There seems to be some confusion over HOW the Dial-a-jet works so here is a more in depth explanation.The Dial-A-Jet system was invented by Dennis Dean, Ph.D. (Doctorate in acoustics). Mr. Dean held over 120 world motorcycle drag racing records and several Bonneville records. The Dial-A-Jet concept was used on all of these machines. He knew that he needed a different fuel curve for the launch area, middle of the track and the end of the track. He also had to deal with different altitudes, temperatures, and air densities. Dial-A-Jet proved to take care of these problems as well as providing that fine tuning edge that meant the difference between winning and losing at this highly competitive level.
Modern motorcycle engines come from the factory jetted on the lean side, leaving little room for error. Motorcyclists often discard their standard air filter and install a high flow air filter. This will upset the air to fuel ratio making the engine run even leaner and hotter. Custom exhaust systems are usually lower restriction which also causes the engine to run leaner and hotter. The combination of the high flow air filter and the low restriction exhaust system substantially alters fuel flow requirements, leaning the engine and raising the operating temperature. The additional heat that is generated can have a detrimental effect on engine longevity as well as delivering poor performance. Gear selection may become more difficult due to increase in oil operating temperature. The cure for these lean conditions is to restore proper air/fuel ratios. This can be done by rejetting which requires removal and disassembly of your carburetors. This may be a very expensive proposition, paying for 3 or 4 hours of shop time as well as purchasing a jet kit. Dial-A-Jet kits can usually be installed at home in approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours without having to remove and disassemble your carburetors. Dial-A-Jet now allows you to richen or lean your engine in seconds simply by turning a dial. The ability to adjust your carburetors externally may save you another trip to the local dealer to adjust your carburetors if they didn’t get it right on the first try.
Lonn Peterson became interested in using Dial-A-Jets on snowmobiles in the winter of 1989/90. Lonn recognized a great need for this product in the snowmobile industry. Large altitude and temperature changes had to be dealt with, not to mention engine modifications requiring attention to the fuel system. They worked so well and the feed back was so positive that he decided to buy the company. Lonn and his wife, Ann, now own Dial-A-Jet which is part of Thunder Products, Inc.
The basic concept of the Dial-A-Jet has never changed since day one; however, it is a highly evolved product that has seen many improvements. Performance has always been the number one consideration. Most other improvements have to do with making the Dial-A-Jet more user friendly, such as fitting into tight places or mounting in easy to access areas, filtering the air to the Dial-A-Jet, reading the settings, etc.
Dial-A-Jet is a very reliable fail proof product that works every time! Dial-A-Jet makes more horsepower on less fuel. You can expect gains in the 3% to 5% range. It’s much more than a quick and easy way to change main jets. There are no moving parts or electronics to fail. Dial-A-Jet is a small product measuring only 7/8″ long, 5/8″ wide and 5/8″ high. Air enters the Dial-A-Jet body through one of the five pre-selected air correction circuits in the rotary dial. Each of the five air correction circuits is a different size allowing either more or less air to enter the mixing chamber. More air would be leaner (larger hole) and less air would be richer (smaller hole). Fuel from the float bowl is instantly drawn into the mixing chamber and swirled with air at a high rate of speed emulsifying the fuel. The fuel mixture is like millions of tiny thick skinned balloons with air inside. This is called an emulsified fuel charge. The emulsified fuel charge is inducted into the carburetor through the secondary main jets located in the fuel delivery tube. At this point the Dial-A-Jet is way ahead of the rest of your carburetor. All of the other circuits in your carburetor introduce raw liquid fuel into the air stream, just beginning the atomization process. The lightweight fuel mixture from the Dial-A-Jet only weighs 10% of what liquid fuel weighs. Slight changes in engine load can be quickly and accurately compensated for with this lightweight fuel mixture. Instead of losing as much as 15% of your horsepower due to improper jetting, your machine can now perform at optimum level at any temperature or altitude. A snowmobile will always run like it does at 20 degrees below zero.
