Surprising result worth noting (Turbo Air Guide)

[rbattelle]

DP,



I don't own the TAG (yet), so I cannot provide any direct performance measurements. However, I can provide some interesting facts:



1. Radial compressors are specifically designed for an inlet flow 90 degrees to the impeller face.

2. Minimizing turbulence at the impeller face improves efficiency.

3. The improvement in efficiency with laminar flow at the impeller face reduces compressor exit temperature.

4. The "soda straw" (as I call it) honeycomb reduces turbulence, and ensures the flow is as close to 90 degrees to the compressor face as possible.



Now, I agree with you that lack of any documented real-world performance improvements may indicate that adding something like a TAG is meerly a sugar pill. This is where opinion comes into play: I think there are benefits to the TAG, but there has yet to be any comprehensive, objective experimentation to quantify those benefits.



To each his own, and I very much respect your opinion.

 

[Tom W]

I have had the TAG for about three months. It's a fact that my mileage has increased 1 to 2 mpg, Some might say something else might have caused the increase but I have been keeping track for 115K miles and I'm happy - smoother and quicker response. You just can't fool all the people all the time and you can't please some of the people anytime.



Tom

 

[Car_nut57]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

Facts! Wheres the dyno figures and the mpg figures. those TUBEs are far as I know are noise reducers or so I've been told. Not anything to do with performance. show me proof and maybe I think its more responsive. I happen TO LIKE Dave. talked to him in the past but dosen't mean I don't have doubts about TAGS or whatever they are.

The dyno runs we have on the 3rd generation are not going to impress many, especially if compared to a chip or something along those lines. Dyno gains using the TAG are more in line with an air intake or new exhaust. Basically the dyno info we have shows about a 5-6hp gain from idle to red line. The benefit of the TAG is aimed at increasing turbo efficeincy through smooth directed air flow which does not show a lot its benefits in dyno numbers.

 

[DPKetchum]

Yea ok.

 

[Briman]

5-6 hp is still 5-6 hp. And its easy to do and helps loaded mileage as well... ... Will some one loan me 100 bucks?

 

[DwayneKelch]

All,



I bought and installed the TAG a few months back. I didn't buy the TAG to gain hp/tq, I bought it to improve efficiency of the turbo.



Where I live in Colorado, the altitude definitely impacts the performance of my truck, hp, smoke (not enough air), EGTs, etc. Therefore, I was looking for something(s) to help overcome this handicap.



So, I installed the AFE megacannon. Reduced smoke and slowed EGTs a little when motoring up steep grades, with no increase in fuel mileage. However, I needed to improve on this some more.



Next, I bought the TAG and installed it. Right away I noticed a better reduction in smoke. Too, acceleration was quicker and smoother from a stop. However, the TAG didn't eliminate the flat-line effect above 2600 rpm.



Fuel mileage was a little better with the TAG. When towing this winter (avg 5,500 lbs) I have been able to maintain the same mpg (15. 2) I see during the summer. Unloaded on winter fuel (mixture of city and highway), I'm averaging a solid 19 mpg. This is better than last winter by . 5 mpg. My driving habits are pretty consistent (I'm the guy in the slow lane).



Recently, I installed a 4" exhaust, Wildcat max flow kit, and the DDTTPM ( I see the passing lane in my future now). Not sure how the TAG will play with all the performance enhancements. Will have to run a few tanks of fuel thru the truck, then remove the TAG and recalculate.



Hopefully the TAG will make my compressor more efficient, acting like a bigger compressor housing. The next install I plan are the EDM 1. 5s. So, I can use all the help I can get.



I"m satisfied with the money I spent on the TAG, for my application it works.



Will follow, with curiosity, to see if any upgrades/improvements are made to the version TAG that I have.





Dwayne

 

[Blufrog]

OK I have a question for Car_Nut. Do you know if the TAG will work with the AFE Torque Tube?



As you may know the Torque Tube does not have a silencer in it.



I would like a TAG with a Torque Tube and the AFE Pro Guard 7 intake kit. That would seam like a pretty good setup for air flow.

 

[ReevesRacing]

Good question... I plan on much the same setup. I'm gonna make my own torque tube... . $120 is too much for a piece of pipe and a rubber 90* turn.



If the TAG really works, then this should be one hell of a intake setup.

 

[LHebert]

TAG Results

I just got my new TAG from Dave today, installed it in 2 minutes, then drove it 60 miles to my job. I found that when the TAG is used in conjunction with an Edge EZ, 4" exhaust and an AFE Airbox you have a winning combination. The acceleration improved greatly, went up hills wih ease, the truck just seemed to have gained the added edge it was missing, totally satified with it and can't wait to drive it home. My 2004. 5 California 235 Laramie needs all the help it can get and your TAG gave me the boost I was looking for. Still waiting for Matt at Edge Products to release the new juice and that will put the icing on the cake.

