Ebay Intakes vs High end

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CarKnockerJim

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speaking of Vararam....I wish someone would make a cheap copy of one of those.....has anyone seen anything of the sort?
 

GIJoe2010

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This is 3.5”/89mm inside diameter 45* and 90* silicone couplers and a 12” 3.5”/89mm outside diameter aluminum pipe. The 90* coupler at the throttle body has a 1/2” hole drilled out for the AIT sensor in roughly the same spot as the OEM tube. I put a little silicone on it for insurance but it went in super snug, twisting it in clockwise like a screw, so there was no damage to it nor opening up the hole unnecessarily. The 2 gripes I have is the 90* isn’t as tall as I would have liked so it pushes the engine cover down a little, and I will need to cut the aluminum pipe down an inch or 2 as there a is a slight distortion where the aluminum meets at the 90* coupler at the TB. All pieces were acquired from eBay and were less than $40 shipped.

I haven’t had a chance to drive it yet, but hitting the gas in my driveway, the throttle response seems better. The only thing left is getting a dry AEM drop in filter (coming from @Nick@GotExhaust here on the 12th). I’m still puttering around with modifying the bottom portion of the air box in a similar fashion others have done with hose going to the grill or another spot outside the engine bay. I may also paint the aluminum pipe with some flat black high temp paint, but I kinda like it as is as it matches up to the other silver/aluminum under the hood.

I will update tomorrow with throttle response review.

B51D56AA-73ED-443C-84B5-059685E098A2.jpeg

57D20E08-F30D-473E-9D66-0D37B225A38D.jpeg
 
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CarKnockerJim

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This is 3.5”/89mm inside diameter 45* and 90* silicone couplers and a 12” 3.5”/89mm outside diameter aluminum pipe. The 90* coupler at the throttle body has a 1/2” hole drilled out for the AIT sensor in roughly the same spot as the OEM tube. I put a little silicone on it for insurance but it went in super snug, twisting it in clockwise like a screw, so there was no damage to it nor opening up the hole unnecessarily. The 2 gripes I have is the 90* isn’t as tall as I would have liked so it pushes the engine cover down a little, and I will need to cut the aluminum pipe down an inch or 2 as there a is a slight distortion where the aluminum meets at the 90* coupler at the TB. All pieces were acquired from eBay and were less than $40 shipped.

I haven’t had a chance to drive it yet, but hitting the gas in my driveway, the throttle response seems better. The only thing left is getting a dry AEM drop in filter (coming from @Nick@GotExhaust here on the 12th). I’m still puttering around with modifying the bottom portion of the air box in a similar fashion others have done with hose going to the grill or another spot outside the engine bay. I may also paint the aluminum pipe with some flat black high temp paint, but I kinda like it as is as it matches up to the other silver/aluminum under the hood.

I will update tomorrow with throttle response review.

View attachment 122362

View attachment 122363
Looks good! Those clamps look real good...so much better than the parts store worm style
 

GIJoe2010

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Throttle response update:

Throttle response is definitely improved over OEM. Acceleration under WOT or just normal conditions (from a stoplight/sign) is smooth and linear. There doesn’t seem to be any sort of lag, “hiccup” or whatnot.

From a roll, again the truck accelerates fast and smooth. At WOT, the tranny kicks down to an appropriate gear and the engine/tranny seem to sync up more seamlessly, keeping the power where it needs to be in the sweet spot in the RPM range. When not accelerating at WOT from a roll (freeway speeds), the truck doesn’t seem to want or need to kick down the tranny more than the necessary gear (or 2) to speed back up to the appropriate speed (65 to 50 to 65).

On cruise control on the highway (ranging from 70-80mph), the truck rolls smooth and easy. As mentioned above, acceleration going up a hill is smooth and the tranny only seems to kick down the necessary gear to accelerate and maintain set speed.

All this is still using an OEM paper filter and the stock air box, I believe there will be additional improvement with the higher flowing AEM filter.

With as simple as $40 invested for some couplers, clamps and pipe I believe it was worth it for me and my truck. Results may vary though for you.
 
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Electrichemi

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I wonder what temp readings I am getting on the intake with get out the temp gun and get a report on IAT Reading
 

gixxer

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This is 3.5”/89mm inside diameter 45* and 90* silicone couplers and a 12” 3.5”/89mm outside diameter aluminum pipe. The 90* coupler at the throttle body has a 1/2” hole drilled out for the AIT sensor in roughly the same spot as the OEM tube. I put a little silicone on it for insurance but it went in super snug, twisting it in clockwise like a screw, so there was no damage to it nor opening up the hole unnecessarily. The 2 gripes I have is the 90* isn’t as tall as I would have liked so it pushes the engine cover down a little, and I will need to cut the aluminum pipe down an inch or 2 as there a is a slight distortion where the aluminum meets at the 90* coupler at the TB. All pieces were acquired from eBay and were less than $40 shipped.

