Volant CAI

[Brian Long]

I picked up a Volant 15260 for my '08 2500HD, 6.0L with mechanical fan.

 

Volant also sells a 152606 for the truck with the only difference being the filter element. Volant offers a "PowerCore" filter that does not get oiled (Pro 5 filter) and is advertised a lasting longer and performing better. Between the price difference and many an extreme dusty drive, I opted for the Pro 5 filter.

 

The main thing that attracted me to Volant was the box has a cover instead of full open. Like the stock box, the Volant draws air from the inner fender only the hole is larger, AND it also pulls from the front of the box plus another opening in the bottom. Volant sells a down tube that attaches to the bottom of the box and pulls air from behind the bumper as well - I did not opt for this.

 

The install is seemingly pretty straight forward.

 

Taking out the factory unit: Remove the engine cover to access the factory intake tube clamp, remove the MAF housing and set it aside, remove the intake tube, remove the box, and remove the base plate that the box sits on.

 

Installation of the Volant: Bolt in the box (uses holes from OEM base plate), install the filter, install the MAF using the OEM coupler and clamp, install the Volant hump hose coupler (silicone) to the MAF housing and clamp, install the special Volant coupler to the engine side of the intake tube, connect the tube to the hump coupler and secure, connect the tube to the engine intake and secure.

 

*** I did have to trim the fan shroud where the intake tube meets - photos have one shot with the tube pressing against the shroud, and one after it was trimmed ***

 

The issue I ran into is the hump hose is too short. I ended up having to undo all the clamps and run everything "long" by only keeping enough mating surface to cover the clamps on both ends of the MAF housing, and on the hump couple to the intake tube. I took the issue to Volant and they responded by saying the hump hose only comes in one size and the I needed to attach everything in the order in which I already did. My guess is if I stretch the hump -- essentially flattening it to extend the coupler --it may hold, but that is more pressure than I want to put on the clamps plus it does not account for engine torque (would be maxed out on length). For now I am just going to monitor the connections. If they move I will pick up a length of turbo coupler and make my own.

 

Using a DiableSport T1000 to monitor the intake and ambient air temp, over some mixed stop-and-go, with state roads and temps in the upper 90's, the intake temp averaged 6 degrees above the ambient air temp. Driving on the Interstate in low 70 degree temp, the intake was 3 degrees above ambient air. I think both of those numbers are very respectable.

 

I put the stock tune back on the truck to test performance. Engine load barely touches 69% just as it shifts at 6k RPM with WOT. This is pretty normal for my truck with the stock tune. I do not have logging data from the stock tune to compare it to, and I am moving from a stock tire to 35's along with a new custom tune, so the engine load is really all I can point to for hard data. It does feel like the truck revs out a bit quicker, and you can hear a bit more noise from the engine compartment.

 

Other observations:

• The filter did not come pre-oiled. Volant says the replacement filters are pre-oiled, so I expected the kit filter to be as well.
• The special coupler for the engine intake looks pretty decent, but you really need to crank on the clamp to get the slotted tube to bite on the engine intake, which deforms the coupler - a lot! Backing the clamp off just slightly makes the coupler look better but also allows the intake tube to slip.
• The airbox lid uses a Phillips screw driver instead of a torx head. No biggie either way, just a "huh" thing.
• The window on the airebox lid is nice.
• The OEM airbox tray says "DIESEL" so I guess someone did an engine swap (yes, before someone comments, it is sarcasm)
• $25 rebate does not suck.

Photos attached...