A while back I had an Airaide intake installed. The thing is that it looks like the intake tube butts right up against the baffle by the grille. Is this the way it is supposed to be? This seems weird to me. Should I poke some holes into that baffle to get more air into the filter?

 

As I'm sure you have already noticed, a lot of air comes in through the top of the air-box.

The snorkel is where the stock one had been. I don't worry about it on mine, but if you want to you are looking at the Zoodad modification which is well documented.

 

Man, not sure on that one. Dealing with an issue myself concerning the AEM system. I was going to get the Airraid system - how do you like the installation and fit?

 

The intake tube on mine is near the grille support, not butted up against it. Plenty of room as a matter of fact. Because of the proximity to the support that is why some people choose the ZooDad mod (putting a hole through the support so air has a straight shot in to the inlet). With an open top on the filter box I haven't worried about it.

Since you didn't put it on yourself it is difficult to gauge if it was installed correctly. Although that would be difficult since it is about one of the easiest installs I have done.

This is my most recent Airaid install, and probably the easiest.

 

Get rid of the AIRAID. They are pieces of [Edited by kw5413]. I had one for 2 months, I installed it flawlessly. Took a trip to the dealer, asked diesel tech a question, opened the hood to show him the AIRAID....first thing out of his mouth is WHY DID YOU BUY THAT!?!?!?! I listened to his explanation of how he performed a test for a customer who claimed some type of problem (not sure what it was). The tech conducted a test. He installed the stock (closed) air filter and put in a temp. probe from his multmeter (I hae one also)...took readings. Installed the AIRAID and conducted the same test. THE AIR ENTERING THE INTERCOOLER WIH THE AIRAID WAS alomost 100 hotter than ambient air that whould be entering from the front!!!! To make things worse I started thinking on my end. Again, I made sure and installed this thing flawlessly....made sure it sealed perfect. When I removed the AIRAID I had so much fine dirt in the plenum it made me SICK!!!!! I threw it in the trash and reinstalled the stock, unil I bought the AFE system. I am a nobody, but I know one thing...AIRAID and PSD with an open airbox is NOT A GOOD THING. Beware!!!!!

 

chata, I don't think of you as a nobody, just someone with an opinion. I am on my third rig using an Airaid. I have always been very satisfied with them.

I don't know where in California you get all of your fine dirt, or what kind of driving you do, but the presence of dirt certainly indicates a problem. I would let Airaid know about this, I'm sure they would like a chance to deal with customer service issue.

Regaring your story with the tech, more facts would have been helpful. A stationary test of air temperature is not that demonstrative, unless you never move your vehicle.

I've spoken to the Airaid technical people in the past and have always received information and help. Perhaps you should have that conversation before you trash a manufacturer in a public forum. In my opinion.

 

One step ahead of you. The test the technician performed was @ freeway speeds and stop and go traffic. I live in SoCal. The truck did not see any offroading at all, only windy/dusty weather. I did contact AIRAID with my concern, they did not offer any resolution since months had lapsed and I did not have a receipt (threw it out thinking I had the ultimate in filtration). They would not give me my money back. They basically said I installed the item incorrectly or damaged it in the process of installation. I figure after being a mechanic by trade for 15 years I could do something as simple as this. Either way you look at it....the AIRAID defeats the purpose of the intercooler. It is sucking soo much engine compartment heated air in the process of filtering. It looks nice is all. There is a possibility I received the only "lemon" AIRAID or it indeed is a cr*ppy product. Coincidentally, a friend of mine payed Banks $4400 for the install of installs on his '06 PSD. My friend asked Banks to recommend a filter. BANKS SAID "AFE OR WAIT UNTIL BANKS COMES OUT WITH THEIR SEALED REPLACEMENT, DO NOT BUY AN OPEN FILTER LIKE THE AIRAID". Their testing proved them to be ineffective and a hinderance in performance. I trust Banks R&D is top notch and specifically know what works and what does not. They went as far as recommendeding a competitor's filter (AFE). I am happy with the AFE product I purchased after the fact. Unfortunately I will continue to bash AIRAID products for any diesel motor. Who knows, if AIRAID would have refunded my money as I asked things might be different.

Good Luck

 

chata, Please save the bold, I dis-like it when people yell.

I appreciate the points you brought up, here is my interaction with Banks on the Airaid topic. When I first approached Banks for my X I asked why they didn't have an intake for the Super Duty 6.0. I was told by their tech folks that the stock set up is excellent and the only aftermarket system they liked was the Airaid.

You and I both seem to trust the Banks folks and their opinions and that is why I have the Six Gun Tuner with Power PDA and an Airaid. Did you get a defective piece? Did I do a better install? I don't know the answer to either, but my experience with both Banks and Airaid is obviously different than yours.

I had a filter replaced once by Airaid. My choice. They had changed the filter and I wanted the new style. No muss, no fuss. So I will accept your criticism of the company with your one caveat, had you gotten your money back your opinion might have been different...

 

Well, I come down on the Airaid side of this discussion for several reasons. The installer had done his home work when it came to local Ford dealers opinion on it. They felt it was one of the few cold air boxes that wouldn't harm the engine or void the warrenty. 2nd, The airaid folks are made of of people who left K&N due to their belief in a better approach and higher quality product. 3rd, although it appears to be an open top box the sealer around the edges closes the top to the hood when shut so it is in effect a closed box w/ a front feed.

Given that, had I known then what I know now, I would have left the stock Donaldson box & filter in as it is proven to have more than enough air flow for the engine. The factory upgrade to putting the donaldson in was something I wasn't well informed on when I bought the Airaid in Aug '05 for the then, new truck.

Lveillon is doing an independent test of the zoodad mod as we write and trying to determin if that mod helps or not, as well as see if the stock vs. after markets are really any better or worst. Check out the thread when you have a minute.

Glad it is America and you can do your own thing! Enjoy the products you like and feel afre working for you . . .