Well, since I got the new Quadzilla Xzillaraider chip, I had to open up the airway and let the Cummins breath, so I decided to get an aftermarket air intake. After lengthy research I decided to go with the Scotty' Air Ram III, because it offered the best filtration AND air flow increase.

Got my package from DPP last night. Upon opening it up, I must say that I was some what shocked by the packaging (or should I say, lack of packaging) for the Air Ram. Quite frankly there was none!! All of the pieces where wrapped in newspaper and stuffed in the shipping box. The only thing that came close to a retail package was the air filter, which was sealed in 2 plastic bags.

Here are my initial thoughts on the air filter itself

1. I was dissapointed in the construction fit/finish of the plastic shround that holds the air filter and connects to the turbo inlet hose. There were many burrs on edges, rough cuts on alot of pieces.

2. Poor instructions - The only instructions that came with the box were a photocopied document that looked like it was produced in Wordpad. The instructions only showed how to install the Air Ram to the vehicle. However, that is half of story. The Air Ram does not come assembled from the factory. It is sent in pieces and you have to assemble it yourself. Now you may think that should be easy, but infact it is not intuitive of how this thing should go together. (More details on this below)

3. Uni air filter is a monster of a filter. I was quite happy with the size and construction of the filter. Seeing it first hand, makes me believe that these other cotton gauze type filter can't even touch this thing. It's much bigger than the K&N filter that my brother in law put in his Ford F250. The filter came pre-oiled from the factory, which was nice because I didn't have to mess with that.

4. What's wrong with fastening devices to keep thei pieces of the air filter together? What I am referring to is that there are two pieces that just sit together, and don't fasten. The first is a cone shaped piece of plastic with two legs. I think (just guessing because no instructions said where to put it) it is designed to go in the front of the filter to force air around the sides. However, this piece just lays inside the main filter housing. Nothing holds it down. Second, there is a big plastic O ring that is attatched to the filter and seals off the filter housing. It is designed to fit over the end of the housing. After sliding it on the end, I expected it to at least snap on to the filter housing, but it did nothing. On good bump could cause the filter to get exposed.

5. No mounts to the truck. The Scotty air filter does not physically screw down to anything inside the engine bay. It literally just rests in there with nothing holding it down. This migh be okay if the filter components themself were secured together, but one big bump could have the filter and individual componets shifted all around.

While I initially had high hopes for the Scotty, after hearing such great reviews on here, I am now somewhat disappointed. This filter has the potential to be the best one out there, but is not quite up to par. Despite the above criticisms, I will keep the Air Ram because of its excellent filtration and airflow characterists. I'm not going to jeapardize my engine just because another companies air filter has a better housing.

Okay, for those of you that own the Scotty's I've got some questions for you. I still don't know if I've got this dang thing installed right. My package came with the main filter housing, the UNI filter, a turbo coupler tube that attaches the filter to the turbo inlet hose, a plastic O-Ring end cap, and a cone shaped piece of plastic.

The cone shaped 2 legged plastic thing really threw me at first. I just couldn't make sense of where it went. I finally gave up and did some research on here and saw that it is meant to go towards the front opening. However, this piece of plastic doesn't fit well inside the houseing, so I had to lay it in at an angle, with the 2 legs angled to the rear, resting on the two little stobs sticking up on the bottom.

Next is attaching the filter to the coupler tube. My inital thought was that the O-Ring encap fit over the rubber end of the Uni filter. Then you put on the hose clamp and last, slide the turbo coupler tube into the rubber opening of the filter. Then tighten the hose clamp. Once this was assembled, you could slide the filter inside the filter housing and install in truck.

Well, my experience didn't prove out so easily. I first tried to get the plastic O-Ring endcap around the rubber tube sticking out the end of the filter. It didn't want to go, but after some forcing I was able to get the O-ring over the end of the filter. However, if I did this, I couldn't insert the turbo coupler tube into the filter. The plastic O-Ring endcap had restricted the rubber opening, which prevented the turbo coupler tube from going into the filter. Messing with this for about 30 minutes I gave up and decided that this wasn't the proper way to do it.

The configuration I settled on was to slide the hose clamp on the rubber tube coming out of the filter. Next, I slide the plastic O-Ring onto the end of the filter. After that I slide the turbo connector tube inside the rubber tube of the air filter. There was a small opening between the plastic O-Ring endcap and the filter so that I could get a screw driver in there to tighten the hose clamp around the turbo connector tube.

