Hello everyone! I would like feedback from the guys with 5.9 3rd Generation engines regarding the air box & intake manifold upgrade. In addition, since the grid heater is part of the line, comment on that mod also. I have been considering replacing the stock intake manifold with and AFE for better air flow. I was informed that I need to replace the stock air box first in order to get maximum results from the intake manifold replacement.

# 1: Does the stock air box need to be replaced first or at all?
# 2: Will the AFE intake manifold make a real noticeable difference?
# 3: Is the grid heater that restrictive as I have read?

Please chime in and keep it related to the questions above. Thank you and good day!

 

BUMP! Anyone have any feedback for me?

 

I would get a cold air intake, as for the intake manifold, I wouldnt really bother, unless youre making quite a bit more power, its not a restriction and wont hurt anything. I went with a 24v horn since theyre cheap, readily available, and offer a little more flow than stock. Grid heater is up to you, its not really needed in Texas, never gets cold enough in the winter.

 

Thanks Pooter! I didn't think the intake manifold would make much difference, least not noticeable anyway. If I saw some actual dyno results done by an individual without the motive to sell, I would consider it more.

Have you removed your grid heater and replaced it with one that is clear of the grids inside? I have heard people swearing by it on our engines they notice a difference in the low end.

By the way, nice name.

 

No problem!
Yeah, I deleted the grid heater with a delete from rollin smoke diesel, and doing both at the same time I didnt really notice any difference in boost, egts or performance, from the few mods I have. I noticed more when I did my 5" exhaust and cold air intake, reduced "WOT" and cruising EGTs by about 150-200*s(high end being at WOT)



Name stuck from when I had a Pewter WS6

 

I have yet to see a single independant test that shows an aftermarket air cleaner kit improves anything on a nearly stock truck.

I have heard a lot of people say exactly what Pooter said. Some mod they did decreased EGT's by 150*F. And......? What's the value of that? Does that increase HP? Torque? Mileage? I don't know.

 

I agree with you Bob. Just a lot of marketing hype and people have bought into it kind of like people bought into the whole Obama change. Yes, I am honest. The 150*F isn't going to justify the cost in my wallet. Thanks for your input!

 

The stock intake system is good for at least 450rwhp, and aftermaket CAI's will show no improvement in this realm. I have seen this on a dyno with my truck and a truck with a AFE Stage II, otherwise the same truck and tuning.

I have made 3 mods to my intake setup, and all have shown an improvment in IAT's, restriction, throttle response, and low end smoke. Some helped with all of those.

1) Airaid MIT, removes the baffles in the stock torque tube. Smooths the airflow and flows better. linky

2) GDP Intake horn. Removes the large restriction in the stock horn. Improvements were noticed. linky

3) Home Depot CAI. This keeps me from drawing the filter minder down as easily, especially after the cam install since I now move a LOT more air. linky

The grand total for those 3 mods is less than $350 and worth it. You will get much better performance than any CAI on the market, for less money. The mods really shine in the 1400-2400 rpm range, and help the turbo spool faster. I dropped about 100 rpms to get to 30psi of boost. I am down to 1950rpms for 30psi.

As for the grid heater I know a local guy who laid down 908 on a stock IC and grid heater at 4K feet elevation, so they aren't overly restrictive, but I would guess that they are the biggest restriction at low boost/flow.

 

I built all that stuff myself cuz it's the least cost effective mod and I have more time and fab skills than $$$. I bought 4" pipe and built the exh, turbo back, and my old 3.5" downpipe is now my intake elbow - in my avatar. It helps bottom end response a little and it's nice to have enough air filter so the minder doesn't move but the truck doesn't go up a hill, towing, any faster than it did before. Craig

 

I am curious. Can you guys please post some pictures if you have any? Thanks for the feedback!

 

The links I put in my post have pics, but here are a couple for this thread.

 

I can email pics if you PM me with your address. Craig

 

Had an AFE stage II and got rid of it. Really didn't feel anymore power, just alot of high pitch noise. Got a little irratating on a 3 hour drive. Best bet is a drop in filter, but even then the stock filter provides the best filtering in my opinion. The vanes on my turbo compressor were a bit dirty after using a PG7 filter from AFE, one big reason I went back to stock all though my oil analysises have always come back normal. Best bet for cheap power and mileage is a tuner.