A Quick Test For Six-Port Actuators
   by Larry
   Spg339307@aol.com

   Do not use Dust-Off! You will damage the ports. There is a real way to test the actuation of your ports. First you need some supplies. A very low pressure and accurate pressure gauge from about 1 to 5 psi (no, a 1-15 psi will not work). If you can not find a gauge, I can tell you were to get one. You will also need about eight feet of rubber tubing (something like windshield washer tubing works fine; the cheaper, the better). And last but not least, a simple T connector that fits the rubber tubing.

1. Testing to see the amount of pressure needed to open the ports.
   
      With the car off and cold (it gets hot down there), unplug one of the actuators and run a short rubber line to it. Plug the T into that line. Now in one of the other free ends of the T, plug in the gauge and into the last free end plug in a short run of rubber hose.
   

      Now blow into the short run of open hose (yes, blow with your mouth) and watch the gauge. When you hear the actuator open, make note of the pressure needed to open it. Do this to both actuators and if you have a 89-91 car, test the variable intake length actuator on the top of the engine. Put it all back to gether and go to step 2.
   
   

2. See if your car is opening the ports.
   
      Use the T connector and splice it into one of the actuator lines. Now on the one free side of the T connect about 6 feet of rubber line and hook up the gauge to it. Snake the line up under the corner of the hood and around into the cars open window. Be careful not to pinch the line with the hood down. You may have to play with it until you find a spot where the hood will not pinch the tubing.
   

      Drive the car (no, you can not just sit there and rev the engine) in second gear floor it and watch to see what rpm gives you the pressure needed to open the gauge. The best way to do this is have someone with you holding the gauge. They can watch the guage and say "now" when you hit the right pressure. When they say "now," look to see what RPM you are at. Note that the gauge will bump around at idle but when you are accelerating it becomes steady.
   
   

   You will find that most of you in '86-'88 cars with no cat and a free flow exhaust with an air line running from your cut out pipe are not opening up your ports! You do not have the backpressure needed to open the ports. Those of you in '89-'91 cars should not be running a line from your cut out pipe. In '89-'91 cars, the ports are not opened by exhaust back pressure but by air pump pressure only.