RotoFab--Worse MPG until Tuned? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

IcePick06 · 03-18-2013, 01:50 AM

So I spent part of this afternoon washing & waxing the car & installing my RotoFab CAI (top of breather tube snapped off somehow so it took a little longer than expected as I had to use electrical tape to wrap and seal it--thanks to RotoFab for the awesome customer support

). Overall a pretty easy install and definitely love the fit and finish of the unit, but I noticed after driving to the gym and to the store that my gas mileage seemed a little worse than normal...is the car running richer now? I'm just wondering if other people that installed the RotoFab without a tune have noticed this as well.

Definitely love the sound of the blower now

69NMYSS · 03-18-2013, 04:17 AM

I broke top of my breather tube too when I installed my Rotofab. Not sure about MPG?

tmandoug1 · 03-18-2013, 05:17 AM

Seems like an issue, how do we "not break" our breather tube any advice for those of us waiting in the wings?

SlingShot · 03-18-2013, 07:29 AM

My MPG hasn't changed at all, still get 13/19 ... Also I think when installing, I removed the breather tube from the engine side first, and removed the line and air box as one unit. That way I was able to pull straight on the air box end without breaking anything.

FINALLYSATISFIED · 03-18-2013, 08:17 AM

Is the whine distinctive now with the intake installed?

SlingShot · 03-18-2013, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINALLYSATISFIED

Is the whine distinctive now with the intake installed?

Big Time !!! That's why some get bad mpg's ...

DRKS1D3 · 03-18-2013, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINALLYSATISFIED

Is the whine distinctive now with the intake installed?

Yes, very!

DadzZL1 · 03-18-2013, 08:21 AM

I would guess that it might take 50 or so miles on the car for the computer to re learn and then your MPG might pick back up. Just a thought, certainly don't know for a fact.

FINALLYSATISFIED · 03-18-2013, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

Yes, very!

After hearing that, this mod just got bumped up on the list of things to do. Thanks guys!

Tyler H · 03-18-2013, 08:31 AM

I installed mine a week after I got the car. MPG.... I have no clue. I haven't even started the car since I got it. It was flat decked right into my garage without having to start it! When I do start to drive it in the spring the MPG in the DIC will be one screen never viewed. Fuel economy was not on the list when I ordered it! The smile covers the fuel additional fuel consumption! This car is all about the fun factor!

pumpkinrancho · 03-18-2013, 09:20 AM

I put 567 miles on mine yesterday and averaged 18.2. This included a stretch where the cruise was set at 93. Still no tune and no CELs. and yes it runs very rich..Note it always has nothing new

pumpkinrancho · 03-18-2013, 09:22 AM

It sounds awesome.

Roto-fab 1 · 03-18-2013, 10:11 AM

In regards to possibly running rich-fuel trims and AFR with the Roto-fab are very close to stock, so your car shouldn't be running rich. There was a great deal of R & D to make sure the AFRs and FTs duplicate stock numbers as closely as possible.
With driving habits remaining the same, we typically hear there is a slight improvement in fuel economy with our system. However, there is a natural tendancy to use the pedal a little more when the sound is more pleasing to the ear!

Until the OP contacted us, we didn't realize anyone had a problem with breaking the top off of the breather canister. For those preparing to install, press the release tab on the top factory connector all the way in the direction it travels. With the lever fully depressed, pull straight upwards to disconnect from the canister. Sometimes it helps to push downward on the fitting, then pull straight upwards. Remove the canister from the air tube after you have removed the inlet elbow from the car.

jbotta · 03-18-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roto-fab 1

In regards to possibly running rich-fuel trims and AFR with the Roto-fab are very close to stock, so your car shouldn't be running rich. There was a great deal of R & D to make sure the AFRs and FTs duplicate stock numbers as closely as possible.
With driving habits remaining the same, we typically hear there is a slight improvement in fuel economy with our system. However, there is a natural tendancy to use the pedal a little more when the sound is more pleasing to the ear!

Until the OP contacted us, we didn't realize anyone had a problem with breaking the top off of the breather canister. For those preparing to install, press the release tab on the top factory connector all the way in the direction it travels. With the lever fully depressed, pull straight upwards to disconnect from the canister. Sometimes it helps to push downward on the fitting, then pull straight upwards. Remove the canister from the air tube after you have removed the inlet elbow from the car.

