Volant air box

[Bill_L]

Since it is new I am sure no one has had a chance to test it yet but I am looking for opinions on the Volant airbox for the TD.

It can be seen at the following link. There is also a link to an installed picture.



http://www.volantperformance.com/Products/vtrucklist_files/16659/16659.htm

 

[Ram4Sam]

I'm a test dummy

The Volante air filter people called me this morning, as I had visited their shop to final test fit their system. (previous thread in Acc forum) They wanted feedback from us diesel nuts so they cut me a smokin deal on one and I couldn't resist. I'm going to install it today but first I'm to hookup my 9000lb 5'er and do a test run up a local hill to get a EGT temp reading to see if it works. Will report back later. Even if it doesn't help EGT's, it sure looks cool!



Sam

 

[Bill_L]

Ram4sam,



Did you get a chance to do your testing? I would like to know the results to see if it is worth the $310 for the kit.



I wouldnt mind getting a deal to test one out myself if possible.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Volant system

Bill, I did get the box installed. The fit and finish are first rate. As for testing, my tests were flawed, I'm sure. Between watching guages, traffic, and shifting, it was pretty hectic. I have a K&N in a stock airbox, no snorkel and a few extra holes. I really couldn't tell any difference in performance or EGT's. A dyno is really needed here for an accurate report.



One thing I didn't like is the intake noise. It is as loud as the Scotty filter, which I had and took off because of the noise factor. The rear outlet for air intake doesn't quite line up with a Scotty hole, but is doable. On the plus side it looks great, goes on real easy, and uses a cone filter, ending the grease issue when using a K&n/AFE filter. The filter is as large as the box will allow. They did tell me that the kit will come with a K&N style prefilter to use in addition to the AFE filter. If there are any math wizards out there who can figure the area of a cone, the filter is 7. 5 inches long, 20 inches in diameter at the base, and 15 inches in diameter at the small end.



Would I pay $310 for it, hard to say. The Mega cannon can be had for around $200 and the new K&N system for a little more.



Sam

 

[Bill_L]

Sam,



Thanks for the info. I was wondering about the back end of the box where it goes against the firewall. Since I do not have my truck yet I was wondering if you have to make a hole there or if there is a factory hole that it slides into.



On my 1500 the computer is right there.



What kind of noise are you getting? Does it make a loud sucking or whistling sound?



I was also wondering about one other little thing. I noticed that on the stock filter box there is a filter check thing on it that basicly tells you when the filter is dirty. Does that mount to the Volant or do you have to make a hole for it?



Thanks.

 

[SEmerson]

Ram4Sam I would like to take a look at that some time if we could get together.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Bill, the box is made so the rear snout is a few inches short of the firewall. I allready had the hole from a Scotty filter I used to have. The Scotty hole is about an inch too far to the left for the snout to line up. But it is close enough that a connector hose could be rigged up fairly easy. You have to drill a hole into the cowl if you want fresh air. Since the AC/heater draws outside air from the cowl, you can really hear the intake noise. It's not a turbo whistle, more of a giant sucking sound when you start hotroding the truck. I'm tinkering with it to see if I can reduce the intake noise any. The filter minder could be installed real easy on the box by drilling a hole any number of places, but I didn't as those filter minders are kind of a joke in my opinion.



Sam

 

[Ram4Sam]

SEmerson, would be glad to, sent you a PM.



Sam

 

[Bill_L]

Sam,



I'm not real big on the idea of making a hole in the truck but I do know that the fresh cold air would make a big difference.

Do you think that a filter prewarp inside the box would help with the noise or do you think that the noise is the box itself?



I don't think I will hear it too much though since I will be installing the stereo I had in my current truck which is almost a 1000 watts.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I doubt a filter wrap will help the noise issue at all. Since the ac/heater draws air from cowl, if the engine uses the same cowl area, you will get the noise. If you want fresh air, you will have listen to the noise. It would be nice if they had some dyno info to see if the noise is worth it.



Sam

 

[Todd T]

Sam i think you meant circumference... LOL



that would be 6. 34" diameter and 4. 7" diameter probably more like 6 and 5



the first thing that came to mind when i saw it was, take the top access plate off and plumb it into a cowl induction or ram air style hood. with either an electric or vacuum actuated bypass. for those real rainy days.



then you would have fresh (RAM) air

 

[Ram4Sam]

I was just testing you guys....

I knew that Todd, I was just testing everybody



That would be a good idea but the box is fairly tall and I don't think there is very much room between the top of the box and the underside of the hood, I'll have to look at that some more.

I wonder if the top couple of inches of the box could be cut off and fab a new lower profile cover to slip over the top of the box that has a side air inlet, then plumbed to a fresh air hood opening. Hmmmmm... .



Sam