custom air intake, size of tube

duffy · August 18, 2003

Is the size of tubing going to affect performance. First off, I have an 01 6.0 hd and also have flex-a-lite dual electric fans. That gave me more room to work with when making my kit. I used rubber plumbing connectors and pvc. I have 4 inch pvc from the throttle body over to the MAF sensor and a K&N attached directly to the other side of the MAF sensor. It is hard to tell if this made a difference and that made me wonder if the pvc could be to large. I will try to get some pics tonight. Any comments are appreciated.

bigtruck21 · August 21, 2003

some people say it's the speed of the intake not the increased size. http://www.mototuneusa.com

i'd say you would be better off with a sealed cai rather than an open element.

duffy · August 21, 2003

Here are a couple of pics of what it looks like.

awdvkd · August 22, 2003

Nice job, does it make the truck sound different?

duffy · August 25, 2003

Yes it does sound different, but I have actually lost mileage instead of gaining. some of the problem may be from picking up hot air from the engine since I haven't made a heat shield yet. I may try 3 inch instead of 4 inch pvc and also try putting some space between the MAF sensor and the filter. If any one else has any ideas please let me know.

bigtruck21 · August 27, 2003

I'd think your main culprit is the hot air. having a bigger intake will slow the air velocity, but shouldn't be much different than having a different size pipe if your tb is the same. Most aftermarket companies make between 3-4in intakes.

duffy · August 28, 2003

I made a heat shield and now just need to get some mile on it to see what happens. It may take a while because I'm driving the older truck and leaving the 01 with my wife. She had our first little one a few weeks back so I am leaving the good truck with her. I will post back when I find out more.

stlmaj · September 15, 2003

Nice clean looking intake!

01Burb · September 18, 2003

Did you paint the PVC black if so, what kind of paint. If not, where can you get black PVC pipe?

duffy · September 18, 2003

It is just high gloss spray paint from an auto parts store. I'm in the process of rerouting the pvc over the radiator hose and out of the hot air that comes through the radiator. I am also making a heat shield out of plastic to block the hot air from the engine bay. I hope to get it done this weekend and get some pics.

02Tahoe2Quick · October 15, 2003

Another thing you need to watch out for it the oil from the filter putting an end to your MAF's life. This is common in many other vehicles I have had... not so much with the factory oiled unit but when people clean and re-oil they tend to get a little over zealous with the filter lube. Just my .02...

duffy · October 15, 2003

That is a good point, you can't get in a hurry. You've got to give it time to soak in.

I've got updated pics on mct.truckmocie.com under Duffy in the gallery. I can't get the pics on here.

duffy · October 15, 2003

Sorry make that mct.truckmoxie.com

Chris97K1500 · October 16, 2003

I'm wanting to also make a heat shield out of plastic to block off the hot air from the K&N. I'm trying to make a custom CAI, what did you use to make the heat shield? I was thinking about using a black rubbermaid box and cut it down to fit, does anyone here have a better idea? Thanks, Chris

duffy · October 17, 2003

I used a big plastic tub that held minerals that my cattle can lick on. I just cut it to fit. It was round so it worked out nice. I bet the rubbermaid would work also.