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1. What is the Surbo useful for?
A: The Surbo is for pulling in air from the atmosphere more quickly through the air filter, creating higher air compression (per throttle travel) in the engine. This moderate pressure gives the engine a greater ability to accelerate, and as air is more quickly refilled by the Surbo at the air intake, the rpm limit is achieved with just half throttle. The effect is that air can pass through the engine and exhaust at a faster rate when the Surbo is activated. As the accelerator is pressed less for most circumstances, the fuel consumption is reduced by 10% on average, and exhaust emissions including CO2 are also lowered.
2. Can the Surbo be fixed for diesel engines?
A: Yes, please refer to diesels regarding advantages of Surbo for diesel vehicles.
3. Can the Surbo be installed for fuel injection engines?
A: Yes, it works for most engines, EFI, diesel or carbureted.
4. Can the Surbo be installed in a very old car?
A: Yes, as long as this very old car does not have any major problem and the Surbo installation airtight. The owner should get the engine checked, and replace any broken air tubes around the manifold or engine oil compartment before fixing the Surbo.
5. Why are many of the cars listed so old, unlike my modern car?
A: The Surbo is meant for use on cars that need more power, and since older cars may be more worn out, we do many of these older cars and list them (by numeric-alpha order for easy searching). Despite improvements in computer management, engine technology has remained roughly the same for many tens of years, with air remaining the common factor among all vehicles with internal combustion engines, regardless of age or era. There is a good chance that the Surbo will work for your modern car too, as long as it needs air.
6. Is it easy for the Surbo to be fixed?
A: Yes, because we have categorized most engines according to their air intakes, and trained our dealers with guides. The time taken for Surbo installation is around 1 hour per car.
7. Which parts of my engine will be removed before installing Surbo?
A: The air filter and the main air pipe after it will be taken off first. The Surbo will be installed in a suitable section in that, and after that as far as possible all parts taken off will be reassembled like the original. We will inform you beforehand of the visible changes if any, before starting the job.
8. Will the Surbo replace my air filter?
A: No, the Surbo normally does not replace any original part. It may be inserted in the main air pipe after the air filter, or in the filter box outlet, or inlet, with suitable rubber adaptors. If the original air filter case has been replaced entirely by a round one on top of the engine so that there is no pipe to put the Surbo in or on, we may request for the original air filter setup.
9. Can the Surbo be installed with an open cone filter?
A: Yes, if your car already comes with that. Surbo can be installed in the original main air pipe after the cone, or in a modified metal pipe after the cone. However, the original oil cooling tube U (upper breather, shown in How It Works) must be joined back as the original. If not, the Surbo will face a leak through the lower cooling breather L that is joined to the manifold. Because of this, small 2 inch filters in place of U are not allowed. Also, if there is an air flow meter, the Surbo has to be installed after it (meaning between it and the main air pipe), as it can be easily disturbed. See this Surbo or Twin_Surbo-ready pipe design.
10. Do I have to modify my engine for Surbo installation?
A: No, normally no cutting or mods are necessary for Surbo installation. In most cases it is better to keep it all original as the materials are of better quality, and it may also be easier to fit the Surbo on original equipment. However, if some parts of your engine has been changed by a third party, and there are any changes from there that are important to the functioning of the Surbo, we will inform you before the job commences. You might also read Trouble-Shooting Guide For Surbo for information regarding accessories that are imcompatible with the Surbo.
11. Can I install the Surbo myself?
A: Yes, if there is no Surbo dealer in your area. We can help you do it via email. After that, if you like, you can apply to become a dealer in your area.
12. Can the Surbo be put on a motorcycle?
A: Yes, but there is more work compared to cars. Due to the lack of space for a motorbike, the air filter that is joined to the throttle must be removed first. An elbow and pipe must be joined from the throttle to the side of the motorbike, the Surbo will be attached to the pipe, and an enclosed, compact air filter joined to the Surbo. All joints must be sealed with RTV silicone and there must be no leak. It is best if the motorbike owner has experienced the Surbo already so he knows what effect to look for, or he can get help from the Surbo dealer.
13. How can I remove the Surbo?
A: The Surbo is easily removed with simple tools like a screwdriver.