I haven’t had a chance to drive it yet, but hitting the gas in my driveway, the throttle response seems better. The only thing left is getting a dry AEM drop in filter (coming from @Nick@GotExhaust here on the 12th). I’m still puttering around with modifying the bottom portion of the air box in a similar fashion others have done with hose going to the grill or another spot outside the engine bay. I may also paint the aluminum pipe with some flat black high temp paint, but I kinda like it as is as it matches up to the other silver/aluminum under the hood.

I will update tomorrow with throttle response review.

View attachment 122362

View attachment 122363


Do you have links to elbows, pipe, and clamps? Thanks!
 

rotwiler

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I cleaned my neighbors throttle body last week on his 2012 1500 5.7 and he has a K&N intake, was not impressed, the metal box was moving all around and seemed cheap. I have always had k&n on my other vehicles, but for sure not getting one on my Ram. Honestly these $50 ones look as good. I also seen some k&n knock off cold air kits on ebay for $150 and looked almost like a perfect clone. Hard to understand how they can make these $50 intakes, just the misc clamps, pipe, shipping etc seem like it would cost $50. There's some $60 ones that are coated in a wrinkle finish that look pretty nice. As much as I want a nice intake, $300+ I can't justify for minimal gains.
 

rotwiler

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I may try this one, says it has a heat shield, looks like a piece of clear plexiglass , $62 on amazon free shipping.

Screenshot_20180316-193726.png
 

GIJoe2010

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Do you have links to elbows, pipe, and clamps? Thanks!


https://m.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-3-5-qu...-89MM-CLAMP-/112621061467?txnId=1780759084001

https://m.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-3-5-qu...9MM-T-CLAMP-/112606901274?txnId=1780759083001

https://m.ebay.com/itm/3-5-quot-89M...-L-300MM-US-/121744015446?txnId=1918981218002

All I really need to do is shorten up the aluminum pipe. If you can find a taller 90* coupler it would have worked out better as it’s tight up to the engine cover. I’ll do a write-up and get it posted on Monday.
 

gixxer

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I have the 4.7 and I took out the resonator box and just got a 90 degree elbow from Lowe’s. I wouldn’t mind getting rid of that accordion tube. I noticed more growl and improved throttle response with mine. Inside the air box is a k&n filter. I included a pic of my setup. I didn’t lose any bottom end grunt.

I agree, not racing it, why spend the insane amounts of money for an intake.

Thanks for the links!

FB8CAB52-EA69-4871-90EB-03D366B1E55A.jpeg
 

Rampaige

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I may try this one, says it has a heat shield, looks like a piece of clear plexiglass , $62 on amazon free shipping.

View attachment 122966

Looks just like mine I got off EBay. But no clear plexiglass, open top only. I’ve had mine for 2 weeks and I’m really satisfied with it. And it was only $47.88
c9c510df80b13187b2d7fc28dd4fa943.jpg




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Rampaige

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I wonder what temp readings I am getting on the intake with get out the temp gun and get a report on IAT Reading

I ended up putting this on my tube, I would think it would have to help it stay cooler.
359f8426792690494b3e605a60ba07ec.jpg

The 15 foot role was just enough to cover the whole tube with the recommended 1/4 over lap!
cf0a7fce5a63370b91eed6427a0c06e1.jpg


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Electrichemi

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I also looked at that wonder if it traps hear during the summer since it's use is headers keep engine bay heat down which increased internal heat
 

Rampaige

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I also looked at that wonder if it traps hear during the summer since it's use is headers keep engine bay heat down which increased internal heat

Yeah, I wonder about that too.
I seen where several guys also tried it on there CAI and they said it actually kept there intake air colder.
Hey, if it’s on the internet then it’s got to be true.......right? lol


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gixxer

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EGT is a lot higher than IAT. It would keep the air colder for the intake as you keep the heat from the engine out.

For exhaust, your trapping the heat in the headers to keep engine bay temp down.
 

GIJoe2010

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Hmm, I may pull mine and paint it with some high temp paint and see how that goes. If no change, I’ll consider some header wrap.
 

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