Air swirl ring experiment sparks debate among car enthusiasts
The video has millions of views. It shows a Russian inventor named Farvaz Munirov proposing a metal ring added to the air intake to create a air vortex. He claims the modification is simple and could save up to four liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The idea hinges on the belief that the vortex helps air mix more efficiently with fuel during combustion.
In the discussion that followed, drivers and experts weighed in with mixed opinions. Some saw potential and urged further testing. Others warned that altering air paths could conflict with engine physics and possibly harm engines. So what is true?
Expert opinion
Alexey Revin, expert on wheels and driving, explains that attempts to spin airflow date back to carbureted engines from long ago. Early experiments attached tangential blades near the carburetor to swirl the flow. The current proposal would swirl the air after the throttle and before the intake pipe. The challenge is that each cylinder receives air through different paths with varying shapes and lengths.
Factory engineers already optimize air routes by shaping the intake tract to balance filling across cylinders. A single twist in the flow may not produce uniform effects. The channel geometry has long been refined to ensure each cylinder receives the right air-fuel mix. When a swirl is introduced after the throttle, the impact can be uneven or negligible.
Another example in the discussion shows a homemade air swirl placed near the carburetor, which seems to yield little to no benefit.
our verdict
The idea is not new and many have tried similar approaches. In this particular configuration and with the engine designs shown, the benefit is essentially limited. The extra ring is unlikely to cause harm, but it also does not deliver noticeable fuel savings for typical driving. People who report positive results may be influenced by optimism or misperception of small improvements.
When fuel use is measured accurately, the claimed savings do not materialize. Readers are encouraged to approach internet claims with a critical eye. For information and reliable automotive guidance, Za Rulem offers ongoing, experienced insights and demonstrations from a long-established automotive publication. Citations from Za Rulem are noted here for reference.
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Video: YouTube