Preferred Air Intake? - Diesel Forum

DavidH11 · 11-09-2009, 07:15 AM

Not a very technical question, but what open air intake should I go with? My truck is an 01 F250 with 179k miles with a superchip and 4" exhaust. I need to let the truck breathe but don't know one air intake from another. I've heard good stuff about AFE and bad stuff about K&N.

**woodnthings8** · 11-09-2009, 08:29 AM

Probably one of the best intakes for a semi-stock truck (no huge turbo or injector upgrades) is the Motorcraft AIS Intake system. It is a drop in kit that was made for more airflow without sacrificing filtration. Kit runs about $200 so not too bad. It will be pretty much the best deal for you. I put a S&B intake kit in mine because it looked more like a factory kit will a cleanable filter. Many people like the AIS so you wont be disapointed.

jakebeefsteak · 11-09-2009, 10:52 AM

I run an AFE with the zoo-dad mod and am happy with the setup. Some guys run a DIY Fabricated intake tube with a huge napa paper element. I sure someone running this type will chime in.

scrmn6guns · 11-09-2009, 04:13 PM

I dont want to start a argument but I have ran the stock filter, the AIS filter and the AFE filter. The AIS filter is the best filter (as far as cleaning air and has HUGE intervals between replacements) but does nothing for preformance. The AFE well breath better but it does not filter as good as the AIS. So my 2 cents worth is.... If your running on paved roads then use AFE..... if your running on dirt roads 70%-90% then I would use the AIS and forget about horsepower gains.

TPford · 11-09-2009, 04:19 PM

I tossed around that same idea for quite a while. I just installed the AIS in my truck just last weekend. Very easy install. I'm not a BIG power guy, just wanting a smoother more efficent truck to last a long time. I just turned 137k miles on mine.

blue1ton · 11-09-2009, 06:59 PM

I installed the AIS last year on my 2002 F350. I have noticed my milage has improved a little, turbo whistles a little louder with the help of the MBRP Exhaust. Two thumbs up.

catch&release · 11-09-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TPford

I just installed the AIS in my truck just last weekend. Very easy install. I'm not a BIG power guy

Ya, I just wanted a better filtration system than the stock setup, so I put in the AIS. One thing I have noticed since putting it in is that I get a real nice cloud of black smoke when I really get on it. I never got that before the AIS.

4diesel · 11-09-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catch&release

Ya, I just wanted a better filtration system than the stock setup, so I put in the AIS. One thing I have noticed since putting it in is that I get a real nice cloud of black smoke when I really get on it. I never got that before the AIS.

Black smoke always = inefficient operation of the engine. Thought I would put in there for you - more so since the OP seems to want an efficient clean burning engine.

I run a diy tymar... and still get some smoke off and on but nothing very visible unless it is dark out and headlights shine from behind the truck.

fxdwgi · 11-10-2009, 08:20 AM

AIS is the way to go.

I trimmed the intake snorkle a little and did the Zoodad mod and have a hard time getting above 1200F. The restriction monitor is built in to the AIS system and it does move a LITTLE bit, but I would imagine that any filter setup out there has some restriction.

catch&release · 11-10-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4diesel

Black smoke always = inefficient operation of the engine.

So by inefficient do you mean too much fuel entering when you really mash the go pedal? Everybody I know with a chip in these trucks leave a similar cloud when mashing it.

**DSTRBD** · 11-10-2009, 02:48 PM

My favorite by far is the S&B intake. It is a full system with a new airbox and battery tray. The flow and filtration numbers are some of the best on the market as well. Here is a link with more info and a pic.

S&B 99-03 7.3L

DavidH11 · 11-11-2009, 07:44 AM

Thanks for all the info. I'm gonna take a look at the different ones and decide then. I want to improve performance and get good filtration as well. Filtration is more important to me because this thing isn't sled pulling or anything. Even though enclosed, does the AIS still breathe better than the factory set up?

JimTJr · 11-11-2009, 08:55 AM

DIY intake with the Napa 6637. It works plenty good, breathes fantastic, provides all the air you'll need. And MUCH MUCH cheaper price than the other "NAME BRAND" systems. I have other things I could spend the extra 300.00 bucks on. (Now unless you live on a gravel road, or drive in a VERY harsh environment. Then I would stay completely away from an open element. And do the Ford Severe duty system.)

jerome b. · 11-11-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidH11

Not a very technical question, but what open air intake should I go with? My truck is an 01 F250 with 179k miles with a superchip and 4" exhaust. I need to let the truck breathe but don't know one air intake from another. I've heard good stuff about AFE and bad stuff about K&N.

I have the diy Tymar type using the NAPA filter element. During the re-assembly of my truck after installing turbo seals, the tabs broke on the stock housing. This was the cheapest and quickest method of getting the truck back on the road. It was my intention to install the AIS system eventually, but this one is serving its purpose quite well. The intake does sound somewhat like a Hoover vacuum under load pulling my 12000 lb trailer. I run a "tow mode" chip and Walker BTM. Otherwise, stock.

**SmokeyWren** · 11-11-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catch&release

So by inefficient do you mean too much fuel entering when you really mash the go pedal? Everybody I know with a chip in these trucks leave a similar cloud when mashing it.

Yep, because you don't know anybody that spent enough money to match the tune (which pumps the fuel) with the intake/turbo/intercooler systems that provide the air for combustion when you have pedal to the metal. If you see black smoke, that means the tune is causing the HPOP/injectors/fuel pump/timing to produce more fuel than the available air in the combustion chamber can match to result in complete combustion.

The tuning gurus don't want to leave any horses in the barn, so they usually provide more fuel than the available air. That way they get all the available horses hooked up to maximize power, but the result is usually black smoke under some conditions. The alternative is to leave a few horses in the barn so you wouldn't have any black smoke, but then you wouldn't have quite as much power, either.

The Ford engineers spent a bunch of time and effort fine-tuning your stock engine so it would produce decent power without blowing smoke. If you start messing with your fine-tuned engine, then you probably ain't smart enough to add more fuel with a different tune, and match the extra fuel with the right amount of air to result in complete combustion. So the result is incomplete combustion, which means black smoke, which means wasted fuel from an inefficient engine.

I've attended a few tractor pulls. One was indoors. It's amasing how much black smoke the best engines spewed out. If those tractor builders and engine tuners could figure out a way to add enough air for complete combustion, those tractors should have a lot more power. But it's easier just to add more fuel and not worry about the wasted fuel. But at least they don't leave any horses in the barn.