The Budget Bomber - Part 1

[100 Proof]

I don't know about the rest of you, but, I've been fascinated by some of the clever mods some of the members have posted about. Since my truck is now sporting a brand spankin' new X-Monitor, I thought I'd try out a few of these creative and low cost BOMBs to see if we've been dazzled with brilliance or baffled with... . well, you know. I'm an engineer; I just can't NOT collect data. Although dyno data is cool, as a guy who bought his truck to tow and not to race or hot rod, I wanted to get "road" data.



Today I tried out the Home Depot air box mod. If you are paying attention at all, I'm sure you've seen the $5. 00 3 or 4 inch street elbow that a few folks have been putting into the bottom of the factory air box to increase flows. I did mine with a 4 inch PVC version. Do a search on this topic if you don't know what I'm talking about. The rest of the drive train is bone stock except for the gauges. The truck has 16,238 miles on the clock.



The Apparatus: The truck in my signature towing my Arctic Fox trailer. I've scaled this combo at 16,400#.



The Lab: A section of Idaho State Highway 55 known locally as Horseshoe Bend Hill. Specifically, round trip from Mile Marker 48 to the summit and back. This is a 9. 2 mile one way trip with 2 6%+ climbs that start at 2,600 feet of elevation and crest at 4,242 feet.



The Procedure: Pass mile marker 48 at 60 MPH with cruise on in 6th, resetting the trip computer as I pass. I downshift to 5th twice to maintain 60 MPH, trying to do so at the same places each time. At the top, I turn around, get back to 60 MPH and reset the cruise. I let my exhaust brake do all speed control till I pass back through Mile Marker 48. Ambient temperature today for both runs was 80°F.



Results:



Before mod: Max EGT 1142°F, Max Boost 23. 6 PSI, AVG MPG 11. 1

After mod: Max EGT 1135°F, Max Boost 23. 9 PSI, AVG MPG 11. 3



Conclusion: I'm not convinced that with a sample size of 1 test, that any of these numbers are statistically significant. Having said that, they all DO go in the right direction and I only spent $5. 00. I think I'll keep it for now. I should comment that it has been stated by someone who knows more about air filters than I do, that the stock paper panel filter is now potentially exposed to the elements in way that might add risk to the health of the filter.



I am contemplating some other low cost BOMBs, such as a PG7 drop in, a TAG, and a Donaldson or Nelsen muffler upgrade, just to see what they do. In fact, thanks to member RAMASAUR, the TAG should be here next week. If/when I do these mods, I'll test the combo on the same run with conditions as similar as possible and post the results. I hope others will find this interesting and helpful.



100 Proof

 

[nwjetboat]

Good old Horseshoe Bend hill. I used it to test the CTD and a Durmax when we were shopping for a truck. Used my 22" NW boat as the "test sled" It weighs in around 6500lb. I don't have to say who won.

Can't wait to test the AFE/Torque Tube combo. on the hill.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Thanks for the interesting data 100. Doc

 

[Blue2002]

I also use Horsehoe Bend Hill for testing. Hwy 55 runs by close to me. I've got the MHAF paper filter from cummins in my 2002 and I have seen no signs of water getting near the filter. I did put an outerwears cover over it and monitor it. I will consider the marine version of the MHAF or BHAF if I see any water near the filter. George

 

[100 Proof]

Originally posted by Blue2002

I also use Horsehoe Bend Hill for testing. Hwy 55 runs by close to me. I've got the MHAF paper filter from cummins in my 2002 and I have seen no signs of water getting near the filter.

Thanks for the reply George. Have you measured any differences in EGTs, boost, economy, etc with your filter?



BTW, where are you at? I'm in Eagle off of Floating Feather.



100 Proof

 

[BIG HAULERS]

air box mod

What did you use to keep the PVC in the air box?

 

[wanderson]

I would like to know that too.

 

[100 Proof]

I cut the hole in the air box pretty tight to the approximate finished dimension I needed with a saber saw. I then used a file and did a finish fit with the elbow going in and out until I was happy with the fit. Then I dropped the elbow into the hole through the top with the flange in the air box. The flange keeps it from falling through. Then I placed the assembly into the truck to rotate the elbow to the proper angle. In my install, I also had to trim a little off the end of the elbow as well to clear the A/C lines. Once every thing was dry fit properly, I used black RTV on the bottom to keep the thing from "riding up" into the air box. I also have a screw in plug I can use in inclement weather to block off the new entrance.



Do a search on air box mods and you'll find photos of what others have done. That's how I got started.



Others have reported much greater EGT reductions and mileage increases than I was able to measure. My results may vary from yours as well. If so, please post comparative data and tell us how you got there. There's a ton of dyno data out there. What I'm looking for is objective, repeatable street/towing data, preferably including EGTs, boost, and MPG as minimums. That's why I'm doing all my measurements on the same course with as close as possible loads and conditions.



Oh yeah, and if your not having fun, you didn't do it right! Oo.



100 Proof