The Budget BOMBer - Part 1
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Eagle, Idaho. Please set your watch back 20 years when entering.
The Budget BOMBer - Part 1
I don't know about the rest of you, but, I've been fascinated by some of the clever mods some of the members have posted about. Since my truck is now sporting a brand spankin' new X-Monitor, I thought I'd try out a few of these creative and low cost BOMBs to see if we've been dazzled with brilliance or baffled with....well, you know. I'm an engineer; I just can't NOT collect data. Although dyno data is cool, as a guy who bought his truck to tow and not to race or hot rod, I wanted to get "road" data.
Today I tried out the Home Depot air box mod. If you are paying attention at all, I'm sure you've seen the $5.00 3 or 4 inch street elbow that a few folks have been putting into the bottom of the factory air box to increase flows. I did mine with a 4 inch PVC version. Do a search on this topic if you don't know what I'm talking about. The rest of the drive train is bone stock except for the gauges. The truck has 16,238 miles on the clock.
The Apparatus: The truck in my signature towing my Arctic Fox trailer. I've scaled this combo at 16,400#.
The Lab: A section of Idaho State Highway 55 known locally as Horseshoe Bend Hill. Specifically, round trip from Mile Marker 48 to the summit and back. This is a 9.2 mile one way trip with 2 6%+ climbs that start at 2,600 feet of elevation and crest at 4,242 feet.
The Procedure: Pass mile marker 48 at 60 MPH with cruise on in 6th, resetting the trip computer as I pass. I downshift to 5th twice to maintain 60 MPH, trying to do so at the same places each time. At the top, I turn around, get back to 60 MPH and reset the cruise. I let my exhaust brake do all speed control till I pass back through Mile Marker 48. Ambient temperature today for both runs was 80°F.
Results:
Before mod: Max EGT 1142°F, Max Boost 23.6 PSI, AVG MPG 11.1
After mod: Max EGT 1135°F, Max Boost 23.9 PSI, AVG MPG 11.3
Conclusion: I'm not convinced that with a sample size of 1 test, that any of these numbers are statistically significant. Having said that, they all DO go in the right direction and I only spent $5.00. I think I'll keep it for now. I should comment that it has been stated by someone who knows more about air filters than I do, that the stock paper panel filter is now potentially exposed to the elements in way that might add risk to the health of the filter.
I am contemplating some other low cost BOMBs, such as a PG7 drop in, a TAG, and a Donaldson or Nelsen muffler upgrade, just to see what they do. In fact, thanks to member RAMASAUR, the TAG should be here next week. If/when I do these mods, I'll test the combo on the same run with conditions as similar as possible and post the results. I hope others will find this interesting and helpful.
100 Proof
Today I tried out the Home Depot air box mod. If you are paying attention at all, I'm sure you've seen the $5.00 3 or 4 inch street elbow that a few folks have been putting into the bottom of the factory air box to increase flows. I did mine with a 4 inch PVC version. Do a search on this topic if you don't know what I'm talking about. The rest of the drive train is bone stock except for the gauges. The truck has 16,238 miles on the clock.
The Apparatus: The truck in my signature towing my Arctic Fox trailer. I've scaled this combo at 16,400#.
The Lab: A section of Idaho State Highway 55 known locally as Horseshoe Bend Hill. Specifically, round trip from Mile Marker 48 to the summit and back. This is a 9.2 mile one way trip with 2 6%+ climbs that start at 2,600 feet of elevation and crest at 4,242 feet.
The Procedure: Pass mile marker 48 at 60 MPH with cruise on in 6th, resetting the trip computer as I pass. I downshift to 5th twice to maintain 60 MPH, trying to do so at the same places each time. At the top, I turn around, get back to 60 MPH and reset the cruise. I let my exhaust brake do all speed control till I pass back through Mile Marker 48. Ambient temperature today for both runs was 80°F.
Results:
Before mod: Max EGT 1142°F, Max Boost 23.6 PSI, AVG MPG 11.1
After mod: Max EGT 1135°F, Max Boost 23.9 PSI, AVG MPG 11.3
Conclusion: I'm not convinced that with a sample size of 1 test, that any of these numbers are statistically significant. Having said that, they all DO go in the right direction and I only spent $5.00. I think I'll keep it for now. I should comment that it has been stated by someone who knows more about air filters than I do, that the stock paper panel filter is now potentially exposed to the elements in way that might add risk to the health of the filter.
I am contemplating some other low cost BOMBs, such as a PG7 drop in, a TAG, and a Donaldson or Nelsen muffler upgrade, just to see what they do. In fact, thanks to member RAMASAUR, the TAG should be here next week. If/when I do these mods, I'll test the combo on the same run with conditions as similar as possible and post the results. I hope others will find this interesting and helpful.
100 Proof
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,543
Likes: 4
From: Tomball, Texas
Excellent Michael!
Another reason some of us has done this mod is the filter minder. After the mod the minder doesn't pull down to 35% with a brand new air filter. And to hear the sweet sound of the turbo.
MikeyB
Another reason some of us has done this mod is the filter minder. After the mod the minder doesn't pull down to 35% with a brand new air filter. And to hear the sweet sound of the turbo.
MikeyB
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Eagle, Idaho. Please set your watch back 20 years when entering.
Originally posted by MikeyB
Another reason some of us has done this mod is the filter minder. After the mod the minder doesn't pull down to 35% with a brand new air filter. And to hear the sweet sound of the turbo.
Another reason some of us has done this mod is the filter minder. After the mod the minder doesn't pull down to 35% with a brand new air filter. And to hear the sweet sound of the turbo.
My primary motivation here is to have some fun. I am happy with the power my truck has. It pulls my trailer up every hill I have driven on so far just as fast as I want to go. Since I have received help and advice, and had the enjoyment factor of my truck multiplied many times by this (and other) forums, I thought it would be good to post the results as well to "give a little back".
100 Proof
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Boss
3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only)
49
Nov 23, 2005 04:38 PM
100 Proof
3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only)
2
May 27, 2004 09:44 PM
Maddog
Performance and Accessories 2nd gen only
11
Jan 2, 2003 09:57 PM
