Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 AFE

[BILLUA]

Jeep Dude, good to question the ambiguety... That is also a very important part of my job as an airline Captain



I apologize for not making that comment clearer. Sometimes in the runon world of these threads things are taken for granted.



Now, my real world comparison of the Stage 2 with Torque Tube to stage 1 Pro Guard 7 with the Stock air tube. My truck is equipped with a Juice with Attitude, ATS exhaust manifold ( with the ports opened up a little ) and a Edge Ball Bearing Turbo.



My elevation is approximately 2400 ft ASL. The OAT's were in the high 90's. I also have a MBBP muffler (that I love).



Now, under acceleration runs with the Juice set at 1x1. I saw 50 to 100 degrees less peak egt with the STAGE 2 with Torque Tube. Same with steady state cruising as compared to the AFE Stage 1/Pro Guard 7 with stock air hose...



Now, your results most certainly will vary if your truck is not set up identical to mine and you are not running it in Las Vegas!



Cheers, Bill

 

[thejeepdude]

Thanks for the clarification, Bill! Your results seem to be about what I would expect, giving up the TT and going to PG7 with the Stage 1. You've found a compromise that works for you and that's awesome. Personally, I opted for the music (turbo noise) and went with the TT, but compromised some flow for cleaner air with the PG7. Everyone has their own level of compromise... otherwise we'd all just take the filter off!



BTW, Mark, since it wasn't the same filter and no TT you can't use Bill's Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 comparison to make a qualified rebuttal of my original post. I hope you don't tell potential customers "stage 2 is 50-100 degrees cooler than stage 1" based on that post you quoted to me. TT and PG7 might affect 50-100deg, but the intake box itself won't... either one will do a great job, but I just can't see how the Stage 2 is worth the extra dough.

 

[JPLB22]

I too am in the market for a new air cleaner.



How does the Pro-Guard 7 in a stage 1 flow compared to stock filter and box, more or less air ? I am assuming that the air is cleaner than with stock filter also.



TIA



Jeff

 

[thejeepdude]

How does the Pro-Guard 7 in a stage 1 flow compared to stock filter and box, more or less air ? I am assuming that the air is cleaner than with stock filter also.

The PG7 with stage 1 will definitely flow more air than stock. Adding the TT or CBH will get you even more, although the biggest difference with the tube will be the sound. If your truck is stock, you might not see that much of an improvement in EGTs but it should run a tad cooler and maybe spool a tad quicker off the line, although I think people experience that feeling more because of the sound. Might as well just get one and get it out of the way because you'll definitely need it once you add more fuel. You can also go the BHAF route and get just as good of results, however I chose the AFE because I think it looks better under the hood and didn't require me to fight with clearance issues. The scotty system is less $$ and does just as good of a job from what I hear, but I just prefer the more traditional style... to each their own!

 

[jjohnson1177]

I was amazed how much faster the turbo spooled up and how much more responsive my truck was with the baffles and the directional fins out of the stock intake. Somehow the turbo lost the silencer ring while I was in there. Just enough noise to hear it but not to loud. It feels real close to what my '01 with comp box and DD2s felt like on level 3. I ordered the MBPP muffler and a AFE replacement air filter which should hopfully be here next week.

 

[Byershome]

"The difference is god awful turbo whine"



Hmmm while I will agree that you can hear the turbo under a load I don't think it is all that loud. Perhaps going up a mountain with a load it might eventually grind on the nerves but I can just barely here mine. I told my wife I was going to see if I could quiet it down and she said to leave it alone... . she likes it :-laf

 

[JasonCzerak]

I was amazed how much faster the turbo spooled up and how much more responsive my truck was with the baffles and the directional fins out of the stock intake. Somehow the turbo lost the silencer ring while I was in there. Just enough noise to hear it but not to loud. It feels real close to what my '01 with comp box and DD2s felt like on level 3. I ordered the MBPP muffler and a AFE replacement air filter which should hopfully be here next week.

I left the directional fins in place. They look like they do good by keeping the air uniform as it inters the turbo with that 90degree bend there with the stock tubing. Tho, my truck may lose the silencer deal tonight

 

[HMistica]

I wish I kept the directional fins in the elbow. It's suppose to work better with the TAG III. I ripped that peice out with my plyers. But so far I'm using the Stage I along with the TAG III in my Dodge "05". I also replaced the stock intake tube with a 5. 5 inch polished aluminum tube. I didn't notice a differnce in turbo noise. Bringing in the Stage I made a difference though. Pretty soon I'm gonna get the Cool Blue Hose. I want to get the new AFE Torque Tube but the TAG only fits in the CBH so mine as well put it to use. That TAG unit was expensive. I don't think it was worth the price but you do feel a difference.

