, just after it was fitted, when I pulled up at some traffic lights and revved the engine to see how loud the noise actually was, and a passing pedestrian tapped my window and said, "I think there's something wrong with your car mate, it's gurgling"!

My initial impressions once fitted were great. I got back on the motorway and put my foot down and there was instant response in 4th the same as I was used to in 3rd. Pulling out to glide past the car in front in 5th actually turned into "fly past the car in front". It was quite unreal just how much difference this thing actually made! That was the performance factor accounted for. The fuel consumption was also better, getting an extra 60 odd miles more than my previous average off a full tank.

Now that I've had it for just over a week, I'm still impressed with it. I travel about 36 miles, cross country, to work, and then sit in traffic for about 20 to 30 minutes, all in all taking about an hour. Now they do say that the CB-26P works best on motorway travelling, which I agree with, but it also works reasonably for me, travelling back and forth to work, giving me an extra 30+ miles on top of what I usually get.

As for the emissions, well I got a new rear box the day before I had the CB-26P fitted and, after cleaning it on my return from Stealth, it's retained its shiny stainless steel finish so far! So the claim to reduce soot and the like from your exhaust fumes could well be accurate too.

Absolutely everything you could possibly need to know about this product is listed on the Ecotek web site which is: www.ecotek.org.uk

The Ecotek CB-26P retails at £48.99 including P&P and VAT, or £55.50 plus vat fitted. However, Stealth Racing are offering it for £50, including fitting, to all Club GTI members. If you are not happy with it, you can always return it within 30 days. They are guaranteed for 2 years or 20,000 miles, which ever comes sooner, so you have a fair back up!

So what is my over all conclusion? Well, I am exceedingly impressed with the CB-26P. There are so many benefits to it and for just £45, you would be pushed to find something equal to it for the price. You get used to the noise after a while, although I have been advised by Ecotek themselves, that this can be muffled somewhat by putting a foam filter around the valve. These are not factory items, so a bit of DIY is called for! Now that I have had one, I couldn't go back to how the car was before I got it!

I was initially cynical about the benefits of using this device, as there are plenty of products on the market which claim to improve fuel economy and/or performance but I am sure many are just gimmicks.

Furthermore, the type of driving seems to have very little effect on economy. Recently, on a motorway journey to Cumbria I was stuck in traffic jams for around 2 hours, yet still achieved 51mpg. This was only slightly worse than the 54mpg I achieved driving back from the Lake District, in which there were no such delays. I had been thinking of buying a diesel car, but there is no need as I am achieving comparable economy from a more responsive petrol unit, and the fuel is cheaper.

In summary, I am very impressed with your product, which I believe deserves a wider audience and could potentially greatly reduce traffic pollution in the UK through improved engine efficiency. I would like to think you will use testimonials such as mine to promote your product, which I believe needs higher profile publicity than is currently the case to persuade consumers to overcome their initial cynicism".

Yours Faithfully,