Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/173151
PRODUCT SHOWCASE dB POWERCORE dB Performance's gas-engine cold-air intakes feature PowerCore Filtration Technology by Donaldson. Intakes are engineered specifically for the application and contain a silicone connector that provides flexibility in the system while maintaining strength and thermal stability. The dB Performance Air Intakes by Corsa are a great performance companion to dB Performance Exhaust systems. www.dbexhaust.com/intakes; (800) 486-0999 The filter box and the air-intake tube are where the biggest design changes occur in aftermarket intake systems. Air intake systems are easy to design and easy to produce. WHAT TO GAIN When you upgrade the stock air intake with an aftermarket version there are going to be changes. The engine is going to make more power because it's flowing more air, and, hopefully, that air is cooler (denser) that it was factory. Not all cold-air intakes systems are designed equally, so some are better at the task than others. You just have to shop carefully and read the dyno charts and not just the ad hype. Whether or not you can feel that new-found power in the seat of your pants and how much it shows on a dyno depends on the truck, the engine type, and the design of the cold-air intake kit. Realistically, today's pickup engines typically gain anywhere from about 3 to 8 percent (10 to 15hp for gas, 10 to 30hp for diesel), and that power is almost always in the upper rpm range. There's also an equivalent gain in torque (20 to 55 foot-pounds), which is what you actually feel when your truck is accelerating. Fuel-economy gains? Well, that's entirely dependent on your right foot. In theory, fuel economy should mirror the power gains. But in real life around a jobsite or in town, gains in fuel mileage SUPER DUTY HIGH-FLO The K&N High-Flow Intake System for the 2011-13 Ford Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke adds 12hp over the stock intake. It replaces the stock air box, air filter and intake tube with an all-new intake design that draws air through a K&N High-Flow Air Filter. Filter carries K&N million-mile limited warranty. www.knfilters.com; (800) 858-3333 S&B DURAMAX Cold-air intake's main goal is to improve air-flow to the engine. Here's how Banks design does that while improving filtration efficiency. are very rarely the case. Where you will typically see a fuel economy bump is cruising down the open road. When you do see an mpg gain, smile because the cold-air intake is working magically. OTHER GAINS Another gain that's almost always noticeable might not be as welcome to some. It's a slight increase in cabin noise. You'll hear the intake on acceleration. You'll hear the throttle open and close. You'll hear the turbo spool up and down. That's what to expect when airflow is increased 40- to 50-percent more than stock. Is that an issue? Not normally. The noise increase inside the cab is typically just a couple of decibels; audible but not annoying to most. And when you are S&B Filters kit for the 2012-newer 6.6L Duramax fit perfectly with GM's new design for the LML's induction tube with its second MAF sensor that allows the engine to meet factory parameters without sacrificing airflow. Kit uses S&B's eight-ply cleanable cotton filter and maintains a 41.8-percent increase in airflow over the stock intake. www.sbfilters.com; (800) 358-2639 AIRAID GM MXP Airaid Filter Company's MXP Series Intake System, which fits the 6.6L Duramax, includes a massive one-piece airbox and intake tube. Kit adds 19hp and 34 foot-pounds of torque in the middle of the rpm curve. Its 1700cfm washable and reusable Premium Air Filter is available with either SynthaFlow composite or our newest SynthaMax Non-Oiled filtration technology. "No-hassle" warranty. www.airaid.com; (800) 498-6951 BANKS RAM-AIR Banks Ram-Air cold-air intake for the 6.7L Cummins increases the flow of cool, dense air to the engine by 35 percent for greater power and fuel economy. Streamlined design and CAD flow-tested, it will not cause faults or throw codes. www.bankspower.com; (800) 601-8072 AIRAID JUNIOR F-150 owners on a tight budget can still enjoy the benefits of higher intake air-flow with the new Airaid Jr. system that replaces the most restrictive portions of the 5.0L's factory intake system: the air filter and the intake tube. Kit includes a new intake tube that eliminates restrictions caused by the factory tube and a drop-in replacement filter that flows 35-percent more than factory. www.airaid.com; (800) 498-6951 propickupmag.com PROPICKUP 29 PP1013_Cold Air Intakes.indd 29 9/5/13 11:08 AM