AFE Blade Runner

[JamesHyatt]

What could I expect for torque gains on a 2004. 5 with Quzd XZT tow module and AFE drop in filter (drilled stock air box) by adding an AFE blade runner? Is it worth the cost? Any lower EGT? Towing 8-8. 5K travel trailer.

 

[LRutigliano]

JamesHyatt,



I have the AFE Bladerunner and you can feel the difference vs. stock. However, if you look in the "no engines" forum, a private company dyno'd the CFM+, ATS and AFE head to head and the AFE didn't perform as well as the ATS or CFM+. There was a substantial difference.



If I were to do it again, I would get the ATS over the CFM+ (they performed almost equal) because its cast aluminum.



The service manager at Timberline Dodge just got one on his 06' and loves it. It looks real tough also.



I had serious quality issues with the AFE Bladerunner. The first one that arrived at my house had been hand drilled and had aluminum filings inside and the blades were cast extremely poor with rough edges.



The 2nd one that arrived at my house was sent with non-plated bolts (they are supposed to be stainless). I called AFE and they sent out some new bolts and they were also non plated



I called them again and they "found" some stainless bolts and sent them to me.



I went to install it and the washers that come with bolts were one size too small. Luckily I had some stainless washers that fit in my toolbox.



I don't think AFE has any quality control. I'm not trying to start a hot topic, but my personal experience with their Bladerunner has me looking elsewhere for future products.



If you are interested in a deal on a Bladerunner, PM me and then I can get the ATS... :-laf



Good luck with your decision.

Louis

t

 

[AMcCormick]

Glad to hear it is a noticable gain, I have one on the way and am hoping everything will be in good shape. It seems this can be a touchy subject some people think they help others think they are a waste of money. I have to think that anything that helps the engine breath easier with more air is a good thing.

 

[BHolm]

What could I expect for torque gains on a 2004. 5 with Quzd XZT tow module and AFE drop in filter (drilled stock air box) by adding an AFE blade runner? Is it worth the cost? Any lower EGT? Towing 8-8. 5K travel trailer.

When I installed my CFM+ I was running a stock filter in a drilled airbox and the Quad standard box. I also have a muffler delete but I definately saw a substantial EGT drop and a huge increase in engine response. The intakes seem to really boost that low/mid response, you can feel it right away.



IMO, I would do the intake horn before the cold air intake(airbox/tube) replacement. For the same money the results are much much better replacing the intake horn.



BTW, No problems with the composite CFM+ yet. It definately retains less heat than an alum version. I think that is a good feature for intake air. It has been on the truck in HOT weather and now below zero weather as well. Can't say enough about this mod, excellent way to spend the $$.

 

[Tinman]

I will second the comments on AFE's poor quality control. I just installed a Blade Runner yesterday. I had two issues. One, the little sheet metal bracket on the belly of the horn that is for the wiring looms was the wrong threads and would not except the stock stud. Easy enough to fix, I just used a small bolt, but still poor quality. The dip stick also stuck up so high as to hit the under hood sound insulation. I flatened out the mounting bracket some and I think its OK now. I don't care if this unit flows 1 or 2 less CFMs than some others. Any of them are better than stock and I got a killer deal on this unit.

 

[p-Bar]

The reason why you don't see other companies doing these in composite is they don't have the technology to do it. So it's easier to do a sand cast that anybody can do. I would like to see how much sand you could vibrate out of one of these aluminum manifolds. The problem with the AFE is it's made in CHINA (can't see how this country has become a superpower) with the junk they produce. If you like the looks of it buy it.

 

[LRutigliano]

The AFE is casting is made in China, but the whole thing is packaged right here in the good ol' US in Southern California.



I think AFE has two issues:



- castings from China are questionable quality.



- no quality in their packaging and assembly plant. How do you put the wrong bolts or washers in a package and ship it out? Twice?? Mis threaded brackets, how does that happen?



When I called AFE, they helped and were patient with me, but they were not willing to discuss how this happened or what they have done to make sure it doesn't happen again.



Get the ATS or the CFM+. I have no experience with the CFM+, but 1 positive response from someone I know and trust with the ATS.

 

[LostTrucker]

Afe Bladerunner

I just installed one yesterday, ran into the same problems, [1] the washers were too small for the bolts. [2] bolts were not stainless. [3] bent bracket on back has 1\4'' course threads. [4] has metric threads for dipstick bracket w/no metric bolt in the package. I do like the idea that the 2 bolts go inside the manifold with the 2 pipe plugs on top on the tall side.

 

[JamesHyatt]

Thanks to all of those who has responded, I appreciate your opinions. I have searched past threads an made the decision to get the CFM+ intake. Parleys Diesel has 10% off before Jan 1st and free shipping, so for 296. ** the new intake is on its way. I would have liked to see a camparison of the GPD intake, but for a few more $ i'll take what has been proven so far. I'm looking forward to lower EGT while towing. I get plenty of quick spool up withthe quad XZT tow module.

