Homemade 6" Air intake, AKA the "whistler", tech write-up
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From: Surrey BC Canada (it's not that bad eh!)
From a pdf at the site:
EaA Cleaning Instructions: Every year or 25,000 miles or as required
• Carefully remove filter from the housing. Clean the housing with a shop towel being careful not to knock contaminants into the air inlet.
• Cleaning can be done by two methods:
1. Vacuum Cleaning: Place the filter on a flat surface and carefully vacuum the filter media on the dirty side where the incoming airflow
enters the filter. Be careful not to rub the filter pleats with the vacuum cleaner attachment too aggressively as this may damage the
filter. Using a vacuum with too much suction may damage the filter.
2. Shop Air Cleaning: Hold the filter with one hand and carefully blow the filter media at a 45-degree angle on the clean side of the filter
using low-pressure (15 to 20 psi) shop air. Be careful not to rub the filter pleats with the air nozzle as this may damage the filter.
Using too high of air pressure will damage the filter media.
• Reinstall the filter into the air filter housing and secure.
• Cleaning can be done by two methods:
1. Vacuum Cleaning: Place the filter on a flat surface and carefully vacuum the filter media on the dirty side where the incoming airflow
enters the filter. Be careful not to rub the filter pleats with the vacuum cleaner attachment too aggressively as this may damage the
filter. Using a vacuum with too much suction may damage the filter.
2. Shop Air Cleaning: Hold the filter with one hand and carefully blow the filter media at a 45-degree angle on the clean side of the filter
using low-pressure (15 to 20 psi) shop air. Be careful not to rub the filter pleats with the air nozzle as this may damage the filter.
Using too high of air pressure will damage the filter media.
• Reinstall the filter into the air filter housing and secure.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Utah
Lotsa people on this forum seem to have unlimited funds to spend on their trucks, ***** is a hero to those of us of more humble means, ATTA BOY *****! 
It's pretty cool he's willing to spend the time to show us all an alternative to the high (over?) priced air intakes on the market.
Looking forward to see how the 'enclosed' element works out, in the meatime I think I'm gonna order the parts as well, hope shipping to Canada is not a problem, any other northerners done this yet?
I noticed he started this thread on Christmas morning, guess this is our Christmas present!
It's pretty cool he's willing to spend the time to show us all an alternative to the high (over?) priced air intakes on the market.
Looking forward to see how the 'enclosed' element works out, in the meatime I think I'm gonna order the parts as well, hope shipping to Canada is not a problem, any other northerners done this yet?
I noticed he started this thread on Christmas morning, guess this is our Christmas present!
and Merry Christmas!
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From: Lake Arrowhead, Ca
Ok, I am still wanting to do this big time, but I am not sure that the 6" tube will clear my york air compressor. I am going to have to take pics of my current setup. I am inclined to think it will be fine, because the compressor just barely clears the stock air box, and I think this will be quite a bit smaller.
The only thing that concerns me is having to make a bracket for the filter, so it doesnt come down. I guess I can figure that out though. I have a grinder.
Scott
The only thing that concerns me is having to make a bracket for the filter, so it doesnt come down. I guess I can figure that out though. I have a grinder.
Scott
Thread Starter
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From: Utah
Ok, I am still wanting to do this big time, but I am not sure that the 6" tube will clear my york air compressor. I am going to have to take pics of my current setup. I am inclined to think it will be fine, because the compressor just barely clears the stock air box, and I think this will be quite a bit smaller.
The only thing that concerns me is having to make a bracket for the filter, so it doesnt come down. I guess I can figure that out though. I have a grinder.
Scott
The only thing that concerns me is having to make a bracket for the filter, so it doesnt come down. I guess I can figure that out though. I have a grinder.
Scott
does that make any sense???
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From: Up North, Wisconsin
I thought perhaps a strap of metal going from the fender area to the Chrome end of the filter. You could thru bolt it with a rubber grommet. Do you think the chrome would be strong enough to hold it, or is it too flimsy?
Thread Starter
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From: Utah
that could ruin your whole day!!
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From: Surrey BC Canada (it's not that bad eh!)
***** (errr, I mean Mark),
Do you think using the bigger tubes upstream of the elbow increases the airflow? Just wondering if an Amsol 4510 on the factory plumbing might work just as well. What do you think?
Do you think using the bigger tubes upstream of the elbow increases the airflow? Just wondering if an Amsol 4510 on the factory plumbing might work just as well. What do you think?
Thread Starter
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From: Utah
I have been debating on dynoing my truck just to see what my baseline is plus then I could See how much I really get from each mod....of course then I would have to/want to dyno for every mod I did after that too.
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From: The Woodlands, TX
I'm not sure anybody else would want to do this, but I have been thinking that you could modify the original air filter holder to brace the whistler setup. Basically junk the cover of the original intake and cut the base so that the cone filter sits inside it, acting as a brace/support. When I get my parts in I may have to try this. Just a thought
Thread Starter
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From: Utah
I'm not sure anybody else would want to do this, but I have been thinking that you could modify the original air filter holder to brace the whistler setup. Basically junk the cover of the original intake and cut the base so that the cone filter sits inside it, acting as a brace/support. When I get my parts in I may have to try this. Just a thought
but if you don't care about the stock box I bet you can make it work pretty easily
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Milwaukee,WI
I have 1 question,do you have to use that filter minder or is it just a novalty item at this stage? I have read that they are inaccurate to begin with.And with a set up like this it would take for ever for the filter to restrict enough for the thing to react.You did a fantastic job on this ***** and I soon will be coping you,just not sure when. Hats off to you!!! And Thanks
Thread Starter
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From: Utah
it can go ether way I made a poll about it on DTR and after that I decided it was easy to drill the hole in the tube for the minder so why not just install it....I will not be cleaning my filter when the minder goes down, I will clean it when it needs it..it's already starting to look pretty dirty
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From: Florence, MS
did yall leave the white baffle in the turbo elbow or did yall take it out. i didnt wanna break it so i left it in but if it is affecting my whistling its coming out lol. if someone is on lemme know before i lose all my lil daylight please lol
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Fellas,
I wanted to offer a bit of advice in keeping the filter from dropping and it will save you from having to make a brace. If you will look, there is a very heavy gauge brown and red wire that comes off of a solenoid looking thing by the battery.
What I did, is arrange for the rubber flange on the bottom of the filter to lay on those wires. There is no way that the filter will move forward with it laying on the heavy gauge wires and the mounted solenoid deal.
You could also arrange it so the aluminum tube lays on it if you wanted. Best of luck
I wanted to offer a bit of advice in keeping the filter from dropping and it will save you from having to make a brace. If you will look, there is a very heavy gauge brown and red wire that comes off of a solenoid looking thing by the battery.
What I did, is arrange for the rubber flange on the bottom of the filter to lay on those wires. There is no way that the filter will move forward with it laying on the heavy gauge wires and the mounted solenoid deal.
You could also arrange it so the aluminum tube lays on it if you wanted. Best of luck