Stillen truepower scoop intake and aero shutters?

typhoon186 · October 23, 2023

I installed a S&B CAI and will be installing the Stillen truepower scoop intake. The active aero shutters close above 35 MPH which will restrict the direct air flow into the scoop. So my plan it is to cut off the blades of the top row of shutter and leave the round shaft in place (justs in the area infront of the scoop).

However, I was wondering if the top row of shutters could be removed completely? Anyone know for sure? not just guessing.

Naughty Donkey Performance · October 23, 2023

Not an answer to the shutter being removed but what most guys are doing with the stillen if they decide to use it is to actually trim approx 1/8 of an inch off the entire length of the opening of the stillen "scoop".

This eliminates the rub that causes the scary sounds when interference with the shutters is encountered.

However I see your plan is for the cool air to be flowing through the Stillen at all road speeds and temps, I have read that the top row was removed completely with no apparent issues after 40k miles of driving with the Stillen product.

The new versions of the intake supposedly have addressed the rubbing issue but I cannot confirm that.

Hope this is of some help/value to you.

Edited October 23, 2023 by Naughty Donkey Performance

typhoon186 · October 24, 2023

You are correct on both accounts. Thanks.

GETGONE · October 24, 2023

I put the scoop on around April or May of 2022 and it fits fine with the shutters. Per their website: *NOTE: As of February 15, 2022 this product is compatible with the active aero shutters.

The factory intake opening is at the top of the radiator so air manages to get to it just fine. What are you trying to accomplish taking out the shutter blade?

Gangly · October 24, 2023

Removing the shutter blades will not give you additional power as there is still excessive volume to draw air from. A common misconception is that the ram air system allows air to be forced into the intake which is 100% incorrect. There is no positive pressure in the intake track on NA motors, only vacuum, and the removal of the shutters will in no way increase or decrease that vacuum since the volume of air within the "envelope" is so large.

However, to answer your question, the blades can be removed without cutting them. If you do a search on the active shutters you will find several people who have removed them. I wish you the best in your endeavors but I would STRONGLY suggest you don't cut the shutters, or remove them for that matter, as there will be no gain, only misconceived perception of gains.

SC4R3C120W · October 24, 2023

I've heard good things about the stillen product, but for some reason it's considered a CARB product and can't be sold in California where i live. I am surprised that it's not even connected to the engine and acts more as a body panel, but since it relocates air to the intake, they were able to classify it as an engine piece.

Low Elevation · October 24, 2023

Get out of Commie California then! Lol.

newdude · October 24, 2023

19 hours ago, typhoon186 said:

I installed a S&B CAI and will be installing the Stillen truepower scoop intake. The active aero shutters close above 35 MPH which will restrict the direct air flow into the scoop. So my plan it is to cut off the blades of the top row of shutter and leave the round shaft in place (justs in the area infront of the scoop).

However, I was wondering if the top row of shutters could be removed completely? Anyone know for sure? not just guessing.

I'd tread very lightly in touching the shutters. If there is any fault that occurs it will turn on the check engine light.

Not worth chasing what, 0.0000001hp? Shutters or no shutters, air is still getting into the airbox.

Edited October 24, 2023 by newdude

SPASierra · October 26, 2023

On 10/24/2023 at 9:09 AM, Gangly said:

Removing the shutter blades will not give you additional power as there is still excessive volume to draw air from. A common misconception is that the ram air system allows air to be forced into the intake which is 100% incorrect. There is no positive pressure in the intake track on NA motors, only vacuum, and the removal of the shutters will in no way increase or decrease that vacuum since the volume of air within the "envelope" is so large.

However, to answer your question, the blades can be removed without cutting them. If you do a search on the active shutters you will find several people who have removed them. I wish you the best in your endeavors but I would STRONGLY suggest you don't cut the shutters, or remove them for that matter, as there will be no gain, only misconceived perception of gains.

I really wish more people understood this, instead of falling for the marketing hype of CAI companies. The only way to get more air into a motor is FI. The factory air box and tube isn't going to create enough turbulence over the span of 2 feet to rob you of any meaningful HP.

Naughty Donkey Performance · October 28, 2023

There IS a youtuber that documented Multiple trips without the Stillen and then multiple trips with one and I mean MULTIPLE trips, his documentation is revealing a 2 MPG gain with it.

Just putting it out there and he is NOT a Stillen affiliate.

I may try it myself with the EXACT same route of 100 miles in one direction on the same road with the same speed etc.

GETGONE · October 29, 2023

I have gained ZERO MPG from adding the Stillen scoop. I later added the K&N intake tube that uses the stock airbox and still haven't gained anything. With the 6.2 in my Custom Trail Boss I'm usually around 14.8mpg regardless.

typhoon186 · November 1, 2023

I installed the Stillen Trupower scoop intake today and have to say I am very impressed with the design. I don't claim to be an expert. My background in Mechanical Engineering and I have been modding and hotrodding and racing cars and trucks for over 40 years.

My personal opinion is the Stillen scoop intake is a good improvement over the stock part it replaces and should improve air flow into the air box whether the air box is stock or aftermarket. As far as the Aero shutters, there is a gap above the top of the shutter housing that should allow adequate air supply when the shutters are closed. At least enough it will not be choking for air. However the top row of shutters will cover the bottom half of the scoop inlet when closed. Good news is the shutter blades are easy to remove in place. with the scoop out, just grab the middle of the blade with both hands and pull it towards the engine to bow is outward while pulling the ends out of the housing. They slip out without breaking anything and will not affect the operation of the remaining blades.

With the top row of blades removed there is now a clear path for incoming air to the new scoop intake.

A good CAI will improve performance and fuel economy over stock. And the easier it is for the CAI to get air, the better it performs. Think of it this way. At speed the incoming air will be slightly pressurized. The faster you go, the more pressure increases. (No it's not like true forced induction but it's better than sucking air). It's better to be blowing pressurized air into the air box, intake tube and throttle body vs. it sucking air thru a straw.

typhoon186 · November 1, 2023

after a chance go drive a bit with the Sillen scoop installed and top blades removed from the aero shutters, I thought I give my impressions.

I was expecting or hoping to see a slight improvement in MPG but did not see any noticeable improvement. The temps were much cooler this morning and maybe the ecm needs some miles to learn the change in air flow. I will test again later after more driving.

As for performance. Let me say I know the seat of the pants dyno is deceiving. If you expect to feel changes you usually will even thought you probably can't feel small changes. Expectations and sound levels can trick the brain. But with that said, at 60 mph and above I truly FEEL a notable improvement in acceleration and top end pull. Take it with a grain of salt, I understand. No hard data to back it up. But my butt dyno is convinced. And I am always skeptical of butt dyno claims

Vincej138 · November 1, 2023

I was curious about this product, but coming from the 2.7L Turbo standpoint pairing it with a CAI just to help lower air temps going into the turbo when paired with hot/cold charge pipes I think it would be beneficial. Lower intake temps will likely help more than the added CFM

typhoon186 · November 1, 2023

Today I added some mesh screen to the front of the scoop and the top opening in the S&B CAI. This is to keep leaves, large bugs, mice, squirrels, etc out of the CAI box. Also drilled a small drain hole in the bottom of the inlet tube from the scoop intake to the CAI box to allow any water to drain out. I was surprised there wasn't one already there.