Thanks Dave for a fine product, and I found your price to be reasonable as well.



Take Care



Lee Hebert

 

[Pawpaw]

Re: TAG Results

Originally posted by LHebert

My 2004. 5 California 235 Laramie needs all the help it can get

I thought all 2004. 5's were 325/600. What did I miss?

 

[LHebert]

Re: Re: TAG Results

Originally posted by BobHall

I thought all 2004. 5's were 325/600. What did I miss?

You didn't miss anything, I did, the new engines were sitting right next to mine and they opted to use old stock. Needless to say Bob I am still torqed, and so it goes.

 

[JARichard]

Ok Guys installed TAG and AFE on same day. I have noticed a world of difference in my little ride. This sucker moves now. As for wich item caused the improvements. I don't know. But on helicopters they have a thing called an intake plenum which straightens the air flow before hitting the compressor of the TURBINE. When i was a P licensed mechanic we did experiments with and without the plenum without the the plenum the turbine would stall and shutter. The company I worked for spent a truckload of money on instruments to test this. You would not hear the difference or see it on normal analog gauges. But hook up digital gauges and the charts without looked like a 2 year olds coloring book. This is probably one of the safest MODS you can do to your truck. Plus I talked to Dave once or twice and he knows his stuff. I am at the present time waiting to burn my first tank of fuel with the new set up. I started a spread sheet and will post the differences.

CAR_NUT do you plan on making a TAG for the torque Tube?

Also, Why dont you make a nice SS intake pipe and incorporate the TAG. I would buy in a heart beat. And maybe give one of these non-believers mine for cheap.

JASON

 

[Dean Upson]

I have noticed a positive difference. It does not throw me back in the seat, but the spool-up is faster and the truck is quicker and quieter.



It will be tough to give any mileage figures because of the varying temperatures here right now. I should be able to tell more honestly when the weather warms up. I have been getting some pretty bad mileage during this cold winter in the northeast. The egts and boost figures should be interesting when I get to tow with it in the spring,



That intake pipe sounds like a good idea, Jason.



Dean

 

[ACerf]

The torque tube would be nice with the TAG, but I think that unless the Engine is pumping out more than the SO or even HO HP's, I don't see any benefit to it. This comes from several discussions with the folks at STC Performance. In fact it could actually have a negative effect. What is your take on this CAR_NUT.

Dean and I have been talking about the TAG and other suttle mods to our engines. And I think the TAG appears to be a worth while addition. Dean I am sure will give us more feedback as he Turbos around town!

 

[Car_nut57]

ACerf,



A lot of variables between all the different truck configurations as well as stock trucks that effect air flows in and out of the engine. Jeff in our shop is currently testing the Torque Tube configuration with TAG on his 2004 HO, auto. I don't want to say much about it yet as it has only been this way for a couple of days and what we had to do change the Torque to to fit with the TAG may not be practical. I will try to provide more information later.

 

[ceaman]

Just picked up a 04. 5 600 tonight if you are looking for a dyno guy on this truck let me know i would be interested in testing it

 

[lschultz]

TAG

Got the TAG last week I ordered from DPP and put it in. Just going by overhead(have not put pencil to it yet)mpg has increased a few tenths. But I noticed that the avg mpg seems to change more than it has in the past. Changes about as much as the instantaneous mpg they used to have on the overhead. Engine does feel more perky. Hard to believe the TAG can do this.

 

[krs]

Dave,



You posted some numbers earlier which you said were expressions in ppms of "emissions", and later you said that you are very excited about these emissions numbers.



Can you identify what the numbers measured? Were they parts per million of hydrocarbons, CO2, or NOX? I know that in the state of Washington (parts of) the only regulated emission by diesel powered vehicles is NOX determined as smoke and measured in percentiles by an opacity test. The other regulatable emissions are either not emitted by diesels or are invisible and unregulated from diesels.



Just saying that there is a low level of emissions is not a meaningful benefit. In fact if the trucks equipped with your device have begun to emit pure clean oxygen it might be thought of by some as a detriment.

 

[Car_nut57]

The numbers for the emissions are opacity to measure smoke. "Mundgyver" on the this site has done some tests for NOX, CO2 etc. I just don't remember where his thread is located.

 

[bworthington]

Been running the new tag for a week. All stock 03 6 sd. For my money i wish i would have bought some Bud instead. I Least i would have felt good.