Once I got it assembled this way, installing onto the truck was a piece of cake. I still don't know if it is right. I hope this makes sense. I'll work on getting some pictures taken.

 

Here's a picture of the way I have the air ram. As you can see, I have the plastic endcap OVER the hose clamp that attatches to the filter. I would have logically thought that the hose clamp would have attached to the filter on the outside of the o-ring end cap. As you can see the endcap is somewhat angled because it can't fit flush with the edge of the filter due to the hose clamp on the inside.

 

From what I am gathering here you did not get the assembly instructions. They are supposed to be with each kit. The reason for not shipping assembled is two part.
1] The housing is manufactured in Canada and the filter is manufactured in the USA.
2] Shipping the units assembled would mean unpacking the filter from its two sealed bags and run the risk of getting contaminants inside the filter.

As for the rough edges on the air unit, please if possible take some pictures of it for me and email them.

My email is info@scottyairsystems.com

All the units are personally inspected by me. I can only speculate that the unit was damaged somehow in shipping. I stand behind my product and will resolve this the best way.

As for the packaging...I elected to use newspaper as a resourceful way to recycle and to save on the high costs of packaging that most likely ends up in the garbage. I will continue to do this.

In regards to the comment about it not being safely secured...the air units have been run in Baja...on EXTREMEMLY rough conditions and no problems where encountered. thats 500 miles or more each time on terrain many of our trucks will never see.

I did try attaching these air units to the radiator support and the end result was cracked housings from vibration. I again kept it simple and stayed with what was working and still is.

I am posting this on a public forum as you did in order to show my concern and to make sure we get your issues resolved or at least understood.

I ask that you email me at the above email address and I will email you the assembly instructions that I sent to DPP of a clear air unit to show how it goes together. I recall Dave mentioning to me at one time how the idea of a clear unit in the assembly was a good idea for much better visual of how it goes together.

Thanks

Scotty

On Edit
While I was typing I see you posted a picture. I do not see anything wrong in that picture. It appears to be properly attached. Do you have pictures of these rough edges and finish?

 

Scotty, first let me say that your personal involvement in these forums was one of the major reasons I bought your product. I even said this in a previous thread

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=63162

6th post down. I am djp9747, but had to create a new account for account problems I was having

Now, back to the filter. The rough edges I referenced were around the front inlet area. I cleaned them up myself. Sorry, I didn't take pictures at the time. The above picture was taken soon after I posted.

The main filter housing, o-ring end cap, and cone thingy had a nice polished black finish. However the turbo coupler tube (not sure what to call it) had a rough sanded appearance (different type plastic ?) In the picture you cannot tell because there is a layer of oil around it, which makes it appear shiny, when in fact it was a matt, dull finish. It was also quite dusty when I got it.

Additionally, on the turbo coupler tube, on one side there is a bump (not sure what its for). On my kit, this bump had a cirle gouge in it about 1/4" wide, 1/8" deep. Appearance wise it looks as though someone started to drill, but stopped.

These items I mention, in NO WAY affect the performance of the product.

As far as the newspaper wrapping, I simply stated that I was shocked that it came that way. Again, its a moot point, but it does contribute to the initial impression of the product. For someone who just spent $270 I wasn't expecting newspaper wrapping. My brother in law spent $250 for a K&N air intake and it came in a more more professionally packaged box.

I can get over the fact that the filter housing doesn't fasten down to anything in the engine compartment, but I do not feel comfortable that the internal pieces themselve don't fasten together. I do wish that the plastic endcap fastened more securely to the filter housing, either via some sort of snap mechanism or attachment lever. Also, I would prefer that the cone shaped/2 legged piece fit more snugly inside the filter housing rather than just lay in there freely.

Please don't interpret my post as a slam of your product. It is merely a candid initial impression of recieving and installing the product. My intent was to get feedback from others who have installed your product.

