swiss cheese/airbox mods

[DZink24]

Thinking of doing the swiss cheese/straight pipe mod in the air box & turbo tube. Before I do, I'd like to get some tips from those who have done it. Firstly, I dont race, tow (heavy), off road, ect with this. (DD, weekend joyrider). That said, if this mod is to make more HP, thats not what I'm looking for- 305 is ample! My main 2 reasons for this are 1. sound- impressed w/ silencer mod. , 2. possibly better MPG. I figure, with holes in the bottom of the box, and no baffles in the intake turbo tube, means less resistance for air going into the motor, as well as more of it, and cooler air as well as engine temps. Am I correct? As far as these are concerned, how about homemade? Coffee can, hardware store? Any tips or info would be great. Thanks.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I swiss cheeseed my airbox a couple months ago. I have an X-intake which uses the AFE PG7 filter and I thought I'd compare the two. Didn't leave the swiss'd stock box in long to get any real data. It spooled so slow I couldn't stand it.



A couple days ago I decided to really swiss up the stock box and I cut 9 more 2" holes in it, for a total of 14. Spool up now is comparable to AFE PG7. Haven't towed with it yet to know anything about EGT's.



At the same time I had to remove my TAG III... reasons to come in another thread after I give the manufacturer a chance... Silencer ring came out the last time I did the cheesing. Now with 14 holes and no silencer ring, it sings way more than with just the AFE.



If you're gonna cut holes, cut as many as you can. Seems to have worked for me. You probably won't gain anything other than quickness and sound.

 

[steved]

If you're gonna cut holes, cut as many as you can. Seems to have worked for me. You probably won't gain anything other than quickness and sound.

I cut about 15 1" holes in my box... three sides and the bottom... and dropped an Amsoil foam filter in place of the factory filter... good mod.



IMHO, the OEM airfilter is THE most restrictive part of the intake followed closely by the airbox... replacing just the filter made a noticeable improment in mileage...



steved

 

[CumminsBu]

I was thinking of doing the cold air intake mod with the pvc pipe that was in the TDR Mag. So I only cut a 4" hole in the bottom of the air box. I also removed the baffles in the intake tube also. The turbo whistle is a lot more noticeable. If you decide to remove the baffle plates out of the intake tube only cut the top side (some people cut both the top and bottom) that way you can reinstall the baffles if you go on a long trip and the turbo whistle way get to you, like it does me.

 

[DaveHess]

I took and cut the entire bottom out of my air box. I use the AFE PG7 factory replacement filter and have been monitoring it regularly for cleanliness and damage. So far nothing. I use my truck for fun and towing (9000 lbs max). Didn't notice a difference in EGT or power. More piece of mind that she can get all the air she can stand. BTW, I took the "X" piece out as well as the silencer ring. I can hear my turbo just off of idle. I love it!

 

[GFrance]

I swiss cheesed my air box with a 1 3/4 paddle bit in every square. I just got the cool blue hose & afe pro gaurd 7 last week. I havn't towed my 5vr with it yet, but running empty I noticed better spool up & can here the turbo sing alittle more. Not going to remove the silencer ring. I hear enough of that turbo whine in my big truck. Probably why I'm half deaf after 31yrs.

 

[WStephens]

I tried the mod in the TDR article but the 4" PVC was to ridgid and pressed hard on the turbo discharge lines to the intercooler, so I took it out and threw it away, and replaced the PVC with a flexable duct and liked the results much better. Now I am getting more and cooler air to the air box and replaced the filter with the new Amsoil stock replacment filter. I also replaced the duct from the air box to the turbo inlet with the Torque Tube from Geno's Garage.



just putting holes in the bottom of the air box does get more air into the system but it is warm to hot air from the radiant heat coming off if the exhaust and the block.



When I drove to NC for an assignment from PA at 609 miles I stopped for fuel and the pump kicked off at 29 gallons and my average speed was 65 mph.

 

[archer2500]

How hard was it to install the TDR mod? And did you notice an appreciable increase in MPG from it?

I am thinking about doing that, getting the torque tube and the amsoil filter.

All in all I guess... what are your thoughts on them now that they are installed?

Thanks!

 

[WStephens]

How hard was it to install the TDR mod? And did you notice an appreciable increase in MPG from it?

I am thinking about doing that, getting the torque tube and the amsoil filter.

All in all I guess... what are your thoughts on them now that they are installed?

Thanks!

The mode is not that hard at all but the PVC is to ridged and put to much pressure on the intercooler line and also the air box would not fit right because of it. I use 4" dura flex duct which is simular to dryer vent hose and did not cause any problems with the intercooler line or keep the air box from fitting back into place.



My milage is more consistant now than it was before I am getting 20 to 21 miles per gallon on the high way, but I also did the first oil change to Amsoil and changed the air filter and the torque tube, so may have been a combination of everything.