Great info, will be getting one this spring. Do you have instruction vid doing one on the zl1, It would be nice seeing one done with good instructions, I see on the blog guys moving ground cable out of the way and now this. I know they are easy to install but my luck I will break something. I really like you guys at rotofab for keeping us zl1 owners informed on all your products and how you stand behind what you sell this really means alot to me. Soon here in the cold states we can get our cars out and the first thing for me is the cai ( rotofab) cant wait. YOU GUYS ROCK

03-18-2013, 01:50 AM	#1
IcePick06 Drives: '12 AGM ZL1 (SOLD); '07 Ducati 1098 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tha OCizzle Posts: 731	RotoFab--Worse MPG until Tuned? So I spent part of this afternoon washing & waxing the car & installing my RotoFab CAI (top of breather tube snapped off somehow so it took a little longer than expected as I had to use electrical tape to wrap and seal it--thanks to RotoFab for the awesome customer support ). Overall a pretty easy install and definitely love the fit and finish of the unit, but I noticed after driving to the gym and to the store that my gas mileage seemed a little worse than normal...is the car running richer now? I'm just wondering if other people that installed the RotoFab without a tune have noticed this as well. Definitely love the sound of the blower now __________________ My Toys: 2019 Audi RS5 Sportback 2007 Triumph Thruxton R 2012 ZL1 Coupe (M6) #80 (SOLD) 2007 Ducati 1098 (SOLD) 2006 Yamaha R6 (Track/Race Only )

03-18-2013, 04:17 AM	#2
69NMYSS Drives: '69 Camaro SS and '12 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: CA Posts: 1,274 View My Garage	I broke top of my breather tube too when I installed my Rotofab. Not sure about MPG? __________________

03-18-2013, 07:29 AM	#4
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	My MPG hasn't changed at all, still get 13/19 ... Also I think when installing, I removed the breather tube from the engine side first, and removed the line and air box as one unit. That way I was able to pull straight on the air box end without breaking anything. __________________

03-18-2013, 08:21 AM	#8
DadzZL1 Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1, 2013 Porsche 911 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 27	I would guess that it might take 50 or so miles on the car for the computer to re learn and then your MPG might pick back up. Just a thought, certainly don't know for a fact. __________________ 6 Speed Manual with nothing else needed

03-18-2013, 08:31 AM	#10
Tyler H XLR8TNG Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Calgary,Ab Posts: 371	I installed mine a week after I got the car. MPG.... I have no clue. I haven't even started the car since I got it. It was flat decked right into my garage without having to start it! When I do start to drive it in the spring the MPG in the DIC will be one screen never viewed. Fuel economy was not on the list when I ordered it! The smile covers the fuel additional fuel consumption! This car is all about the fun factor! Last edited by Tyler H; 03-18-2013 at 08:47 AM.

03-18-2013, 05:17 AM	#3
tmandoug1 Deep Sea Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. Posts: 969 View My Garage	Seems like an issue, how do we "not break" our breather tube any advice for those of us waiting in the wings?

03-18-2013, 08:17 AM	#5
FINALLYSATISFIED Est.1775 Drives: '15 Challenger Hellcat (sold) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,502	Is the whine distinctive now with the intake installed?

03-18-2013, 09:20 AM	#11
pumpkinrancho COMPULSIVE CAMARO OWNER Drives: 18 ZLE,14 2ssrs,96,73 RS LT,69&67 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SE. WYO & Northern CO, W NEB Posts: 1,238 View My Garage	I put 567 miles on mine yesterday and averaged 18.2. This included a stretch where the cruise was set at 93. Still no tune and no CELs. and yes it runs very rich..Note it always has nothing new __________________ Last edited by pumpkinrancho; 03-18-2013 at 01:57 PM. Reason: clearifiaton

03-18-2013, 09:22 AM	#12
pumpkinrancho COMPULSIVE CAMARO OWNER Drives: 18 ZLE,14 2ssrs,96,73 RS LT,69&67 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SE. WYO & Northern CO, W NEB Posts: 1,238 View My Garage	It sounds awesome. __________________

03-18-2013, 10:11 AM	#13
Roto-fab 1 Drives: 16 Camaro SS w/ Roto-fab CAI Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,682	In regards to possibly running rich-fuel trims and AFR with the Roto-fab are very close to stock, so your car shouldn't be running rich. There was a great deal of R & D to make sure the AFRs and FTs duplicate stock numbers as closely as possible. With driving habits remaining the same, we typically hear there is a slight improvement in fuel economy with our system. However, there is a natural tendancy to use the pedal a little more when the sound is more pleasing to the ear! Until the OP contacted us, we didn't realize anyone had a problem with breaking the top off of the breather canister. For those preparing to install, press the release tab on the top factory connector all the way in the direction it travels. With the lever fully depressed, pull straight upwards to disconnect from the canister. Sometimes it helps to push downward on the fitting, then pull straight upwards. Remove the canister from the air tube after you have removed the inlet elbow from the car.