 

[Mark Craig]

thejeepdude,



Well there is some confusion for sure, we will have to get Bill to answer what exactly he has or had on his truck. The Stage I is an air box and filter, that you can add the Torque Tube to as an optional flow helper. The Stage II has its own totally different intake to turbo roto molded mandrel bent intake tube that is in no way the same or related to the Torque Tube. So we will have to wait till Bill tells us what he had for sure as he mentiones TT a couple of times when he is refferring to the Stage II system. There was for a time a common use of the Stage II monicker for the Stage I with a torque tube added to it, the Stage II I am speaking about is not that item. We'll see what Bill comes back with. I do know AFE has gotten more EGT drop with the current Stage II over the Stage I w/TT.



I will say this for a matter of fact which ever you get get the Pro Guard 7 to protect the internals of the engine from dust etc, and any of them are better than stock for flow and cooler EGT's!





Mark @ DPPI

 

[drewRoberts]

why not just strap a BHAF straight to the turbo inlet. I'm thinking about doing that with my next filter replacement, would get rid of all that extra plumbing :-laf

 

[BILLUA]

Mark, you are correct, I had the Stage 2 system confused with a torque tube. Too be clear, I had the complete stage 2 system that I sold to Nauidvr. Maybe he will post his results soon. .



jBYER I said god awful turbo whine with the stage 2 with my EDGE BALL BEARING TURBO::: Not stock turbo...



Cheers, Bill

 

[Byershome]

That would make a difference... ... ... . :-laf

 

[Mark Craig]

Billua,



Great thanks I figured that was what you meant but there was a questions etc.



Here is another member getting EGT drop and even MPG with a Stage II.



NJT

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Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: Point Pleasant, NJ USA

Posts: 231

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Stage II AFE improves MPG???



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Yep, according to the overhead I'm getting about 2 mpg better. It runs much cooler cruising on the highway (75mph) with less boost. I'm guessing a 150* drop and mabye 5 psi.



I keep track of my fuel consumption so I'll update when some hand calculated (more like spreadsheet ) numbers are available!

__________________

'04. 5 RAM 2500 SLT QUAD CAB 4x4, Laramie, 600, 6-spd, LWB, GPS, Deep Molton Red Two Tone, Line-X

16. 79 MPG over 28,255 miles since new



Mark @ DPPI

 

[nauidvr1]

Update - AFE Stage 2 installation and EGT drop.



Just arrived back in town Firday night late and the boxes from Billua (AFE Stage 2 intake system) were sitting in my kitchen. Thanks Billua - the system didn't even look used! Installed on Saturday.



Yep - this intake system is much louder than stock (turbo wine and air in rush noise). But I have not had enough time behind the wheel to determine if I like it yet. I have a 5 hour tow coming up on this Saturday, so I am sure that by the time I get done I'll either love it or hate it.



Turbo spools quicker, EGT's are down about 75-100 degrees in same ambient temps as before.



NAUIdvr1

 

[BBell]

So my question is, is there a noticeable difference going from the stock unit to the stage 1? Is it a $300 difference?



I like the turbo whine or at least I have for the first 5 days I've had the truck

 

[Mark Craig]

BBell,



Yes most customers report an EGT drop and turbo spool up faster etc. Plus the cost savings vs throw awat filters etc, just be sure to get the PG7 to keep the dirt out of the engine.



Mark @ DPPI

 

[nauidvr1]

Mark Craig,

I noticed that in several of your posts you have mentioned "be sure to get the PG7 filter to keep the dirt out of the engine". It this a problem with the stantard AFE filter?



I have the standard filter with and outwear cover. Is my engine at risk of dirt entering it? You have me a little concerned.



NAUIdvr1

 

[Mark Craig]

nauidvr1,



The testing that has been done with 4 layer filters (all brands are basically the same) does show a lot of dirt passing thru, your pre filter sock will help reduce that but I have just seen so many turbos looking like polished aluminum over the years on the tips of the blades where dirt has passed you wouldn't believe it!



Mark @ DPPI