what is the element part number?

Mike, I just took the surface area, didn't count the pleats. I think it's like 12" X 9.5"

Yeah, those are the two openings the engine breathes thru

I'll see if I can find a part number on it tonight.

I gather from the foam duct surrounds, that the intended design pulls air from outside the engine compartment, I'll go on that assumption. If so, bravo, they did something right. As for this amount of intake area being restrictive, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion.

If this is to be compared to an aftermarket filter, almost all of which pull air from the heatsoaked engine compartment, then think twice. There is a huge performance value reaped by ducting in "cold" air, ESPECIALLY, a normally aspirated gasser. The colder your intake air, the less your timing will be retarded my the knock circuit. Typically, a knock sensor will sense engine knock, ping, the real term is detonation (premature pressure induced explosion) and the end result is lower power due to the auto computer timing retard. Now, some people use better grade of gas, higher octane resists detonation to a hotter cyclinder temp. We see this here in phoenix where there is no shortage of "lousy" charge air. I manufacture water injection kits just for this purpose, uses evaporative cooling concepts to lower cycl head temps, and that allows the motor the benefit of running cooler and with much less chance of detonation.

My point here, IS to suggest you think carefully before ducting the charge air with hotter engine compt air. Again, this intake aftermarket, is one of the most hyped and largely based on deception.

repeating, this post is with the assumption that the factory designed outside air to be the source for ignition. If that is not true, then there is no harm, except for the reduced filtration efficiency, JMO, any filter you have to oil, at best, is a maintenance nightmare, and at worst, nearly inneffective if maintenance is not followed. There are applications where they make sense. Baja, where a paper filter could quickly load up. They are cleaned and oiled every race.

Back to the heat soak condition. I had a Suburban that would run hot under hood. Pull up to a red light on a 110 day, and the engine compt saw 160 F quickly. Trying to pull away from that while towing was a nightmare, literally no power until we got some air running thru the cooling stack to purge the engine compartment, fans running gangbusters. That was a direct effect of temperature induced detonation killing gobs of HP.

Here

is probably the best independent study ever done on filter elements. Decide for yourself. Pay close attention to the restriction numbers, I believe the AC delco element is the stock one for your trucks. And assume 500-600 cfm is the most the 6.0 will ever see, may have to extrapolate a little. The element is probably IMO the least restrictive part in the chain. Keep it in perspective:

10 IN H20 is equal to .3 psi pressure drop. Compared to air moving at 80 mph thru a conduit, 6" H2O (.2psi P drop) of restriction (AC delco) is negligible, as are all the other filters.

This has been a revelation to the general aftermarket consumer, and a thorn to deception.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Michael,

I went and looked at the gasser. The air box is almost identical to the d-max. The only difference is that the d-max does not have those 2 holes. If you picture a square formed by connecting the corners, then removing all that plastic, that is what I have, and it is all hot air. Our elements are identical also BTW.

In my educated opinion, after spending many hours on these types of improvements, if your aftermaket AF is not pulling from outside the engine compt, you WILL lose performance, mileage, and $$. Just trying to clear the misconceptions on these things.

We'll see . I'll have G-Tech numbers, as well as actual dyno numbers, for the stock, Volant and aFe intakes coming up. The numbers don't lie

Stock intakes have their place. A performance application isn't one of them.

Good discussion, btw

okay, now that I've got the info on an independant study, I still don't think I have my original question answered. I saw other posts that Mr. Quadrasteer recommends aFe, Volant and K&N. Did you ever complete your comparison? I found that I do work in Riverside County and that aFe manufactures 6 miles from our remote location. I may stop by their office to check them out, but I just wanted to know actual knowledge from users which works better. I may just stick with K&N as they have been around awhile and I have had good experience with them in the past on previous vehicles, but I was slanted when Mr. Q suggested the aFe. What to do, what to do...
Problem also with the K&N, I haven't found the part for the FIPK for a 2005 GMC Sierra 6l. I contacted aFe and they provided me with the part number. Anyone know anything about the K&N part number?

Living in California, I need to find a way to save some gas (okay, I lie, I want more punch!).

Please, someone let me know.

Joe, I'll get this shoot-out done as soon as I can.... seems every time I go to do it, something happens


I never recommended K&N, bud..... I'm kinda anti-K&N, in fact.... Not that their bad or anything, I just think they're way over-rated and over-priced. Just my .02

Since you live so close to the aFe place, you oughta swing by and ask them for a little tour or something. Who knows... maybe they'll even cut you a deal !!!!

My comments on the aFe, at this time, are simply based on appearances, which we all know... mean squat.

BUT- sometimes, you can see where one design might be better than another. The venturi-piece included in the aFe is what WOWs me .


The dyno don't lie, tho.... we'll see !!!!

Couldn't wait. Got itchy. Found out from an old friend of mine that their off road shop carries the aFe and asked him for his price. Scored a really good deal and not have to pay for shipping (but will pay tax) and I ordered it right away. Looking forward to the performance gains. Still would like to see your test results after it is all said and done. Thanks for all of the feedback.

Joey

Joe, glad to hear you got an aFe

Did ya check it out ?? Nice stuff, ain't it How 'bout the aluminum venturi ?!!?

Let usknow what you think once you get it on. Still haven't done mine, but I'll dyno it before and after when I do...

Is there anyone willing to send me the old airbox that you won't use any more? I'll pay shipping. I have instrumentation to do some flow and air temp tests, If I can get ahold of one or 2.

I'll sell mine.... soon. Maybe a couple months ??

I'll remember ya when the time comes

Okay, installed Stage 2 aFe intake. Very, very, very pleased. I need to get it on a dyno, but the throttle response and jump out of the hole has made me very, very, very happy. Mind you, I can install in any GM truck in an hour, but I was sick and being home the second day and been sitting on the new box for almost a week, I got the itch and decided to install it. 4 hours later and changing around the couplings to the correct configuration (very dizzy at this point) I got it in. Quite embarrassing for such an easy install.

One thing I am confused on. I heard you speak of the the aluminum venturi. The one the kit came with was plastic. What's up with that? Performs well anyways.

As for my old intake, I'd be willing to sell it, but it is off of an 05 Sierra 6 liter gas engine. I saw you had the Duramax and wasn't sure if they are the same. If so, it's yours. let me know.

Joey

Yes, the gas box is different that the d-max. I need one to test against aftermarkets for flow improvements.

Again, I am looking for a donor. I am willing to pay shipping. Thanks

How are you going to be testing these, Mike ?? Got a flow bench of some sort or something ??