Topic: Air Filter Installation

[bluedevil]

              Installing an Airaid truck intake system on a Chevy Avalanche


When it comes to engines, there is no question that better breathing means more horsepower and torque. More air in and more air out equals improved horsepower and torque. In order to fully understand this philosophy, you have to get down to basics.

First and foremost, an engine is essentially a giant air pump. The up and down motion of the pistons move specific volumes of air through the engine. The quantity of air depends on a lot of factors including the displacement of the engine, the size of the intake system, camshaft configuration and how efficient the exhaust side of the powerplant is.

On a typical four-stroke engine, the atomized fuel mixture is drawn into the cylinder past the open intake valve by the downward motion of the piston. As the piston moves upward, the air/fuel mixture is compressed and ignited. The force of the explosion pushes the piston downward. This is considered the power stroke. On the piston’s return upward, the burnt gases are pushed out through the open exhaust valve and the process begins again.
But where’s the additional power in this equation? By improving the efficiency of the engine in any one of the critical areas, (intake, valve timing camshaft, ignition, exhaust) you can make more power. For the purpose of this discussion, we will focus on the intake side of the engine.
Most manufacturers face quite a challenge when it comes to designing intake systems for today’s trucks. First off, they have to fit the platform (model). And more importantly, the intake system also has to thoroughly filter the incoming air to the engine. And in terms of noise, the intake system has to be somewhat quiet. The end result is what’s found on today’s trucks. Does it work? Yes. Is there room for improvement? Most definitely.

On the stock intake system, the main air flow restrictions are usually the design of the intake box itself, the actual air inlet where the box meets either the inner fender or the radiator bulkhead and the factory paper-style filter inside the box.

The easiest upgrade to any intake system is to simply change the filter from the Original paper element to a high-flow style filter. But to extract the optimal performance from an engine, the next step to better breathing is to change out the complete air box for an aftermarket intake system.

Since the stock air box and the air box lid itself on most trucks are considered major restrictions, removing them and replacing the assembly with a high-flow air intake usually generates big improvements in not only horsepower and torque, but also throttle response.
We wanted to see this theory work in practice and we decided to contact the AIRAID Filter Company to help demonstrate how more power is made by improving the airflow on a typical truck intake system.

AIRAID decided to demonstrate the performance benefits of a high-flow intake, with its bolt-on Air Intake Kit. We decided on one for the for late-model GM trucks, as AIRAID claims it yields an additional 18 rear wheel horsepower. The system utilizes a computer- designed Cool Air Dam (CAD) housing that replaces the restrictive factory air box for maximum air flow. The heart of the CAD system is AIRAID’s Premium SynthaFlow air filter which, not only out-flows the stock element, it consistently Filters dirt down to 2-3 microns in size.

Installation of the smog-legal, bolt-on system can be accomplished by the average driveway mechanic in less than an hour. The late-model GM system is also offered with an AIRAID Modular Intake tube for enthusiasts wanting a smooth tube to replace the factory “accordion” tube that directs air to the throttle body.

The following photos highlight a typical installation. The install was performed on a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche fitted with the 5.3-liter V-8. The AIRAID intake system fits all GM V-8s including the 4.8-, 5.3- and 6.0-liter powerplants. The end result of this install was better breathing for the engine, which dramatically improved throttle response and power.


For easier access to the throttle body, remove the stock engine cover. Only one 10mm bolt holds it in place.


The next step is to loosen the clamp that holds the mass air meter to the factory air box.


With the engine cover out of the way, it’s easier to access the coupler that holds the intake tube to the throttle body to loosen the clamp.


The factory intake tube has a support pin assembly that’s attached to a bracket on the upper radiator hose. A screwdriver will separate the pin from the bracket.


With the clamps loose, the factory intake tube, complete with the mass air meter can be removed.


Since the mass air meter will be re-attached to the new intake, it is separated from the factory accordion hose and the air box. The factory couple on the air meter will be re-used.


With the ducting and mass air meter disconnected, the factory air box can be removed.


The mounting plate that holds the factory air box is held in place by five 10-mm bolts.


Remove the bolts and the box simply lifts out.


The next step is to assemble the intake’s Cold Air Dam as per the instructions using the enclosed hardware from the kit.


Once the Cool Air Dam is assembled, the six-inch filter adapter is added.


The completed CAD assembly is gently placed where the factory air box was located.


The box is bolted down using the supplied bolts and washers.


To insure a proper seal at the throttle body, AIRAID included a factory GM seal with the kit. The seal attaches to the kit’s Modular Intake Tube.


The mass air meter is attached to the back of the intake using the original factory coupler.


The AIRAID Modular Intake Tube attaches to the mass air meter with the supplied silicone coupler.


With the tube in place, all the connections are tightened.


One of the final steps of the install is to add the AIRAID Premium high-flow air filter.


The finishing touch is the addition of the weather strip, which forms the seal between the Cool Air Dam and the hood of the truck. You can also add the weather strip before you install the box in the vehicle.


Here’s what the finished install looks like. The AIRAID systems flows a ton more air than stock and is good for around 18 additional rear wheel horsepower.  :thumb:

[oHIobellboy]

Very nice tutorial, I tried this on my suburban I had. sounded nice when I floored it but didn't notice much else.

[justJR]

My kit is a home made frankenstine version and it really woke up my AV.