14. Before servicing, should I remove the Surbo?
A: Usually the Surbo's installation spot is untouched by the mechanic. However, if it's a major service, you might like to remove it with simple tools such as a screwdriver. After servicing, we recommend that you ask your Surbo dealer to refit the Surbo. Otherwise you can DIY if you had been instructed by the dealer the first time the Surbo was installed.
15. Will I lose my new car warranty if I install the Surbo?
A: As most of our jobs are reversible, there is seldom any issue with car showrooms. We will inform you of any changes to your air intake before starting installing the Surbo. You may also check with your car agent if unsure. Up till now no one is known to have lost a warranty due to having a Surbo. However, if you are about to make a claim against the agent for a vehicle defect, it is good to have every additional item uninstalled, including the Surbo. After the claim you might call us to have it reinstalled.
16. Will I be able to feel the improvement immediately?
A: Most likely. No feel, no sale! With the Surbo, we guarantee red line on the rpm meter with half throttle if your car is manual, and if your car is automatic, then you will get a more sensitive throttle plus higher revs than normal.
17. Can the Surbo give better performance, and a smooth sail?
A: Yes, click here for examples of Higher Speed And Better Acceleration. Picking up becomes easier even in the top gear so the trip time can be shortened for comfort.
The Surbo moves the engine smoothly with a moderate air pressure that gives more power to the engine, so that the accelerator is pressed less, leading to less engine noise. Engine vibration is reduced as the cylinders become more balanced as each of them get this additional air pressure, whereas in a normal engine only the compression and ignition cylinders are under pressure and the intake and exhaust cylinders are not. This also reduces engine-induced vibrations at other parts of the vehicle. The reduction in vibration increases smoothness and efficiency of the engine, which aid fuel economy.
18. Is there anything else that I have to add to enhance the Surbo's performance?
A: There is no need, as the Surbo is able to deliver good performance on its own. However, to maximize its sensitivity, use a Boost Meter to trigger the Surbo.
19. My car is already modified with added power. Can the Surbo increase the power further?
A: Yes, maybe it is possible. Please refer to "The Real Thing".
20. How much power can the Surbo add?
A: This depends on the car in question and method considered. For example, the owner of a 125 bhp Civic ESi (with Surbo) said he outran his friend's 160bhp Civic VTi, by half a car up to gear 3. This shows that at low gears, the Surbo effectively raises acceleration power by 30% (=160/125). In terms of torque, the Surbo can raise it by up to 18% as shown by the Dynamometer Test. In terms of 0-100 kph timing, a Proton 1.5 EFI takes 8 secs to 100 kph, down from 11 originally (this result was achieved twice, one of which was by our dealer Ah Tee in Kuala Lumpur). Where top speed is concerned, many Surbo cars around 1.5 or 1.6 litres have exceeded 200 kph, some touching 220 kph.
21. Can 2 Surbos be installed in 1 vehicle?
A: Yes, that's called the Twin Surbo, that delivers 10% more torque than the single Surbo in the 2500-3000 rpm band, and thereby an advantage of 5% in fuel saving. This comprises of two Surbos joined together with no more than 1.25 inches of space in between, totalling 11 inches in a straight line only and aligned, because the upper Surbo further away from the throttle needs the lower Surbo to pull it into a vortex. If you already have one Surbo and are satisfied with it, you can add another to form a Twin if space allows.
22. Does the Surbo require electricity?
A: No.
23. Is there a switch to turn the Surbo on or off?
A: Your right foot is the only control. Please refer to How It Works
24. What principle is the Surbo based on?
A: Please refer to How It Works
25. How does the Surbo force air into the engine, and from where does it get the power?
A: Please refer to How It Works
26. Will the Surbo damage the pistons?
A: No, please refer to question below.
27. Can the Surbo damage the engine?
A: No. The engine with Surbo does not have to work as hard as before, as it is aided by the air pressure push from the Surbo. The increased torque means that the accelerator does not have to be pressed as much as before, so the fuel injected and heat created in the engine is less, and the likelihood of engine knocking is reduced. Therefore, with the Surbo the engine is likely to have a longer life.
