Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Done Searching, Ditch The Grid Heater Or What

[proflow]

I'll be pulling off my intake & exhaust soon to do some cutting , or hogging out as you will. My climate never goes below 20f & if it did I could plug in. So does the heater grate stay or go ? Looks to me like a major restriction, could be wrong,but. Tell me guys, thanks in advance---Proflow

 

[Skydiver]

Dump it. Just be careful when cold starting around smoke sensitive folks.



Every body has a cell phone and they want to be a hero. That means when they see smoke they will call 911. We do not need smoke attention.

Mine will crank at 19 degrees cold soaked, but it ain't pretty.

 

[CanadianCarGuy]

My 24 valve definately smokes a bit during a cold weather start without the heater grid installed. But I think the flow benefits are there, I picked 1/10 in the quarter according to my G-Tech pro just with this mod. But I have twins with small injectors, so it probably made a bigger difference on my truck than one with a stock turbo or twins with appropriate sized injectors.

 

[Joe Mc]

Buddy of mine removed his grid and installed a spacer he bought (forget from where) he said the throttle is a little more responsive but didn't notice anything on the dyno. As far as I know he took it out in late summer and hasn't put it back in yet. It's gotten pretty cold around here over the last few months too.

 

[proflow]

Thats also what I was wondering about, will I need a spacer ? thanks for the replies ---Proflow

 

[johncameron]

I've started my truck without waiting for the WTS light in the low teens. It fires up but doesn't like it! I think powerbypoole has spacers.

John

 

[proflow]

So is a spacer mandatory or not ? Ive got hardware ,lathe,etc. But nothing to cut a billet spacer if needed. thanks all ---Proflow

 

[aircop]

I know someone who changed his out while doing some dyno testing on his 2nd gen. Said there was absolutely no change in power.

 

[Graphic man]

i have one in my truck... . i didn't see anything either

 

[proflow]

Looks like I'll keep it if theres really no gain. Thanks for the input---Proflow

 

[Forrest Nearing]

pulled mine... no difference.

 

[MStrain]

Definetely do a spacer, I have the one from Glacier Diesel, GDP, really cool billet aluminum, and only cost like 60 or 70 bucks, without it I think your plumbing wont line up right. I took out the grid heater wiring all the way back to its relay, set a code, but I cleared it with my brothers smarty and it hasn't come back.

 

[mhenon]

I've been living without the grids from day one. Once you get into the teens the engine really protests. With the truck plugged in it starts at any temp real nice.

Mike

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Looks to me like a major restriction, could be wrong,but. Tell me guys, thanks in advance---Proflow

Sure would be if the trucks we have were NATURALLY ASPIRATED. The entire intake tract is under positive pressure under throttle. Under pressure STOCK is up to 20 PSI or 1. 5 BAR or one and a half times atmosphere. Guys with mods like Mach 8's and twins or anything in the high 600-700 range may (And the term is loose MAY) yank em to eek out a lil better flow but still have not shown any "feels like it did something" kind of performance gain.



Plus once deleted the ECM will look for a complete circuit and if not found it will throw a CEL.