VAK (Vacuum Accessory Killer)

[SHOWHAT9]

Ok I took the plunge a couple of weeks ago and visited the Castle of the Mad Genius. One of the items on the Agenda was the installation of his VAK system on my 97. First, it's important that for those that don't frequent V8List, must understand that I park in the Mechanically Handicapped Zone.
For a long time I was considering UDP's. Down side was, in my estimation, not worth questionable gain, not to mention a pencahnt for occassionally breaking when you lest expect. Did I mention cost prohibitive for power potentially produced??
After much conversation and deep reflection, ok it wasn't deep, it was simple math. If I can gain virtually the same HP AT THE WHEELS, with out the expense, and have a fail safe system, the VAK made cents (oops)sense to me.
It's principal appears simple enough. Control parasitic HP loss through the engine vacuum to electronically "turn off" all the power draining devices under full acceleration mode. Simple enough.
I have been running over two weeks now and of course just like UDP's I can't tell you in "seat of the Pants" terms that I am significantly faster than before. However, unlike UDP's I instantly know when it's working thanks to a brief flash of the battery indicator, telling me that the alternator is being managed by the VAK. This also tells me that all other electrical drain is being managed by the VAK and the power that is released should translate to the pavement. (ohh for a real trans!!)
So far, for the money, I feel it's a far better deal than UDP's. The best news of all....If for any reason the VAK feels like taking a crap, the entire system defaults to factory operation. I like that as opposed to my choices with UDP's if they decide to go south.
Again, understanding that I do not possess perhaps a 10th of the mechanical knowledge of most people who populate this site, I can do simple math.
It just made more cents (darn did it again)than UDP's
IMHO.
As usual, other than that, I have no opinion.
thumbs_u

<small>[ February 24, 2003, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: SHOWHAT9 ]</small>

 

[Dave97SHO]

Cool.

My UDP's are now in service. One Kirk'd, the other lost.

Considering the VAK, awaiting further planning and investigation.

(not sure if it'll work with all my gear)

 

[Bob Gervais]

Good deal Larry! Also, given that the Mad Scientist also has the fastest 1/4 mile n/a V8 SHO, I would say that the VAK has something to do with it. Seems like Paul has pretty much the same power adders of the rest of the crowd, so the VAK has to have something to do with the 1/4 mile time.

I gotta get a few things out of the way, and then I'm planning on getting one for the 89. I agree, this is a much better, more reliable alternative to the UDP's. thumbs_u

 

[Mike Kopstain]

What's this VAK thing you all speak of?

 

[Wess]

Is the VAK difficult to install?

 

[SHOWHAT9]

Is the VAK difficult to install?

To quote it's inventor, no, just a little time consuming. thumbs_u

<small>[ February 25, 2003, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: SHOWHAT9 ]</small>

 

[SHOWHAT9]

What's this VAK thing you all speak of?

shrug shrug shrug thumbs_u

 

[SHOWHAT9]

not sure if it'll work with all my gear

Well it may dim the video display on your DVD player, but that would be good news - means it's doing it's job. thumbs_u

 

[Dave97SHO]

SHOWHAT9:

not sure if it'll work with all my gear

Well it may dim the video display on your DVD player, but that would be good news - means it's doing it's job. thumbs_u

Yeah but what about those two 600 watt amps back there? And the 83 lights, and the ....etc ad nauseum LOL

 

[Mike Kopstain]

Dave, if you got a VAK, a deep discharge battery, and perhaps a couple capacitors (If you don't already have some with the system) would be a must.

Otherwise, just turn all the gadgetry off when you want to go nuts.

Nice mods. You should talk to Best Buy about setting your car up as a franchise. thumbs_u

<small>[ February 25, 2003, 05:32 PM: Message edited by: Mikeys_Taurus ]</small>

 

[SHOWHAT9]

Nice mods. You should talk to Best Buy about setting your car up as a franchise.

OMG you mean to tell me that the blue and yellow sign isn't best buys on his hood?????

Also, from what I'm told, and you should definatley check with the mad scientist, it works the same on any load, Dave, when it comes to loads, I would think you would be all over
it!!!

Yeah know, your price might be a bit higher, lots o extra relays and stuff!!! frown

 

[Mike Kopstain]

It will work the same with any load, but with the audio equipment he has, he might run down a normal battery pretty quick.

The mad scientist recommends a deep discharge battery for a regular car. It would almost be a must on Dave's car.

 

[njsho38]

Umm....

But How Do You Do It??

 

[Twisted99]

Anyone willing to post a How To and parts list?
Thanks

 

[DavidT]

best bet would be to cantact Paul Nimz (SHOZ123). He still has parts to make the VAK IIRC. He sells the unit for ~$125. Not sure if he would be willing to publicize his secret recipe
I bought one from him several months ago. It is a pretty easy install. Definite gains at the track. (a tenth in the 1/8, and a 1.5 mph higher trap)

 

[Twisted99]

I have approached Paul...with no luck.

 

[Wess]

I have approached Paul...with no luck.

Just curious... what do you mean no luck? Did he not respond, or did he say he doesn't make them anymore?

 

[Twisted99]

Said he does not make them anymore. I asked if he had a parts list and or instructions and he said no. Maybe he is tired of messin' with it. Not sure. Maybe someone who had or has one could help us out.

 

[Wess]

I was always under the impression that one of the Vendors carried the VAK. I guess folks were buying them direct from Paul all the time?

 

[Mr. SHO]

No vendors carry the VAK. They were hand-made by Paul and he did distribute some of them through Midwest SHO for a brief time (years ago), but I think he got tired of the extra attention and redundant emails asking for help w/ installation and whatnot. Plus, people were failing to heed his advice (i.e. they were using a normal starting battery or Optima red top instead of the recommended deep-cycle battery) and this resulted in problems down the road. You can lead them to water, but you can't make 'em drink...

There are a few select parts that make up the VAK that are not readily available through standard electronics suppliers, and they had to be special-ordered to make the VAKs. I don't know whether these parts are even still available--that's something for which Paul would be the authority.

So bottom line, as always, is ask Paul. I suspect that he may make some more, some day, for some people. But if it were me, I'd need a nice profit to overcome the nuisance of people installing them wrong and then whining about it. It's a very easy install, but you'd be surprised how many corners people try to cut. And considering many SHO-owners have pre-existing problems with their electrical system, installing the VAK is sometimes asking for trouble.

FWIW, I like mine and it's been installed and working fine for two years.