On a separate note, I saw build up on Spike TV today with BD programmer, nitrous and propane injection. 800 + hp and 1200+ tq, still using the stock cast intake. I'm sure they'll need anew AT soon!

 

[JBonpua]

The AFE is casting is made in China, but the whole thing is packaged right here in the good ol' US in Southern California.



I think AFE has two issues:



- castings from China are questionable quality.



- no quality in their packaging and assembly plant. How do you put the wrong bolts or washers in a package and ship it out? Twice?? Mis threaded brackets, how does that happen?



When I called AFE, they helped and were patient with me, but they were not willing to discuss how this happened or what they have done to make sure it doesn't happen again.



Get the ATS or the CFM+. I have no experience with the CFM+, but 1 positive response from someone I know and trust with the ATS.

The “Made In China” is not synonymous to quality. They can’t even make plastic toys safe for young children…remember all the toy recalls recently?



I’ve had the CFM+ with three ports for about 3K miles not and no problem whatsoever. It works well the Smarty. I’m also thinking about installing a heater delete block to complement the CFM+.

 

[07dodge]

Has anyone heard anything about the banks high ram???? Or how it compairs to the cfm?

 

[p-Bar]

Has anyone heard anything about the banks high ram???? Or how it compairs to the cfm?

It scored the worst , go to CFM+ web site and look at the graph. The one in red is the Banks.



CFM+ Intake Manifold Home

 

[JDerbedrossian]

Didn't have one issue with my AFE manifold install, maybe just a bad batch or something.



Jake

 

[TruckWorkz]

A great mod...



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We did a few drag races yesterday between two Identical megacabs.

They were both 4x4, and all drivetrain was stock.



Car A had a 5" Turbo back exhaust, the AFE Pro Guard 7 but not the big one in the pic, and a Triple dog with crazy larry



Car B had a 4" turbo back exhaust going into two 5" stacks, PMT on Extreme but no crazy larry, CFM manifold, boost fooler, and the new style AFE.....



From a dead stop Car B would jump 1/2 a length out of the hole and would pull to roughly 1 1/2 car lengths by the end of say 1000 feet.

We did this in 2wd, 4 hi, and from a 10mph roll on... very race produced the same results. The Megacab with the bigger intake, and manifold was beating a megacab on Crazy LArry.

 

[JAKE 2544]

Has anyone found some good prices on the ATS or CFM+?I want to add one and also a mega cannon with pro dry filter.

 

[BHolm]

Has anyone found some good prices on the ATS or CFM+?I want to add one and also a mega cannon with pro dry filter.

So how did you get a 5. 9 with the 68re? Just wishful thinking right

 

[Regcabguy]

The “Made In China” is not synonymous to quality. They can’t even make plastic toys safe for young children…remember all the toy recalls recently?



I’ve had the CFM+ with three ports for about 3K miles not and no problem whatsoever. It works well the Smarty. I’m also thinking about installing a heater delete block to complement the CFM+.

My "Made in China" Toyo At's beat the crap out of my old USA built BFG KO's. That being said ,I hope all Toyos sold here in the future are built in the new plant in the Southeast. We certainly could use good paying manufacturing jobs here.

 

[R.Taylor]

I bought a bladerunner for my previous rig, What a POS! There was clumps of casting sand still stuck on the inside, The threads looked like someone did them by hand with a dremel tool and the edges were rough and unfinished looking. I'll never buy another AFE product again.

 

[seafish]

I too bought the AFE Bladerunner and promptly returned it when I saw the incredibly poor quality and overall roughness of the casting of the horn. I actaully posted pics of it on another TDR thread. I replaced it with the very nice intake horn from GDP. It looks almost stock in black or silver powdercoat, and is of very high quality. It has mounting tabs in the oem location for the dipstick bracket, and also has ports with plugs for sensors or whatever you want to add. It also works as a mounting location for their 2 mic fuel filter kit. They also make a grid heater delete. It is a very nice unit for a reasonable price made by knowledgable and helpful people. It also dynoed well, close to the CFM, but it is made of mandrel bent steel tube instead of plastic. I know that some people are extremely happy with their CFM, but personally I wanted to bolt steel on to my CTD, not plastic. Check it out here if you want to--

Glacier Diesel Power - Product Detail

Interestingly, they also sell the CFM and AFE intake horns--

Glacier Diesel Power - Categories

 

[Regcabguy]

I lucked out and got my Bladerunner for $249 from 4wd parts. It also had a decent interior casting,but I cleaned it up further with a Dremel and some sandpaper. AFE should have done an inspection when these Chinese gems came in. As far as performance goes,initially I could feel it,but nothing like my Smarty on the lowest setting. Looks like with emissions coming,it's going to come off due to a lack of a CARB#.