Regardless of the fuel type, an intake functions exactly the same on a gasser as it does a diesel. So everything that's applicable on a diesel, is also applicable on a gasser, and vice versa. There are quite a few lessons that can be learned by cross-referencing intakes, filters, etc across vehicle platforms, as well as even other automotive brands.

7.3L's run at much lower RPM's than 6.0L's and 6.4L's, and we are severely limited in RPM's thanks to the IDM. So it's not an RPM thing with the 7.3L. It's simply a matter of some intakes (stock, aftermarket, whatever) are designed and built better than others. Even some stock Ford intakes are better than other stock Ford intakes.

The same goes for gas engines too. Certain intake setups on 5.4L's, 460's, and other engines are going to do a better job of filtering, airflow, etc than others right out of the factory. This isn't an RPM thing, it's a design thing. It's whether or not Ford actually correctly designed an intake, or did a crappy job like they did with the stock 7.3L SD intakes. Heck, the stock intake on my truck was bad enough that Ford actually released a stock replacement called the AIS. How many other vehicle models has Ford done this for?

 

Yes and no. Like so many things it depends on particular circumstance that your talking about. I can cite it where quality is better then stock and it is designed better(with regard to surface area) and it will filter and flow better, but it doesn't flow better until it's too late.

For the 7.3 that's absolutely true, the design was crappy, but alot of people think just b/c it's a stock design that it automatically makes it a crappy design to begin with

Looking back on what I said, I can see where I put to much emphasis on the rpm thing(considering what I own though, I think you can understand why, especially considering I can think of two quality a/m intake units but they still fail to flow enough to enhance performance over the stock intake(not so much filtration performance, but hp performance). Quality should be a factor in there, but so should the feasibility of being able to use that extra airflow given the engine specs and what it can operate in. I guess it really does boil down to what your looking for as to what the deciding factor will be.

 

[quote=Pocket;7490094]Regardless of the fuel type, an intake functions exactly the same on a gasser as it does a diesel. So everything that's applicable on a diesel, is also applicable on a gasser, and vice versa. There are quite a few lessons that can be learned by cross-referencing intakes, filters, etc across vehicle platforms, as well as even other automotive brands.
quote]

Maybe if the gasser was running 30+ pounds of boost the filtering/intake requirements would be similar. Last time I checked a 460 in a 97' was NA. Saying a NA gasser and a high boost diesel have the same or similar filtering and intake requirements is rather insane. I've cluttered up thread enough I am out.

 

Insane? Sure the amount of airflow is different, but you're still filtering dirt out of the air, so the same task is being accomplished.

Here is a lesson to be learned from the diesel world. K&N drop-in filters for the 99.5-2003 7.3L's are a huge no-no. The reason is because K&N did not correctly manufacture the drop-in filter with the proper dimensions to make a good seal in the stock airbox. If you compare a stock Motorcraft filter to a K&N, you'll see that the outer seal of the K&N is only about half as thick. K&N's "brilliant" fix is to apply grease around the edge to create a seal. Sorry, but that's a hell of a lot of grease to fill a gap that huge. And besides, their fix doesn't exactly work anyway.

Now when I get a new filter, regardless of which vehicle I'm working on, I always double check it against the original to ensure that it has the same dimensions, and that there won't be a problem created if I switch filter brands, or go with an aftermarket option.

Diesels have also taught me the importance of air filter quality and the ability of the filter to do its job properly, simply because they do flow so much air, and that filtration issues pop up quicker on a diesel than they do on a gasser. Not all oil-rechargeable filters are the same. Compare the AFE PG7 filter on my truck to a K&N, and there is a HUGE difference between the two. I can look right through the pleats in a K&N and see large gaps where dirt could pass right through. I can't see anything like that on my AFE. Just because a gas engine doesn't draw as much air as a diesel, doesn't mean that over time poor filtration won't eventually cause damage.


Overall, the tone in this thread is way too touchy, and people seem to take things way to seriously. Lots of anti-diesel animosity for some strange reason. By the way, I have two work trucks that run 460's. FWIW, one my employees threw in a K&N in one of them, and I found out about it much later. I threw the K&N in the trash. Having a diesel taught me to check the intake tube for dusting. There was dirt inside the intake of that truck, which is why I got rid of the K&N. Funny how the same thing that happens on a diesel, happens on a gasser too.

 

Same thing for the 6.0, one reason is the same, but there is a different reason for another.


Get used to it. There always will be diesel animosity around here. I don't know if it's jealousy(I had to throw that in there and if the roles were reversed I doubt you gassers would be able to pass it up either, I mean it in the best of humor though) or what, but it'll always be here.

 

Wow, that was kinda like telling an officer off with the precursor of; "with all due respect". My truck runs great, on cheaper fuel, with cheaper maintence costs and best of all it was free! Jealous, I am not. I too see the obvious simularities between diesel and gas intake requirements, they both suck. I believe the overall animosity stems from some other strokers being kind of stuck up in other threads. I see every K&N thread turn into a diesel vs. gas pissing contest, and I too am getting a little frusterated by it. An oil saturated filter element may not be the best idea on a diesel, but this thread was posted by one of us not as good as you gassers.

 

You do realize that it was a joke don't you?

 

Alright, but only because your screen name begins with "Tex" and you drive a Super Duty.

So when are you going to put a K&N on that 6.0?

 

Now this is a good sign, atleast this thread hasn't caused you to lose your sense of humor.

 

Awe shucks, I think that all air filters SUCK!

 

I've read that a couple of times and I still can't believe you "said" that.

 

It kinda rhymes... that's the way we rap... Southern style!

 

I gotta stop posting before my afternoon beers, I am much more agreeable after 2 or 3. Did the OP ever post his decision?

 

If I had it to do again, I would use the K&N CAI kit (Part# 57-2542) which is made for the 1995 F150 w/ 5.8L engine (no MAF). It's a GEN2 design which completely replaces the intake tubes and has the box to limit the hot air from the engine compartment. Maintenance of the filter should be much easier as well. It may cost a little more but would be worth it to me. It should work fine because the intake design and engine compartment were the same for the 1995 F150 and the 1997 F250.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=57-2542

http://www.knfilters.com/instructions/57-2542_inst.pdf