Please tell me once and for all, is the AFE stage 2 intake worth getting? I am not about to throw down 420.00 for an intake if I will see little or no difference in sound and performance. Is it worth the money?

 

my opinion says keep your torque tube and toss in a BHAF, I get looks all the time, people wondering what turbine I have running in my truck, I tell em one off an a10 thunderbolt..... & some actually believe me!

Edit : with the money you save you can just about pay for one of these and really wake that truck up http://store.dieseltruckresource.com/doxzstadjmo3.html

 

I just bought an AFE stage 2 and I'm not too happy with it. If you do your own oil changes you will know why I don't like it. It is a PITA to get that thing re installed.

 

love mine. not to much a power improver but the sound you gain is by far worth the money. no problems w/ the lower boot yet but we'll see! oil changes are easy if you go from the bottom.

 

I didn't think about that. So you have to remove it to change the oil? I bet the dealer where I get mine serviced won't like that. LCH

 

i crawl under my truck to change the oil i didnt have a lick of problems on mine, just my 2 centabos

 

Graphite 600,

In no way do I wish to harm AFE's reputation but, since it's your hard earned money & YOU ASKED, I will tell you my recent experience, backed up with not-so scientific numbers.

Last week, I installed a Van Aaken C-3.2 duration box on my '03, HO, 6-sp., 3500, 4X4. I did some pre-install, stock testing, added the box then did the Tone ring Mod & finally an AFE ProGuard-7 Air Intake System w/ the metal Torque Tube. I did 40-65 mph, full acceleration runs in fifth gear & used a stop watch for the timing. Admittedly, this is not as accurate as dyno runs but, I would have gone broke paying for someone elses dyno, with all the runs that I did. And, I was just interested in the approximate differences each of these mods made.

I did three runs with the VA/3.2, Tone Ring Mod & the stock air box & "clean" filter.
I, then did three more runs with the VA/3.2, Tone Ring Mod & a "clean" AFE PG-7 with the metal Torque Tube. Two of the runs were identical to the "stock air box" runs & the third run showed an improvement of 1/10 of one second. Not a very cost effective increase, to me. In fact, I'm VERY disappointed!!!

If I had to do it over, again, I would either "swiss-cheese" the bottom of the airbox or go with Performance Systems Mfg's. fresh air intake (psmbuick.com).

If you build or buy a metal torque tube, which I believe you have already done, & remove the silencer ring, you should get pretty good turbo sound even without the aftermarket air intake systems available.

With the money left over, you can invest in a box, which, should really enhance your trucks performance.

Previous to my recent fueling & timing mods, I had the AFE PG-7/TT system installed & removed it to reinstall the stock airbox, for trips to the dealership. I noticed NO power loss from going back to the stock airbox. In fact, to my surprise, I BELIEVE, I noticed an, ever so slight, increase in performance from the stock airbox. I, certainly, did not expect that!!! In fact, I was happy with the sound & looks of the AFE product. Just surprised at it's lack of increased performance.

Again, in no way do I wish to be disrespectful to AFE & their products. I think they build a quality, well built product that seems to filter as well as advertised (according to my used oil analysis test). However, in my experience, I did not realize the performance increase that I was expecting.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

I have the Stage 2, I like it. It seems to EGT's I did the exhaust @ the same time, but I the the combo has worked well. The most cutback I see on the juice is 2% I account that to getting more in and out over the stock air box and exhaust. The thing is way loud with the ring out and the top cover off, I but them both back in.

Buffalo has good info but keep in mind its a torque tube system, the stage 2 is diffrent for the 600's its all one piece, and the 6" on the filter and the tube is diffrent than the torque tube set up.

I am no expert or claim to be one. Just giving my $.02

 

I have the stage 2 kit with proguard 7. The stage 2 kit is different. It has a metal box to help keep engine heated air from going in the intake. When I watch the intake air temp at highway speeds it is always 8 to 10 degrees higher than the ambient temps. (as long as the sensors are accurate) The factory box pulls outside air which may be better than lots of aftermarket stuff. I`m just trying to be helpful. I get to the oil filter from the bottom and its easy for me, than again I thought it was easier from the bottom when I had the stock box.

 

I too am tryin to decide on witch filter to get but with my stock air box I just pull out my inner fender well to change my oil. Its just 7 little 8mm bolts and the fenderwell just drops down on my tire out of the way.