Red Bullet Works!

If you like it for what you paid then great, it works for you. I would need data before I considered any product like that. There would have to be A-B-A testing (back to back tests of a new OE solenoid vs the Red bullet) with at least data log of rpm, cam position, vvt control, VSS, and throttle control/ position under identical road acceleration.

Preferably there would be osilloscope captures of cam and crank sensors and vvt solnoid control.

MPG results are all well and good but realistically there are too many variables to base results on that.


Without reliable data that you can compare and analyze, all the "testimonials" are just marketing BS.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

It warms my heart not to be the only one pointing that out.

 

I recall a test in another Prius forum (C model maybe? ) where they did back to back to back mileage tests among others (1/4 mile and acceleration too I believe)

While anecdotal and not scientific...if it's one thing I've noticed, it's that Prius owners who drive the same route day in, day out, week after week know EXACTLY what their recurring mileage is and seem to be particularly sensitive to any changes in mileage.

I suspect those people could tell if there was any mileage to be gained by such a device.

I suspect I could too since I drive the same, boring old route every..single..day. I can tell you what my MPG is going to be BEFORE I even put gas in the car, such is the repeatability of the Prius! LOL (wide temperature changes excluded)

I suspect if it's a minute change I wouldn't notice. But something like 5-10 percent either way, would stand out immediately.

 

It would be a boon to PriusChat if more of those exactly-mileage-knowing Prius drivers would in fact calculate the standard deviation of their results over longish periods and publish them here and compare to the magnitudes of the changes they are so particularly sensitive to.

 

I used to do stuff like that frequently. In particular to my modded cars, logging 100s of dyno runs along the way. But someone would always find something to complain about when I'd post results. Can't please everyone! I just do it for me now.

I once did an exhaustive test (as in I was exhausted when I was done) of using acetone as a fuel additive in an old Toyota Echo. Was exhausting because to remove as many variables as possible I shifted gears at the same RPM, drove the same route, etc. Since the Echo was a fuel sipper, it took FOREVER to do the back to back to back. Plus the car was boring to drive. I was exhausted when done!

I think the most interesting/unexpected one I did was a back to back oil test. An oil rep GUARANTEED I'd make more HP using his oil than my already high quality oil. I called BS. He'd pay for dyno and oil if he lost. I'd pay for it all if I lost (oil was expensive). We agreed on a deviation run to run (I had tons of data, so I knew what the car made run to run to run). I lost the bet.

 

Ed I’ve followed you for years, I always appreciate your write ups and comments!

you’ve got me thinking I might want to try one of these Red Bullets...

 

I can say having one of these will change they way the car feels.

Very light and quick is what I would say if I had to describe what it feels like having one installed.

There will always be some who do not think it works or it is snake oil.

Those are the ones who do not need it and could not tell the difference if it was installed.

Like it has been said, really knowing how the car drives will tell you it works.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Question, if my engine eats oil (hopefully its a valve cover gasket issue that i can fix) and I get an Red Bullet in there, would the chances of oil consumption increase just on the fact that it releases more oil at once?

 

The claim made for this product has consistently been:

• (a) it makes valve timing changes happen faster than with the stock valve, and
• (b) because of (a), happy things with performance and drivability ensue.

Last Wednesday, mr_guy_mann put up the first (known to me) direct test of whether (a) happens. The test was done by scoping the crankshaft and camshaft sensors, which had already been identified two years earlier as the way it would have to be done. Data from OBD-II would not suit the purpose because of the delays in polling OBD-II and getting replies.

The work does have (for now) one methodological weakness, small sample size; it was well designed in taking multiple runs with each type of valve, but having purchased only one sample of each type, it cannot (by itself) rule out whether the single sample of any of the valve types was a dud. But it is a very good start on getting some basic information about this product that has been overdue for a couple years now.