Stillen truepower scoop intake and aero shutters?

Naughty Donkey Performance · November 1, 2023

Looks good!

Gangly · November 3, 2023

Looks good, congrats on the install.

Suggestions:

1. Use stainless steel zip ties, the plastic ones wont last long and you don't want them bouncing around in your air box. You can get stainless steel ties from Home Depot for cheap.

2. Coat the mesh covering with "Exterior Protective Paint". The mesh will corrode over time and you don't want tiny metal particulates to be impacting your air filter, or worse yet be sucked through it.

Congrats again on the install, it looks nice.

typhoon186 · November 3, 2023

Good tip on the stainless zip ties. I probably could do a better job trimming the edges too. The mesh is coated aluminum alloy.

And I know this is over the tip OCD so criticisms are welcome. But couldn't stand the thought of that fresh cool air from the scoop escaping thought the hood latch opening. I know it's meaningless but I was bored I guess. I'll trim it up a bit later to make it look a little cleaner.

Edited November 3, 2023 by typhoon186

Transient · November 8, 2023

On 11/3/2023 at 1:47 PM, Gangly said:

Looks good, congrats on the install.

Suggestions:

1. Use stainless steel zip ties, the plastic ones wont last long and you don't want them bouncing around in your air box. You can get stainless steel ties from Home Depot for cheap.

2. Coat the mesh covering with "Exterior Protective Paint". The mesh will corrode over time and you don't want tiny metal particulates to be impacting your air filter, or worse yet be sucked through it.

Congrats again on the install, it looks nice.

Would you be concerned about stainless steel and aluminum alloy affecting each other in ways that cause corrosion?

z28tranz · November 8, 2023

If the aluminum has a coating over it then the stainless will not have a corrosive reaction that dissimilar metals usually have with one another.

z28tranz · November 8, 2023

Ambient air is a lot cooler than under hood air, so getting as much true outside air into your intake will benefit your engine.

Transient · November 9, 2023

11 hours ago, z28tranz said:

Ambient air is a lot cooler than under hood air, so getting as much true outside air into your intake will benefit your engine.

To make more power, yes. Improved fuel economy, no.

Cooler air is more dense. The truck's computer uses all of its fancy sensors, computers, and techno-wizardry to ensure the air-to-fuel ratio stays at 14.1:1. Air that is more dense leads to a lean AFR. The truck will compensate by increasing fuel delivery so the AFR is maintained at stoich. The benefit is more power, but it makes the truck drink more fuel.

Gangly · November 10, 2023

My Error

Edited November 10, 2023 by Gangly

typhoon186 · November 11, 2023

On 11/9/2023 at 1:00 AM, Transient said:

To make more power, yes. Improved fuel economy, no.

Cooler air is more dense. The truck's computer uses all of its fancy sensors, computers, and techno-wizardry to ensure the air-to-fuel ratio stays at 14.1:1. Air that is more dense leads to a lean AFR. The truck will compensate by increasing fuel delivery so the AFR is maintained at stoich. The benefit is more power, but it makes the truck drink more fuel.

yes and no. The cooler denser air will "allow" the engine to make more power. More power demands more air and fuel. But only if you use the extra power.

However if the extra power is not needed, say at cruising speed, its just more efficient and will work less meaning less fuel is needed. So if driving conditions and the same before and after, the engine will work less to provide the same results meaning less fuel.

yea my test data may look like a sniper ride for perfect mpg. And it was. It was intended to be that way before and after so I could compare apples to apples. And my finding was I got more mpg after installing the trupower scoop. The only way I can see it getting fewer mpg would be if the shutters are all in place and closed as they normally would be at cruising speed. With all the blades in place and closed I see where it could restrict air flow compared to stock. That's why I highly recommend removing the top row of shuttle blades. That will give the absolute best unrestricted air flow to the air box (stock or aftermarket CAI)

e.texerado · November 12, 2023

I removed majority of mine because of temp fluctuation, would spike well over 220 then back down. Also while closed you have hot air intake.

bluemonstercali · November 27, 2023

Question regarding blades and grill area. There is a portion above the aero blades that's solid. I have thought about "carving" that area our so it's open and would allow cooler air in when shutters close. Thoughts

typhoon186 · November 27, 2023

Personally after removing the top row of blades; I think that is the best option. Easy to remove with no cutting or damage to anything. Allows a direct path of fresh cool air to the intake ( stock or Stillen). And they could be put back in if for some reason you wanted to.

