Intake Manifold - Benefits?

[steved]

I've been on the fence about a tubular intake manifold/horn for a LONG time. Mainly because I was not sure it would add anything in my stock configuration, or now even with the SmartyJR.



Other than the WOW! factor, in the low HP configurations; is there a benefit to running a tubular intake? I know they claim mileage increases (what aftermarket product doesn't these days), but really??

 

[smitty3500]

I have been on the fence also. If you are refering too GDP and CFM type intake horns.

 

[steved]

Yeah... the one I'm looking is steel.

Its made by Pusher Intakes...

 

[JKreiss]

I don't think there's any noticeable benefit in stock form. I put one on and couldn't tell any difference. I think i remember reading on here that until you get up in numbers (hp/tq) it really doesn't do much. Honestly I wish i would have saved my money and put it elsewhere.

 

[MChrist]

Can't say I noticed any difference, but I have three 1/8" ports to hook up boost, water/meth, propane, or whatever I want. Looks cool, too. But like I've said before, if you swapped it out for the stock horn and didn't tell me, I probably couldn't tell the difference.

 

[Hammer]

I have the Wilson Thrasher manifold on my 05 CR ride and can honestly say I do not see much of a difference. As I have always said intake manifolds are a taste thing like ice cream... You pick the flavor you think you like and go for it. I know the high dollar Banks Twin Ram on my recently sold 12v only helped even out the exhaust temps front and rear it added zero in performance... ... Andy

 

[AH64ID]

I run the GDP and am very happy with it. The power/mpg gain isn't noticeable in the drivers seat, but the dyno's show that they do work.

What I saw on mine was. . (I had to look closely, but they are consistent results)

1) 2-3* cooler IAT's from improved airflow
2) Reduced smoke at low boost
3) Faster throttle response
4) I reached 30 psi of boost about 100 rpms sooner, and have more boost in the mid-rpm range.

I think they are a good mod for towing, none of the intake horn tests showed much of a gain on the top end, it was all low to mid range power. EGT's aren't really effected, at least from what I saw. But I would do it again.

Many folks who now have the spool aid state they would have done the spool aid first and kept the stock horn.

 

[MChrist]

"Spool aid"? What do you mean?

 

[AH64ID]

Rollin Smoke Diesel. 2003-2007 Dodge 5. 9L Turbo Spool Kits

 

[seafish]

I run the GDP horn and will eventually add their tunnel ram inatke manifold just because I like Richards products and customer service AND I think it is a good idea to get more ,cooler air to #6 cylinder, which seems to be a recognized design problem with the CTD.


That being said, could you please explain how cooler air to #1 and #6 aids in quicker turbo spool ?

Also, do you thibk one of these "spoolaid" kits would supplement the GDP tunnel ram manifold or be redundant ??

 

[AH64ID]

It's not the cooler air, its more air. At low boost the air to 1/6 is restricted by the design. This puts more air right into the runner, and thus into the cylinder and exhaust to spool the turbo faster.

 

[p-Bar]

It's not the cooler air, its more air. At low boost the air to 1/6 is restricted by the design. This puts more air right into the runner, and thus into the cylinder and exhaust to spool the turbo faster.

It is partially, when the owner of CFM plus looked under the hood of my truck he saw the square long heatsink and said that need to be composite better flow and cooler air that's what inspired him to create the CFM+

 

[AH64ID]

It is partially, when the owner of CFM plus looked under the hood of my truck he saw the square long heatsink and said that need to be composite better flow and cooler air that's what inspired him to create the CFM+

Yeah, but I honestly wonder how efficient it is. I only see IAT's 6-12* above ambient now when cruising, I am not sure it would make a difference, and when boosting hard your moving 600+ CFM, so the time the air spends in the horn isn't long enough to see a difference, IMHO.



It would be cool to see some highway testing, not dyno.

 

[Ross]

As someone earlier said, there seems to be a greater effect on high HP trucks. I believe this is because the intake charge dynamics are entirely different for a normally aspirated engine versus forced induction. On a typical normally aspirated gas engine (say a 454 big block chevy), the cylinders are filled by the downward stroke of the engine with the intake valve open. Cylinder filling is greatly affected by the flow dynamics and efficiency of the intake manifold or intake runner. Cam dynamics and timing have a great effect on cylinder filling on these engines as well. On a supercharged or turbocharged engine, once at boost, the air is compressed and "waiting" for the intake valve to open. This pressurized charge is much less affected by imperfections in the flow-path of the intake manifold; so long as there is sufficient volume in the intake area to maintain some degree of storage. On high HP trucks, however, there may be a greater benefit because the engine is operating at a significantly greater level than originally designed, so the stock intake system may actually be a limitation to the inordinate amount of air required to support 600 hp worth of fuel. At these levels, you will see some benefit, IMO.



I also believe that a nice smooth intake would help in cylinder filling at low boost situations. The problem is, our engines don't spend much time off boost, so the felt effect will be small and short-lived, until boost builds, then the higher flow manifold will actually show less improvement.



These are just my ramblings, based on my experience. Others may have different views...

 

[MChrist]

AH64ID, I just looked up that spool aid and it looks interesting. Do you or anybody else have any results on it that can be shared?

 

[AH64ID]

There are a couple reviews on compD and CF, i'll try to find a link.

I was thinking back to when I had my boost reference in the OEM horn and moved it to the intake manifold, the boost readings changed. I would easily hit 35-37 in the OEM horn, and in the manifold hit 33-35 in the same conditions. I think that's a good indicator of how much of a restriction the 3rd gen horn has.

 

[steved]

So I guess that $150 could be better spent elsewhere?

 

[MChrist]

I went to the other website, and read all 30 pages of info. I never realized just HOW restrictive flow was to #1 and #6 until I saw those pics!!!
This actually seems viable and easy to install. Those that have installed it claim quicker spool and less smoke, and cooler EGTs.
I may just have to do this, even though I don't seem to have any problem with spool up speed. Cooler air to 1/6 would just be good insurance.

 

[TCornish]

Cfm+

I have a cfm+, black, brand new, never installed that I will part with at a very good discount. Pm if interested

 

[DCreed]

I run the GDP horn and will eventually add their tunnel ram intake manifold AND I think it is a good idea to get more ,cooler air to #6 cylinder, which seems to be a recognized design problem with the CTD.

GDP does NOT make the Tunnel Ram, nor are they an authorized retailer.



You CAN get the REAL ones here though:

Crazy Carl's