Cool Blue Hose...Just like a Torque Tube, only quiet, too.

[JCleary]

I just reinstalled my AFE Magnum Force intake with the PG7 filter, but as I have stated in the past I didn't like the Torque Tube design. I'm going to have it powder coated inside and out before I use it again to prevent corrosion.



Anyway, I wanted a quicker fix, so I ordered a Cool Blue Hose manufactured by Meheen Manufacturing. It looks like a Torque Tube, but it's made of blue silicone. It has two steel rings inside to keep if from collapsing.



After taking my truck for a drive, I was surprised at how quiet this intake tube was compared to the AFE piece. You can still hear the turbo more than with the stock airbox, but it's not piercing like the AFE TT. The AFE must resonate quite a bit. I could really hear when the wastegate would actuate, and everything else the turbo would to. Now it's a good pitch whine without being too loud.



Another thing I like about it is that there's no rattle from the airbox. Before I would shut down the truck, and the airbox would vibrate against its mounts and rattle. No damage, just annoying. The new intake hose does not conduct any vibration.



Overall I think it's a pretty good piece.



If I don't get the Torque Tube powder coated, I may buy the new plastic TT... I like intake whine!

 

[SHyans]

Just an FYI -

Not to suggest you were considering it, but if you thought the AFE TT was "piercing" you don't EVER want to remove your silencer ring.

After I installed the Stg 1, TT & PG7 I really liked the enhanced turbo whine. Removing the ring GREATLY enhances the whine. But I wouldn't consider it piercing.

 

[jsimpson]

Where do you get the blue tube and what is the cost?

 

[JCleary]

I got it from Kyle at www.extremedieselperformance.net



It retails for $139 or so, but call Kyle for a price. I really like it. Now I'm waiting for my blue AFE pre-filter to match.

 

[DLeno]

the new AFE tubes are quiet. nearly the same (to me) as the stock hose. I changed out my stock hose with the stage 1 torque tube and noticed no difference. that metal tube must have really screemed, as the noise now appears to be dominated by the open filter itself.

 

[Mark Craig]

JCleary,



AFE has changed the Torque Tube about a month ago, it is now a one piece polymer Roto molded design. It comes with silicone boots and of course the clamps to tie it all together. It looks to flow better as there arent' any "joints" to deal with and the polymer tube is VERY quiet as a bonus! The blue hose has the metal rings to keep it form collapsing (don't tell me a 5. 9 doesn't suck) and they are a slight restriction and cause some turbulence too from the info folks at TDR have provided anyway.

Just an FYI that I thought you would wnat to know about! Since the design change our sales of Torque Tubes has gone waaaay up.



Mark @ DPPI

 

[JCleary]

JCleary,



AFE has changed the Torque Tube about a month ago, it is now a one piece polymer Roto molded design. It comes with silicone boots and of course the clamps to tie it all together. It looks to flow better as there arent' any "joints" to deal with and the polymer tube is VERY quiet as a bonus! The blue hose has the metal rings to keep it form collapsing (don't tell me a 5. 9 doesn't suck) and they are a slight restriction and cause some turbulence too from the info folks at TDR have provided anyway.

Just an FYI that I thought you would wnat to know about! Since the design change our sales of Torque Tubes has gone waaaay up.



Mark @ DPPI

I thought about buying a new Torque Tube, but I have already given AFE money once for a product that I feel is inferior. When I pulled off my TT and found corrosion all inside the metal pipe, I was less than happy. The white corrosion easily flaked off, meaning that some of it made its way into my turbo and engine. To solve the problem, a local powdercoating shop is cleaning and coating it inside and out for $30. I may then reinstall it, or sell it on eBay, or better yet to a fellow TDR member.



I do like the sound of the metal TT, but between the corrosion and the vibrations that were sent to the mounts for the Mag. Force intake (on shutdown and low rpm, it would rattle really loud), I thought I'd give something else a shot.



I like the Cool Blue Hose, aside from the metal rings inside. If they get wet, they'll probably corrode as well. Hopefully the AFE pre-filter will prevent water from getting in the filter.



The rings are placed in such a way I cannot see them being a restriction. They're only about 1/16" thickness. The bends and couplings keep the hose from collapsing/deforming in the spots that are not reinforced. Also, due to the hose being all silicone and flexible, it transfers no vibration to the airbox.



I'll probably try one of the new Torque Tubes one of these days when I come across the right deal.

 

[SHyans]

JCleary,



AFE has changed the Torque Tube about a month ago, it is now a one piece polymer Roto molded design. It comes with silicone boots and of course the clamps to tie it all together. It looks to flow better as there arent' any "joints" to deal with and the polymer tube is VERY quiet as a bonus! The blue hose has the metal rings to keep it form collapsing (don't tell me a 5. 9 doesn't suck) and they are a slight restriction and cause some turbulence too from the info folks at TDR have provided anyway.