Vincej138 · December 6, 2023

On the subject of this.. Gonna get it ordered and hopefully can give some data to you all.

Got an iDash, so my plan is to log the following data between stock, CAI & hot/cold pipes, and then the Stillen with the CAI and pipes. Since here in AZ, Ill have a decent amount of days in the 70's to give a good ambient temp baseline hopefully.

- Intake air temp

- Manifold air temp

- Intake air density

- Boost air density

- Manifold air density

If all of the above mods work, the manifold temps should go down and the density should rise which = better combustion and use of fuel, HP and milage based on driving habits.

davidr83 · December 7, 2023

21 hours ago, Vincej138 said:

On the subject of this.. Gonna get it ordered and hopefully can give some data to you all.

Got an iDash, so my plan is to log the following data between stock, CAI & hot/cold pipes, and then the Stillen with the CAI and pipes. Since here in AZ, Ill have a decent amount of days in the 70's to give a good ambient temp baseline hopefully.

- Intake air temp

- Manifold air temp

- Intake air density

- Boost air density

- Manifold air density

If all of the above mods work, the manifold temps should go down and the density should rise which = better combustion and use of fuel, HP and milage based on driving habits.

By your list, You should be logging ambient air temp as well to see how well this "works" if you werent already planning on it.

Fyi, my stock piece lets intake temps get to 1-2 degrees above ambient temps while driving down the road and even matches ambient at times as well. Im down in South Texas. Stock airbox with a smooth aluminum intake tube to the throttle body. I only have one of the shutter blades removed on the upper drivers side. The last time i actually looked at this was during the August months as well so hot outside. Judging by that, id say the stock piece works well. I use HPTuners to log.

I was seriously contemplating getting the stillen piece until the data showed it wasnt needed in my case. I could only see this helping when stationary by helping shield the intake path from the rising heat/air coming off the radiator.

2021 RST 6.2/10L80/4x4

Vincej138 · December 7, 2023

37 minutes ago, davidr83 said:

By your list, You should be logging ambient air temp as well to see how well this "works" if you werent already planning on it.

Fyi, my stock piece lets intake temps get to 1-2 degrees above ambient temps while driving down the road and even matches ambient at times as well. Im down in South Texas. Stock airbox with a smooth aluminum intake tube to the throttle body. I only have one of the shutter blades removed on the upper drivers side. The last time i actually looked at this was during the August months as well so hot outside. Judging by that, id say the stock piece works well. I use HPTuners to log.

I was seriously contemplating getting the stillen piece until the data showed it wasnt needed in my case. I could only see this helping when stationary by helping shield the intake path from the rising heat/air coming off the radiator.

2021 RST 6.2/10L80/4x4

From what I'm seeing the intake temp is within 1-2° of ambient temp as well, so intake density should be ambient density as well, but ill double check that. That was my one hold up as well, is just taking the top shutters off pretty much comparable to the Stillen piece in the grand picture of it especially at higher speeds. Agree the low speed/stationary may help avoid heat coming off radiator. I think maybe the bigger benefit of the Stillen one is the top not having that lattice, just a smoother transition into the air box. But thats why it would be last in pieces. If the intake and intercooler pipes do show improvement, I may just be content with that.

In hind sight I should have got the PedalMonster before anything as it's fixed my main complaints just having more on demand acceleration.