Having said all this, I will repeat what I said in the initial post. This product has the potential to be the best out there. In my opinion, the documentation is lacking. There definately needs to be instructions that show how to put together the air filter itselft. I whole heartedly endorse your suggestion of a picture of a a clear plastic, fully assembled unit. That would have been very helpfull. Better yet, a diagram would be the best. If this documentation already exists, then I did not receive it. The only documentation I received assumed that the air filter was already assembled, and showed you how to install the assembled air filter into the truck. Second, I know you say the filter assembly is proven in the Baja, but from my perspective it is hard for me to see that. I can't see how that cone shaped piece that fits in the front of the filter would stay put, when nothing holds it down. It freely sits in there. Also, nothing physically attaches the air filter to the air filter housing. Sure, there is that endcap around the air filter that slides over the end of the air filter housing. However, it doesn't physically secure to the air filter housing, it merely just rests on it. I would like it to at least snap on to something and give me the impression that it is going to stay. If these two issues are address, I think you take a big step forward in positioning your product as one of the premier air intakes for Dodge CTD trucks.

Take my post for what it is, constructive criticism from one of your purchasers. Other manufacturers should take note of how you are taking interest in my meager opinions. How many times have people came on here an griped about Edge not having anything for the 305, but have you once seen Edge reply to a post. I see you posting/reply to threads, and I see Quad posting/replying to threads. You have seen where I have taken my business.

 

Im a fan of constructive critcism and always have been. No one guy or even team of guys has "ALL" the answers and listening to others can oftentimes move one forward.

BBD is being constructive, IMO only of course.

I welcome complaints and critical comments on anything I do, even if it is not truck related. I might not change things to suit them, but everyone has a point of view that needs to be considered.

Oh and K&N has great looking packaging, but we have learned that the filter itself can have issues on quality control.

Was there anyhting good to read on the Canadian newspaper? LOL


DoN~

 

Don, I've seen some of the constructive criticism you take. Calling it "constructive" is marginal at best. Many times I've seen it come out as all out attacks against you (when you gonna have your injectors ready for the 3rd gens, there's no way your injectors help make 600 hp on a 3rd gen, blah blah blah). Sometimes I swear that people just wait for you to post so that they can jump on you

 

I know Man. Read the signature. I live by that.

Watching Scotty get criticised a bit is fun too Constructive or not, it is dang funny and makes me feel better


Now if the cat hunting law would pass in Wisconsin my world would be perfect.

I told the wife tonight I might have found my calling...hunting cats in the wilds of Wisconsin for the betterment and safety of mankind!

Don~

 

I don't know if I'd want to criticize scotty to much. He might come down there and flip your truck over. I know scotty and he's a good guy and I guarantee that he'll make it right with you.

 

That No Neck aint coming back to Texas.

Besides, my truck is a very heavy dually with ranch-hands front and back. He better pack a lunch if he is gonna flip that thing over.

Your right Blue, Scotty will take care of whoever and whatever.

We actually ran a Ram Air 3 on a 3rd gen and had great results in performance.

Don~

 

BBD I'm really surprised to see this post. I had the scotty3 together in about a minute without even looking at any instructions. Maybe there's just something you're missing, but get with Scotty and I'm sure he can get you straight. I love my scotty 3. FWIW I have the older style Scotty 3 with the AFE gauze type filter in it - not the UNI - and I still get silicon ratings of 5 over 10,000 mile intervals...

 

Thats a good point. I'm just a little guy...but not as puney and skrawny as Don.
Don and I correspond from time to time and although we get business done, we also encounter pressures which for the most part fuel our desires to get good product out there.

How come when I order a turbo worth ten times the price of my air intake I get it wrapped in brown paper in a cardboard box like my air unit? Why when I order a set of injectors it comes in a plain white box with the injectors in baggies and no instructions?
That goes for exhaust systems too. They usually show up with the box ripped apart and tire marks on them.

Sorry, got off track. As I put in an email to BBD, I prefer to work on function rather then appearance of the packaging. Many times I get suggestions on what should be done or changed. Sometimes the cost factor to make those changes is worth it.

Good thing the air filter was sealed on arrival to avoid the dust reported in the box.

Bad thing the assembly instructions did not get there. They have been emailed.

Another point I would like to make is I posted a reply late in the evening for BBD, you don't see many folks doing that anymore. I do need to make my time work better. However, I still feel that a customer with good or not so good experiences should be treated the same and addressed wherever possible.

Scotty

 

Hasn't changed my decision Scotty, I'm ordering one as soon as I get the funding.

 

It really goes together in a snap. Mounts secure (it shoves an inch or so into the fender inlet...secures the housing fine). Works well (i noticed a small EGT drop from my AFE PG7). Costs less. Easiest to clean. Can say enough good about it!

I really like the fact that the entire filter is not exposed....

 

I really like the fact that it draws COLD air from two locations, and doesn't draw in warm engine air like a bhaf or other intake.