Anyone installed a Fitch fuel catalyst before?

[Highwaylizard]

I took a look at the Fitch web site. There's no real explanation, other than generalities, of how this device is supposed to work. No explanation of what's in it either.

The Fitch Fuel Catalyst is one of a number of devices of this type. When the Fitch Fuel Catalyst was tested by the Australian motoring organisation, the NRMA, "essentially no benefit in either emissions or fuel consumption was found on the two petrol (gasoline) vehicles tested."

The EPA has tested more than 90 aftermarket fuel saving devices and found that none worked as claimed. The Fitch Fuel Catalyst has not been tested by the EPA but a similar fuel catalyst-type device, the Vitalizer, produced no benefit.

I'd take that $200 and buy three tanks of gas with it. If you buy one tank a week, that'll improve your gas mileage this year by a guaranteed 6%.

Hey mibro I understand your skepticism. I do not know what is in the Fitch and I am not sure the company would divulge that as they probably consider it protected information. I do know that the Fitch is patented but I guess anyone with enough curiosity and know-how could cut it open and examine the contents.


Below is a cut and past (along with some additions and updates) from a response I gave awhile back to the same test you referenced:

I tried to go to the website where they say they tested the Fitch :

"Indeed, when the Fitch Fuel Catalyst was tested in February 2008 by the Australian motoring organisation, the NRMA, essentially no benefit in either emissions or fuel consumption was found on the two petrol (gasoline) vehicles tested. Supporters of this technology claim that the tests were flawed in some way - either due to incorrect installation, or insufficient "conditioning period" between installing the device and performing the test. While this cannot be disproved, the negative results still represent a significant challenge to the makers of such devices." Fuel saving gadgets - a professional engineer's view

Both times I went to this site it locked my computer up and I had to shut it down and restart it. I was able to read the first part of the page where it talked about the two vehicles tested. One was a Ford Falcon - if this was an early model then it was a predecessor to the Mustang and during the first couple of years nearly all the parts were interchangeable. This car was manufactured starting in 1960. This is like comparing apples to oranges - ancient carburetor engines to modern computer controlled fuel injected engines. Even if it was a later fuel-injected model there are still issues with their "test." I was not able to read any of their testing protocol before my computer locked up. Specifically I wanted to know:

1. Establishment of baseline fuel economy numbers
2. Testing conditions (real world vs. laboratory)
3. Testing distance (The manufacturer's of the Fitch state very clearly that their device will not begin to return improvements until after 4 or 5 tanks of fuel have been run through it)
4. Environmental conditions as well as terrain conditions
5. Type of fuel used (did they use standard pump gas from the same gas station the rest of us use all the time at every fill-up?

Number 3 is particularly important and I found that my MPG increases hit consistently in the 16 to 17+ range after passing the 100 gallon mark (approximately 4 tanks of fuel). I have tested the Fitch for over 10,000 miles and it has been installed on my truck for nearly 100,000 miles. My mileage has fluctuated (as I would expect everyone's does to a certain degree) and while peaks and valleys on the fuel economy chart are to be expected they cannot be taken individually as hard data - hence the reason for my long term testing. Taking that into consideration I still have seen an overall average improvement of 1.86 MPG or 13% in my fuel economy. Before the Fitch I rarely saw better than 15 MPG. Since the Fitch I saw 16 MPG and up more often than anything else.

You are correct in that the EPA has not tested the Fitch - nor has the EPA tested any fuel saving device since 2005. I was just on their website a few days ago and this really shocked me as I was under the impression that they were constantly evaluating fuel economy improvement claims. Aftermarket Retrofit Device Evaluation Program | Cars and Light Trucks | US EPA

"These test reports are for all of the specific products tested by EPA under the Aftermarket Retrofit Device Evaluation Program. They are listed alphabetically by product name. There has been diminishing interest in the program however; the most recent report was issued in 2005."

The EPA tests a product when paid by the manufacturer to test it or when consumer complaints about false or misleading claims by the manufacturer induce it to do so. While the Fitch may be similar to other devices it is patented which means, by definition, that it is unique, new, or a significant improvement over prior existing technology so as to warrant the issuance of a patent. This means that "similar" should not be misconstrued with "identical."

Since the EPA did not test the Fitch, and because testing and research is what I do, I was happy to test it myself. I am pleased that it has worked for me and other members. I was contacted by someone who installed the Fitch and actually had their mileage go down and attempted to help him figure out what went wrong but I never heard back from him after the initial exchange of emails.

I think I paid $195 for the Fitch and did the installation myself. Assuming 15 MPG prior to installation and 16 MPG after installation the Fitch broke even after 15,600 miles using $3/gallon as an average cost for gas. I feel that it was a good investment and since gas prices have only gone up since then I feel even better about it.

Questioning a device's efficacy is only smart and I respect your willingness to challenge fuel economy claims. I question and challenge fuel economy claims too through testing. Nothing wrong with either approach and I hope you understand that I am not challenging your statements - just sharing with you my experiences with the Fitch.

[mibro]

.......Questioning a device's efficacy is only smart and I respect your willingness to challenge fuel economy claims. I question and challenge fuel economy claims too through testing. Nothing wrong with either approach and I hope you understand that I am not challenging your statements - just sharing with you my experiences with the Fitch.

Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough response. I have a great deal of respect for your work evaluating various fuel efficiency modifications. It's rare to see someone do such thorough quantitative analysis.

My '03 Tundra has averaged 16.8 mpg since I bought it. Most effective mods so far have been tire pressure and servicing the parking brake bell cranks.

I have a strong suspicion there is more variability in gas station fuel pump accuracy than many gas stations would like us to know and that this affects apparent tank-to-tank gas mileage more than any other factor. The absolute easiest way to improve gas station profitability is to pump 19.9 (or 19.5) gallons and have the customer pay for 20.

In your quest for 20 mpg there are a handful of proven mods that may get you there. While tonneau covers have a negligible effect on fuel economy, partial tonneau covers actually work. A partial tonneau cover that covers the rear third (approximately - doesn't have to be exact) of the bed is effective. Combine this with a tapered fairing at the rear of the cab and you get most of the benefit of a full aeroshell.

If you're serious about improving fuel economy, aeromods are the way to go. This guy is getting over 30 mpg with his aero-modded Tacoma.

[jbtoy]

Questioning a device's efficacy is only smart and I respect your willingness to challenge fuel economy claims. I question and challenge fuel economy claims too through testing. Nothing wrong with either approach and I hope you understand that I am not challenging your statements - just sharing with you my experiences with the Fitch.

You need your own web site dedicated to this subject. You certainly have invested enough
time and research to be very knowledgeable on the topic.


I would give points, but, you already have enough!

[Highwaylizard]

Thank you for your thoughtful and thorough response. I have a great deal of respect for your work evaluating various fuel efficiency modifications. It's rare to see someone do such thorough quantitative analysis.

Hey Mibro thank you for the kind words. It has taken me awhile to fine-tune my testing and I made a lot of mistakes int he beginning.

My '03 Tundra has averaged 16.8 mpg since I bought it.

16.8 MPG average is excellent and I would have loved to turn those kinds of numbers in the beginning and build on those.

Most effective mods so far have been tire pressure and servicing the parking brake bell cranks.

I have always preached maintenance maintenance maintenance. It is number one on the list before throwing money into anything.

I have a strong suspicion there is more variability in gas station fuel pump accuracy than many gas stations would like us to know and that this affects apparent tank-to-tank gas mileage more than any other factor. The absolute easiest way to improve gas station profitability is to pump 19.9 (or 19.5) gallons and have the customer pay for 20.

I often wonder if gas stations are able to fiddle with how much the pump pumps. The pumps around here are inspected periodically by the Department of Weights and Measures and that is the best we can hope for in terms of accuracy. I try and use the same pump at each fill-up in order to level out variations in pumping with different pumps.

In your quest for 20 mpg there are a handful of proven mods that may get you there. While tonneau covers have a negligible effect on fuel economy, partial tonneau covers actually work. A partial tonneau cover that covers the rear third (approximately - doesn't have to be exact) of the bed is effective. Combine this with a tapered fairing at the rear of the cab and you get most of the benefit of a full aeroshell.

I have been turning low 20's on the highway with Summer-Blend fuel. The next step is to get the tank average to that level and I think the intorduction of aero mods is the next step in this process after headers and electric fans. I have been doing some research in aero mods and am in the design process for some belly plates for my truck. Years ago I actually came across a website which had the research data from GM's wind tunnel testing regarding covering the last third of the pick-up bed. The link no longer works and I kick myself for not having saved the information into a PDF file. I have toyed around with the idea of aerodynamic mods for the bed of the truck but I like the look of it and still use it as a truck so the mods there, aside from plans for an aerodynamic tailgate I drew up, are not in my future.

If you're serious about improving fuel economy, aeromods are the way to go. This guy is getting over 30 mpg with his aero-modded Tacoma.

I have toyed around with the idea of aerodynamic mods for the bed of the truck but I like the look of it and still use it as a truck so the mods there, aside from plans for an aerodynamic tailgate I drew up, are not in my future. I am not sure I can do the wheel discs and fender flares - just too far removed from the original design spirit of the truck.

You need your own web site dedicated to this subject. You certainly have invested enough
time and research to be very knowledgeable on the topic.


I would give points, but, you already have enough!

Hmm.

Original Blog which I still contribute to: Tundra Fuel Economy

Working on the new website which will have more information and interaction, videos, diagrams, charts, graphs, and - hopefully, advertisers and sponsors to support my research. Tundra Fuel Economy - Home
Each month the splash page will feature a different truck. The inaugural truck is one that I am particularly found of. You should check it out if you get the chance.

[jbtoy]

Working on the new website which will have more information and interaction, videos, diagrams, charts, graphs, and - hopefully, advertisers and sponsors to support my research. Tundra Fuel Economy - Home
Each month the splash page will feature a different truck. The inaugural truck is one that I am particularly found of. You should check it out if you get the chance.

I have been spending time on HP instead of MPG and not paying attention enough to your good
work. Your blog looks great and I like your choice of truck....

Keep up the good work. I know it is helpful to many.

[cpearson817]

I have been spending time on HP instead of MPG and not paying attention enough to your good
work. Your blog looks great and I like your choice of truck....

Keep up the good work. I know it is helpful to many.

I just checked out and noticed it's your truck. Haha!
That's awesome!