AFE Mega Cannon Installed with Pics

[ramfan2]

Well, I installed my AFE late last week and wanted to drive it a bit before I posted some comments.



I was told it was about a 15 minute install job. I'm not much of a mechanic, so it took me about two hours, with over half of that time trying to get the P. O. S. filter minder off. I was worried it would break, but after letting some lubricant soak on it a while, it finally came off. A few guys have said they just have plugged the hole instead of trying to get it off. Not a bad idea.



The other thing I didn't like was the crummy plastic stock mounting screws that hold down the AFE bracket. One of them is stripped out and will not keep the bracket down tight. The weight of the hose and the filter, plus the other two plastic screws keep it in place. I would like to see AFE include replacement rubber grommets and screws to hold it down properly. Other than those two items, the install was pretty straight forward.



After driving it around for a few days, I'd have to say I am happy with the performance. It seems to spool up faster and with the pre filter off there is a noticeable decrease in EGT's. I pulled a hill near my house and it was about 100 to 125 below what I had with the K & N in the stock box. With the pre filter on though it's a different story. I think the EGT's are about the same, if not a little more a couple of times. It was very hot one day, and I'm not sure it was a very good test. I plan on keeping the pre filter on most of the time, but I may pull it off when towing. At least try it, and see what the difference is.



Now about the sound. If you're the type of person who is looking to quiet down your ride (adding insulation and sound dampening material) this product is not for you. The turbo whine is noticeably louder, as is the air sucking sound it makes. I personally think it gives it the "Big rig" sound, and I like it. The only thing that bothers me some is when you are getting on it, then back off the throttle quickly. You can really hear the turbo shut down and the air sounds like it's being forced back out. Has anyone else heard this?



Overall I am happy with the Mega Cannon. It sure looks nice under the hood too!



Pictures to follow.



Chris

 

[ramfan2]

Here is a picture of my AFE and my new black valve cover and painted black Banks High Air Ram. If anyone is interested, I have the stock valve cover and the stock air in take (tapped for the boost gauge) I'd sell cheap.



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Chris

 

[HillCountrykid]

That sound is probably "turbo bark". It's the compressed air going backwards through the turbo. It puts alot of strain on the turbo, but I have'nt heard of the hx-35 breaking from this. hx-40's are a differnt story.



Brian

 

[1tuffram]

Big Rig sound

I thought the Mega Cannon sounded pretty good on my 2002, that was until I removed the silencer ring. Now it is just flat out SWEEET while driving around town. Coasting up to stop lights or cruising parking lots with just enough RPM to spool the turbo always turns a few heads Now long road trips may be another story. With the silencer ring IN on a long trip to New Mexico the turbo whine was pushing my tolerance threashold after 6 hours or more. I have a feeling the silencer ring may go back in for long road trips. Good thing that only happens about once a year



So far I like the sound of the Mega Cannon with no silencer ring over the OEM airbax with Amsoil filter with no silencer ring in my '95. I will also do oil analysis on the 2002 truck and track the silicone levels to compare the Mega Cannon's and Amsoil's filter efficiencies. This will be a long-term data collection thing since I typically drive maybe 12-15K miles per year, and now have two trucks to divide that low mileage between. OOOOH... . the pain of having 2 Cummins!!!!





I also noticed the "new" sound when letting off the throttle after installing the Mega Cannon. It kind of makes a swoooshing sound, I hear this same sound on some of the local delivery rigs, etc. so I don't know if this is turbo "bark" or not. I always envisioned turbo bark as something really harsh (like a very ugly chirp or something). But since I don't know what turbo barking sounds like maybe it is that swooshing sound, I just thought it would sound like the turbo just self destructed when it happened.





PS: How tight does your filter minder fit in the Mega Cannon. Mine is not near as tight a fit as the OEM box and it's making me a little uncertain if it's sealing properly. Thinking about getting one of those plugs or putting a bead of RTV silicone around the base of the filter minder

 

[ramfan2]

1tuffram



The term "swooshing sound" nicely descibes what I'm hearing. I believe it was there with my stock box and K & N, but to a lesser degree. Since the Mega Cannon draws more air, it ( the air) has no where to go when you let up on the throttle. I'm guessing that is what we're hearing. I would like to have some other opinions though.



In regard to the Filter Minder. Mine wasn't as tight as stock either. I added a bead of silicone lubricant around it's base like you mentioned. It also seems tighter when the truck is running as opposed to not running. I'm going to keep an eye for a while.



Chris

 

[nickleinonen]

to tighten the fit of the filterminder, get a hold of a piece of heat shrink tubing. put that on and heat it up. that will add some thickness to it and make it nice and tight. . i did that to a barb fiting that i have on my filterminder location on my tahoe [i have a gauge in cab for it, too bad i couldn't find a inch of water vacuum gauge... ]

 

[chuck3]

I have the air swooshing sound when letting off too, so does my friend. I believe it is just the backpressure on the blades . MO.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Pre-Filer looks nice

Chris,



Where did you get the prefilter?

 

[LarryB]

When/if you bark your turbo, you'll know what it is immediately, no doubt about it. First time I did it I thought something blew up. WOOF, Woof,woof... .....

 

[ramfan2]

Pre filter

Bill R



I purchased the pre filter at the same time I bought the Mega Cannon. The both came, along with a filter cleaning kit, from

Mr. Bob's Distributing The pre filter is AFE's also. I think the yellow looks great, and is a nice match for some of the other yellow in the engine compartment. Now I wish I would have painted my Banks High Air Ram yellow too!



I also have had a couple of questions about where I got the Ram Air. A local RV dealer carries the Banks line of upgrades. They are willing to sell it by the piece. Some Banks dealers will not do that. They want you to buy one of their whole set ups. It wasn't cheap. $270 to be exact. I like the looks, but I'm not sure if it really does anything for the performance. I ordered the black valve cover from Cummins NW in Portland.



Chris

 

[reese]

Hey Ramfan2, how much was the mega cannon? Is it that much more noticable than the K&N? I have been switching between the K&N in the stock box(w/bottom cut out) and a BHAF. The K&N seems to move more air. At least it's louder anyway!

 

[ramfan2]

Reese...

... It is definitly louder than the K & N in the stock box. So far I like it and you can't beat the looks



I think I paid right aound $240 including the prefilter and the cleaning kit. Use the link in my above post to go to Mr. Bob's for his current price.



Good Luck!

Chris