Three things trigger Dial-A-Jet’s fuel signal: 1) engine pressure drop (vacuum or fuel signal); 2) acoustic sound signal which either amplifies or de-amplifies the reversionary pulse waves of the intake tract (we will explain more about the acoustics later); and 3) air flow and velocity. Dial-A-Jet works from just above an idle all the way to full throttle. Dial-A-Jet automatically gives you a perfectly calibrated carburetor that feeds fuel linear to engine load. Feeding fuel linear to engine load means being jetted properly whether you are pulling a heavy engine load like a hard hole shot with good traction or just cruising easily on hard pack at 40mph. Various speeds and engine loads require changes in your fuel curve. Dial-A-Jet automatically monitors your engine’s needs then alters your fuel curve to match. A load must be placed on the engine for Dial-A-Jet to function. You can’t rev your engine up on the jackstand and watch fuel go up the lines. Without loading the engine, there is no need for extra fuel; therefore, Dial-A-Jet does not deliver fuel. This is normal.
Dial-A-Jet is an add fuel only device. You cannot add fuel to an engine that is running rich or has an adequate fuel supply and hope to gain horsepower. You must create a lean condition so that Dial-A-Jet has a window of opportunity to function. Dial-A-Jet will automatically fill in the lean areas of the fuel curve giving you optimum performance. The fine emulsified fuel charge can’t displace the heavier poorly atomized fuel from the other circuits so it takes the path of least resistance and fills in the lean mix areas eliminating fuel spiking and giving you a consistent fuel flow pattern producing stable temperatures and horsepower. The only way Dial-A-Jet can fail to perform is if you do not get the carburetor within range of the Dial-A-Jet. This usually means that the main jet is too large. You must create a slightly lean condition so the Dial-A-Jet has a working range. This is typically about three or four jet sizes below a properly jetted machine. A single Dial-A-Jet will deliver 10% to 15% of your overall fuel curve in an emulsified state. There are five automatic fuel ranges you can select from on each Dial-A-Jet. Simply rotate the dial to raise or lower your fuel curve. With Dial-A-Jet each carburetor can be adjusted independently. This is a huge advantage for maximizing the full potential of each cylinder while giving you great protection against burn down.
Dial-A-Jet is an acoustical device that is triggered by acoustic sound signals. The acoustic signal is generated when gasoline is ignited in the cylinder just inches away from the Dial-A-Jet. This signal amplifies the pumping action created by the reversionary pulse waves that occur naturally in any engine’s intake tract. The acoustic signal along with normal engine vacuum or fuel signal causes fuel to be delivered to the engine. We have all heard the sound of a fat, over-jetted engine such as you hear at high altitude or very warm weather riding. It’s the whaaa whaaa sound. This is a slow, fuel rich reversionary pulse wave in the intake tract. This would give Dial-A-Jet a de-amplified fuel signal resulting in little or no fuel being inducted. The reverse of this is also true. A crisp lean sounding engine generates a fast sharp reversionary pulse wave, triggering Dial-A-Jet to automatically induct fuel. Detonation is an extreme lean condition that generates a sharp reversionary pulse wave. This excites the Dial-A-Jet causing a rapid response with additional fuel delivery to stave off engine damage. Remember that we are moving a very light weight emulsified fuel charge. This is the reason it is so responsive to the engine’s fuel needs over such a broad range.
Dial-A-Jet works great on stock or modified machines giving a realistic 10% to 20% increase in fuel economy or more. Throttle response is extremely fast and smooth. Throttle lag is virtually eliminated. Throttle lag is where the airflow in your carburetor out accelerates your fuel, which finally catches up. Being that the Dial-A-Jet delivers such a lightweight fuel charge, the air can no longer out accelerate the fuel as it once did. The result is major league throttle response! Dial-A-Jet automatically purges your float bowl of alcohol, water, benzenes, or other unwanted sediments that could cause engine damage. Modified or piped machines will have fuel needs that require a higher fuel curve when the pipes and modifications kick in. In other words you need one fuel curve when running below peak and another fuel curve at peak horsepower. This is why a piped machine is so fussy to jet. More horsepower requires more fuel. Dial-A-Jet will automatically raise or lower the fuel curve optimizing performance. Dial-A-Jet feeds fuel based on engine demand. Spark plugs will last longer. The plug color will be lighter and piston wash will be minimal or disappear due to the improved fuel delivery and combustion efficiency.
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