28. Do I need to use 98 octane, or 92/95 octane after Surbo installation?
A: The choice is yours and here's why. Normally, petrol with too low an octane number (RON) can't be used in high compression engines, as the petrol can self-ignite under pressure, which can lead to a flame front coming down at the piston that is still on its way up, called engine knocking which can damage the engine. However, with Surbo, it may be possible to use petrol with a lower octane level than recommended by the car manufacturer, because the accelerator is often pressed less meaning less fuel is injected, so the chance of knocking is reduced. Even if there is a little preignition, it may help the main spark in the spreading of the flame, like sequential sparking in Hondas (DSI or Double Sequential Ignition, where one spark is followed by another for each combustion cycle), or Twin Spark technology in Alfa Romeos. One of our customers, driving a Kia Rio, actually achieved better economy with 92 octane compared to the recommended 98 octane. You might also try to mix octanes to see which gives you the desired performance and economy.
29. What happens when more air than usual goes into the engine, so that the air-fuel ratio goes up? Isn't there supposed to be a constant air-fuel ratio?
A: To follow the chemical formula for internal combustion engines, the air-fuel ratio should be constant, because every volume of fuel needs a fixed volume of air to burn it completely. However, this may be under controlled, steady state conditions in the lab, where air flow keeps up with fuel flow. What's more, the engine may be moving at a fixed velocity, and is not under changing loads.
In a normal engine, as the fuel delivery is under fuel pump pressure, but as the air intake is not pressurised, if the throttle is suddenly opened for more speed (a transient), fuel will surely be forced in immediately, but air arrives later, causing a part of the fuel that arrived relatively early to have insufficient air for full combustion, and the result is emissions of various kinds of pollutive gases. For example, instead of forming CO2, poisonous CO is formed because there was not enough oxygen to burn it completely. Otherwise, we may have soot from diesel vehicles, or various gases from petrol vehicles that cannot be seen but can be smelled, if you are not covered from a suddenly accelerating vehicle, especially automatic cars even with the latest technology. However, the Surbo can help as it can pull air in more quickly than normal towards the engine so that air is not so late compared to the fuel. What is more, this air, being compressed, gives more torque instantly so less of the throttle needs to be opened and less fuel is required for the same power, meaning less pollution will result. Fuel is saved too.
Regarding excess air as a result of using the Surbo, the advantage is that the fuel has more of a chance of finding oxygen in time, with which it can combine, and the rest of the air acts as a spring, which raises compression and gives the engine more torque.
30. Is there a difference if the Surbo is fitted before or after the air filter? If it is fitted after the filter, how is the air going to spin into the engine?
A: The answer is the air cannot, and does not have to spin all the way into the engine! The vortex (air spinning) will end in a few inches, and after that, it is all higher density air all the way into the engine. In the beginning, it was a high density buildup in the cylinders when the accelerator was held or slightly released, that created a backward pressure that passed the throttle, bends in the pipes, and pressed at the outlet of the Surbo to make it spin the air. So, even if the Surbo was fitted before the filter, this back pressure would get to it and cause the air coming out of the Surbo to spin. Within a second, the accelerator is pressed back (throttle opened again) and the vortex and higher air density are maintained. The driving feel of a Surbo fitted before or after the air filter cannot really be differentiated.
31. Why aren't there different sizes of Surbo for different capacities?
A: Air is the common factor for all internal combustion engines. As air going into any engine is the same, and as the back pressure (as described in the previous question) is also similar, these 2 main conditions are sufficient for the Surbo to work. The Surbo's design takes the air pressure from that outside to that of the back pressure and maintains it at that level. Till now, the Surbo has been able to work for engines 3000 cc and below.
32. What is the purge system, and why do you stop it? Why was it designed in the first place?
A: The purge system, if allowed to turn on, would expel air pressure from the manifold, limiting the Surbo's pressure capability to the purge level. If the purge was stopped, the Surbo will have its full air pressure capability, resulting in higher engine compression meaning more engine power, so the accelerator needs to be pressed less. That means less fuel will be injected, and with the higher density air in the engine, less unburnt fuel goes out and so emissions are reduced, even more than the purge system did. According to a Vicom Singapore test report, the Surbo was able to further reduce HC (hydrocarbons incompletely burnt) by 5.45%, CO (poisonous carbon monoxide) by 52.9%, and CO2 (responsible for global warming) by 40%. Read more about Surbo's Environment Friendliness.
(The purge system was designed to expel air pressure because air pressure caused the fuel pressure regulator to pump hard and some fuel goes out unburnt. The Surbo has been shown to more effectively reduce emissions so the purge system is redundant.)
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