AFE Intake...Worth A Count Or Not? - Diesel Forum

indystroker · 11-10-2009, 07:51 PM

Im buying a truck that has an AFE cold air intake installed. Ive had other Powerstroke's before, but I had DIY Tymar on them. Is the Tymar a better route to go for filtration or just leave the AFE on it? Ive heard good and bad about the re-usable filters.

Thanks

**SmokeyWren** · 11-11-2009, 10:34 AM

aFe makes two different air intake systems. The Stage 1 is so so. It's as good as a Tymar or clone, but not as good as the Ford AIS or the aFe Stage II with ProGuard7 filter media.

If your aFe is the Stage II with a ProGuard7 filter, that's about as good as it gets - if properly maintained. The Stage II with ProGuard7 filter cost over $500 street price, so I'd hang onto it unless you don't like the increased racket (NVH) from under the hood. If you prefer a quieter intake, then go for the Ford Severe Duty Air Induction System (AIS) that has a street price around $200.

indystroker · 11-11-2009, 12:09 PM

Is there a way to tell which one it is? Any visual differences between the two?

How well does the AIS flow compared to AFE or Tymar?

Thanks

**SmokeyWren** · 11-11-2009, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indystroker

Is there a way to tell which one it is? Any visual differences between the two?

I haven't used either one. I had a better (and more expensive) one than the Stage II for several years, but the airbox deteriorated and fell apart so I had to replace it recently. I went with the AIS.

Quote:

How well does the AIS flow compared to AFE or Tymar?

Flow is about the same as the Tymar with a Tymar-spec filter, but the AIS cleans the air better in really awful conditions. The AIS flows better than the aFe Stage I but not quite as good as the aFe Stage II, and it cleans the intake air better than anything else on the market. That's why DoD bought hundreds of them for use on PowerStroke trucks in the deserts of Iraq and nearby desert countries.

indystroker · 11-11-2009, 06:41 PM

I had the Baldwin filter on my other trucks. I really dont care for the intake noise with open element filters. But, if the AFE is ok for filtration and flow Ill probably just leave it on there. My truck will very rarely see gravel roads, 98% highway driving. I like the Tymar for the price, but get sick of the turbo noise. If the AIS flows sufficient air and it obviously filters good. I might switch later down the road.

Thanks