Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
First off I don't want to start a thread #@$%! AEM. Need some real information from other members first.
My questions are:
1. Do we know that the AEM Brute Force intake systems flows enough CFM at a low enough pressure drop for a Stock 3rd Gen?
2. What about a modified 3rd Gen and at what point is it not enough?
3. Is there any test data to prove these points?
First things first. I purchased the AEM Brute Force system from RPM outlet with the intention of replacing the stock airbox on a 05 six speed truck.
It would appear to be that the system was origionally designed for an 03 without the added insulation under the hood. Minor problem that just a little tweaking can fix.
I stated this fact in one of my phone conversations with AEM and they are aware of this
Why don't they fix it?
Anyway. Installed their system and took it for an intial test run and all appeared well. After putting around with it on the truck for about 20mi I opened the hood to re-tighten all of the bolts and noticed the filter minder was pulled down all the way into the red. Did some research on the forums and it seems that most came to the conclusion that it was the position of the filter minder. AEM said it was because of a Venturi effect across the opening of the orafice.
This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I believe that to pull a filter minder into the red it takes a -6" vacuum. Does the Venturi effect account for that much of a pressure drop? I know that with an AFE drop in filter it would only pull down about 1/2 way.
So after that I put the TST box back on the truck. Set it at 0tq, 0hp, boost limit at 35lbs. Essentially I just used the digital guages so that I could see exactly what was happening.
Next test drive. It seemed to me that the turbo builds boost as fast or faster up to 20 lbs. After that it took more go pedal to get the same amount of boost as the stock air box above 20lbs. Changed back to the factory air box and verified this.
Most members seem to think that the AEM flows better than stock, but some have the same complaints that I do. Whats the answer?
I've got an aftermarket intake system sitting which is just sitting in the garage because I don't feel comfortable running it. :CRY: I'd hate to ruin a turbo because its starving for air and I don't want 250 dollars just sitting around. Either this intake system is fine for the truck and I'm paranoid or AEM needs to do something to fix this.
Let the games begin.
My questions are:
1. Do we know that the AEM Brute Force intake systems flows enough CFM at a low enough pressure drop for a Stock 3rd Gen?
2. What about a modified 3rd Gen and at what point is it not enough?
3. Is there any test data to prove these points?
First things first. I purchased the AEM Brute Force system from RPM outlet with the intention of replacing the stock airbox on a 05 six speed truck.
It would appear to be that the system was origionally designed for an 03 without the added insulation under the hood. Minor problem that just a little tweaking can fix.
I stated this fact in one of my phone conversations with AEM and they are aware of this
Why don't they fix it? Anyway. Installed their system and took it for an intial test run and all appeared well. After putting around with it on the truck for about 20mi I opened the hood to re-tighten all of the bolts and noticed the filter minder was pulled down all the way into the red. Did some research on the forums and it seems that most came to the conclusion that it was the position of the filter minder. AEM said it was because of a Venturi effect across the opening of the orafice.
This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I believe that to pull a filter minder into the red it takes a -6" vacuum. Does the Venturi effect account for that much of a pressure drop? I know that with an AFE drop in filter it would only pull down about 1/2 way.
So after that I put the TST box back on the truck. Set it at 0tq, 0hp, boost limit at 35lbs. Essentially I just used the digital guages so that I could see exactly what was happening.
Next test drive. It seemed to me that the turbo builds boost as fast or faster up to 20 lbs. After that it took more go pedal to get the same amount of boost as the stock air box above 20lbs. Changed back to the factory air box and verified this.
Most members seem to think that the AEM flows better than stock, but some have the same complaints that I do. Whats the answer?
I've got an aftermarket intake system sitting which is just sitting in the garage because I don't feel comfortable running it. :CRY: I'd hate to ruin a turbo because its starving for air and I don't want 250 dollars just sitting around. Either this intake system is fine for the truck and I'm paranoid or AEM needs to do something to fix this.
Let the games begin.
