AFE 1 or 2 in stock '06 auto that will be lightly modded?

[Mawgie]

Folks -



I have 14 k on my '06 auto, Quadcab. Power seems down slightly, which I attribute to that lovely winter blended #2 we run here in Upstate NY. Also, the stock factory air filter is looking kinda dirty. So, it's new filter time.



My mod plans for the truck are minimal: maybe a Smarty or an Edge EZ, but only to add 50 hp. No exhaust mods, no new injectors, aftermarket turbos, or anything that burly. I don't drag race or tow heavy. My idea of a good time is rolling on the power heavy from 50mph on up, when it's locked up in fourth gear.



I'd like another mile per gallon if I can get it, and am considering an AFE2 w/ PG, or the new dry filter. (At our fuel prices and my 18k miles a year, I'll save about $150 a year in fuel with just a 1mpg increase. )



My questions:



1- Should I go with Stage 1 versus Stage 2, because I am not going to add much power?



2- Which filter, PG or the new dry one? Do I need a prefilter? I don't four wheel heavy, or operate in unduly dusty environments.



3- Are the factory claims of 25 hp and 33 pounds of torque with the Stage 1/2 kits realistic in a stock truck?



4- A little more turbo whistle would be nice, but I'm not looking for the Tabernacle Choir under the hood. How does the sound profile change, if at all, in a stock truck?



5- Does the stock truck drive noticeably different on this mod alone?



5- Should I also consider doing just a drop in filter (AFE or Amsoil), given my limited mod plans?



Thanks folks. I appreciate the help.

 

[CLWilliams]

Folks -



I have 14 k on my '06 auto, Quadcab. Power seems down slightly, which I attribute to that lovely winter blended #2 we run here in Upstate NY. Also, the stock factory air filter is looking kinda dirty. So, it's new filter time.



My mod plans for the truck are minimal: maybe a Smarty or an Edge EZ, but only to add 50 hp. No exhaust mods, no new injectors, aftermarket turbos, or anything that burly. I don't drag race or tow heavy. My idea of a good time is rolling on the power heavy from 50mph on up, when it's locked up in fourth gear.



I'd like another mile per gallon if I can get it, and am considering an AFE2 w/ PG, or the new dry filter. (At our fuel prices and my 18k miles a year, I'll save about $150 a year in fuel with just a 1mpg increase. )



My questions:



1- Should I go with Stage 1 versus Stage 2, because I am not going to add much power?



2- Which filter, PG or the new dry one? Do I need a prefilter? I don't four wheel heavy, or operate in unduly dusty environments.



3- Are the factory claims of 25 hp and 33 pounds of torque with the Stage 1/2 kits realistic in a stock truck?



4- A little more turbo whistle would be nice, but I'm not looking for the Tabernacle Choir under the hood. How does the sound profile change, if at all, in a stock truck?



5- Does the stock truck drive noticeably different on this mod alone?



5- Should I also consider doing just a drop in filter (AFE or Amsoil), given my limited mod plans?



Thanks folks. I appreciate the help.

One of you tech guys help a brother out!

My personal experience has been: 1) Stage 1 is plenty and easy to go to stage 2 or cool blue hose later if you would like. 2) I went with PG7 filter but it seems that a lot of guys here are going dry. 3) Not sure, but you'll feel a little more throttle response and 4) you will hear some whistle but nothing obtrusive. 5)NO. 6)Drop in filter is cheaper, but doesn't look as cool when you pop the hood!



At least you got my $. 02 and put that with $1. 50 and you can buy a can of Coke sometimes!Oo.

 

[Bob4x4]

One thing I never see any body talk about but I see repeatedly on many trucks is that with the stage 2 you can go longer between cleanings. I wheel with a pretty big group of trucks and see many more. The stg2 has my vote.



Bob

 

[TFrazier]

I just put my Stage 2 in my 03 3500 quad cab 6-speed 2 days ago, havent had a chance to measure mileage yet as i just filled up today. when i get some numbers ill post any mileage increases. i did get the Pro-Gaurd 7 filter too. I notice a lot more tubo whistle but i think its because i took out the turbo silencer (i was going for that tabernacle choir sound). Unfortunately with how little i drive it'll be about 2 weeks before i need to fill up again but ill post numbers as soon as i do.

 

[GColeman]

I went with the AFE 2 about 18 months ago. I never noticed any mpg gain, but it looks cool and I love the sound. The only mod. that really gave an improvement in mileage was the Smarty. I picked up a consistent 1. 5 mpg hand calculated. Great performance and better mpg. Can't beat that!



Everyone has an opinion when it comes to mods. If you aren't going to go extreme with mods and you don't care about the looks, I think the AFE drop in would be the ticket. If you want some nice turbo sound, definitely go AFE State 2.

 

[DBohl]

I have the AFE stage II and PG7 filter with prefilter. I noticed a one mile per hour increase in speed at the same RPM after the change and about a half mile per gallon increase. The extra turbo sound is nice as well

 

[Mawgie]

Thanks, guys. To be frank, I feel like I am standing at the top of the slippery "Mod" slope. Add an AFE Stage 2 now, and I could end up at the bottom, up to my buns in hp, torque, expense, probably some heart and walletache, and quite possibly happier than a pig in soup.



A couple of weeks back, I was fueling at a big semi-commercial station, and a mean looking, obviously heavily modded, 3500 Dually pulled in. Laramie package, kinda dirty, with a huge job box strapped down in the open bed. Massive dual exhaust. MBRP I think.



Well, I sidled over, and the guy turned out to be awesome, and the hood was open in a flash. There she was, the AFE Stage 2. He left short shifting with just enough throttle to wake up the exhaust, and it sounded sweet.



Naturally, I have been hard at the research since... .



Thanks for all the help. Maybe just the AFE, a Smarty, a modest gauge package, and a few other tidbits to "save money on fuel in the long, long run. "



-Mawgie

 

[Seaner]

stage 2 and progaurd is the way to go! It was the first thing I bolted on my truck that did more than just "look good". Never considered mpg or how it looked under the hood, I just new that it would make my motor happier and support future mods better. I know what you mean about the "slope", but hey, it's only money right??? I also highly recommend the Magnaflow 5" turbo back duals.

 

[TFrazier]

Just filled up a few days ago and i noticed a pretty substantial increase in fuel mileage. I went from 19. 7 to 21. 3 hand calculated. I know the test was somewhat skewed because I drove like a granny for this tank to see the best i could get. still i never got that mileage without the stage 2 and pro-guard 7 filter. i'm banking on about a . 5 mpg gain in the long run.

 

[donnier]

Id take a look at Amsoil filters.

They are dry type and I believe they have a size similar to the AFE your talking about.

 

[jeffnvegas]

just got my "06" 3500 big horn quad cab 4x4 back from the shop. had a stage II installed and picked up a triple dog power pup. haven't had it dyno'd so couldn't tell you how much HP increase, but it smokes the tires easily. even puttin my foot in it on the way home i was getting 1mpg city better than before i went and dropped it off. have a higher performance setting than what i'm running, but i want to get an idea of how much egt increase i'm getting now before i try that out. will probably look at a 6"cat back next. after that who knows. maybe an exhaust manifold and a cat forward. no telling.

 

[Deerezilla]

I just put a AFE stage 2 in my truck I think it has helped I have no box or power mods just a no cat and i think I see a little bit of a difference on how it runs. I also recommend the pro guard 7 for the filter

 

[TWenske]

Where have you found the best prices to be on either the stage 1 or 2?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[Deerezilla]

LOL I got my afe stage 2 from a home town shop that don't know a rock from a dirt claud I got it for $350 and it's a proguard 7