Just an FYI that I thought you would wnat to know about! Since the design change our sales of Torque Tubes has gone waaaay up.



Mark @ DPPI

I'm one of the geeks that likes the sound of the metal tube, but the possibility of the corrosion that JC mentions is not good. I might be convinced to "upgrade". I just installed the metal one a few months ago that I bought from one of your competitors. Any chance of a discount toward the purchase on the new style for a new customer??

 

[jcarey]

Hopefully the AFE pre-filter will prevent water from getting in the filter.



The pre-filter won't keep water out. It's just a cloth sack that goes over the main filter to keep large crud from being embeded into its folds.

 

[JCleary]

Hopefully the AFE pre-filter will prevent water from getting in the filter.



The pre-filter won't keep water out. It's just a cloth sack that goes over the main filter to keep large crud from being embeded into its folds.

The package advertises that it keeps water out. I'm a bit sceptical, but I'll have to drive through a rainstorm and see.



They also mention it keeps particles over . 005" out, and also restricts airflow. I'm hoping the combination of polyester and the tight weave of the fabric combines to make it difficult for the surface tension of the water droplets to be broken. If that's the case, water should hit the pre-filter, bead up, and roll off.

 

[Diesel4Stan]

JCleary,

After you installed the Cool Blue hose, have you noticed any change (increase?) in your MPG?

Thx, Stan

(yes, I do need to update my profile with a sig)

 

[JVolpe]

The pre-filter does seem to keep any significant amount of water from getting directly on the filter. I have have mine on for about 8 months. I have checked the filter after going through high water and lots of mud. The pre-filter is fine enough mesh material that water will run off and not through. Seems to be worth the money to me. My . 02

 

[JCleary]

JCleary,

After you installed the Cool Blue hose, have you noticed any change (increase?) in your MPG?

Thx, Stan

(yes, I do need to update my profile with a sig)

No, I've actually seen a decrease in mileage. Same thing happened when I installed my exhaust.



Seems I can't keep my foot off the go-pedal. I love the sounds my truck makes

 

[JCleary]

The pre-filter does seem to keep any significant amount of water from getting directly on the filter. I have have mine on for about 8 months. I have checked the filter after going through high water and lots of mud. The pre-filter is fine enough mesh material that water will run off and not through. Seems to be worth the money to me. My . 02

That's good to hear. I've dropped some water on the pre-filter, and it seems to be working as advertised. It's not causing my filter-minder to be pulled down, either, even on the 100hp setting on the Xzillaraider.



The guy who originally sold me the AFE stuff didn't tell me about the pre-filter. Shortly thereafter I found that the filter would be completely soaked after a drive in heavy rain. I took off the TT and found corrosion.



I dropped the metal section off at a powder coating shop on Tuesday. It's going to be black, inside and out. I'm going to reinstall it to get a back-to-back comparison of the two intake tubes, but I'm pretty sure I'll be running the Cool Blue Hose for the most part.

 

[Mark Craig]

JCleary,



FYI, call AFE tell them what happened to your TT and I'll bet you lunch they will replace it for you! They have always been super at customer service for all of our customers on those odd occassions where we needed help.



Mark @ DPPI



P. S. You'll have to come to Nashville for the lunch but I will take buy it if they don't help you out. It's the only way I can write it off on taxes, I'm sure you understand.

 

[Mark Craig]

SHyans,



Call me Monday.



Mark @ DPPI

 

[JCleary]

JCleary,



FYI, call AFE tell them what happened to your TT and I'll bet you lunch they will replace it for you! They have always been super at customer service for all of our customers on those odd occassions where we needed help.



Mark @ DPPI



P. S. You'll have to come to Nashville for the lunch but I will take buy it if they don't help you out. It's the only way I can write it off on taxes, I'm sure you understand.

Thanks, but I tried that route. They told me that water does not affect their filter system. They told me it's ok if the filter gets wet, it's ok if the tube corrodes, and water will not displace the oil in the filter.



I'm sure I got in touch with someone in a bad mood, but I harbor no ill will. Not a big deal. I should have purchased the pre-filter anyway.



They must have realized there was a problem with it if they changed their design. Hopefully the new one will work better.



I have no recourse anyway, as I have already dropped the tube off for powdercoating. Soon I will have a gloss black (*inside* and out) Torque Tube to install.



If I'm ever in Nashville, I'll be sure to stop by

 

[Mark Craig]

JCleary,



Come on by anytime, we might get that meat and three anyway!!



Mark @ DPPI