Performance Systems Manufacturing, LLC

BENEFITS OF PSM COLD AIR INTAKE SYSTEM

The benefits listed below were obtained from “real-world” driving observations and instrument monitoring of EGT, air intake, underhood air, and ambient air temperatures, during towing a loaded 9,500 pound trailer and from dynamometer testing the truck over a 1 year research and development period. Tests were run from 6,000 to 11,000 feet elevation, from 20 to 95 degrees temperatures. These benefits are:

+Retains the sealed factory stock air box, intake tube and sensor in the stock location for the unmodified stock look, yet provides better performance in hot weather than other aftermarket intake systems.

+Engine and drivetrain factory warranty is not jeopardized and the kit is not visible from the engine compartment.

+Our air inlet port is located furthest from the engine compartment to eliminate underhood engine heat from entering the intake system and causing engine de-fueling and loss of power from less dense air. Inlet port is close to the front bumper for maximum exposure to the cold air in front of and under the vehicle.

+Air baffle is used as a secondary means to prevent underhood engine heat from entering the intake system.

+Our air intake system uses no metal components that may rust or transfer heat into the intake system like many other aftermarket metal air boxes or tubes.

+An economical cold air intake system for stock or modified single turbocharged Cummins engines with sufficient air flow for up to 450 horsepower.

+Engineered to provide maximum air density to the engine at all times, under all driving conditions, including heavy towing up steep grades for extended periods of time.

+Dyno and real-world acceleration tested to provide faster turbo spool up resulting in 15-20 horsepower and 35-60 ft-lbs torque increase between 1800-2500 RPM. Increases peak power 7-9 horsepower and 14-18 ft-lbs torque at 2800 RPM.

+Lowers EGTs by 40 degrees or more while heavy hauling and towing due to the cooler intake air entering the combustion chamber.

+Average 16 degrees lower EGTs during idle cool down than aftermarket "shield" type air box designs that take in hot underhood air.

+Tested and proven to work in harsh weather including heavy rains, sleet, slush, ice and snow.

+Theoretical improvement in fuel mileage although actual observed improvements will not be detectable. (However, some customers still report mileage improvements when climbing hills or mountains)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How difficult is the installation? The installation instructions are clearly written in a step-by-step format with many color pictures. Installation should take about 45 minutes. You will need some metric and standard sockets, a flat blade screw driver, medium size clamp, saber or keyhole saw, safety razor blade, drill with ¼” Ø bit and a marking pen. The most time consuming part is cutting a hole in the bottom of the stock air box. The ’03 – ’04 kit with fog lights will require drilling (2) ¼” Ø holes in the bottom of the air dam and 1 hole in the plastic inner wheel well.
Can rain and snow get in the inlet duct and air box? Rain and snow is much heavier than air. With the small negative pressure (2-3” of water column pressure or about 1/10 of one psi) created when the engine is operating at full throttle, water and snow will continue horizontally past the air inlet port and not be drawn into the air box. Our testing has proved this to be the case in heavy rains, ice, sleet and snow driving conditions. On the Buick Grand Nationals our air filter is located only 10” above the road surface and protected by the front bumper air dam. No adverse effects from rain or snow have occurred with over 500 kits on the road during the past 8 years.
I live on a dirt road, will the PSM air intake kit allow more dust to enter the air box? The air inlet port is 12-15-inches above the road surface and will not "suck up" dust off the road. The inlet port is also forward of the front tire and the dust created by the front tire will be behind the tire. Real-world testing on dirt roads was performed by TDR member John Holmes who lives on his Nevada ranch, 2 miles off the paved road. He reports that his air filter is not any dirtier with the cold air kit installed. John does recommend that one not closely follow any vehicle on a dirt road with or without this kit.
Can I go 4-wheeling with the PSM air intake kit? This air intake kit is supplemental to the stock air box inlet. If one was to ford a 3 foot depth of water, the stock located air box inlet would still supply air to the engine while the PSM inlet port is under water. Water must submerse the air box before damage to the engine would result.
How much will the PSM intake kit lower the air inlet temperature? During our real-world testing under extreme towing conditions we found underhood air temperatures as high as 150° F. while traveling at 60 mph up a 6 - 7% grade. Our intake kit using the “sealed” stock air box showed a maximum 5 - 6 ° F. rise in air intake temperature above ambient temperature during this test. When testing aftermarket “shield” type air boxes, intake air temperature rise was observed at 47 ° F. above ambient. The 41 ° F. lower air intake temperature from the PSM intake system results in increased air density, producing 7% more horsepower and torque while pulling upgrade.
Will cold air intake kit increase my fuel mileage? Theoretical “Rule-of Thumb”, is for every 10° F. cooler intake air, the fuel mileage increases by 1%. This is a very minimal increase when our trucks only get 10 – 13 mpg while towing. Any increase will not be detectable as there are much larger factors that affect fuel mileage, like terrain or wind.
I have a "shield" type air box system on my truck. What improvements will I see if I change to a PSM cold air intake? The difference between the "shield" air box and the PSM system will be noticed during heavy engine loading and towing up steep grades. That is where the PSM system will out perform the "shield" type air box with lower EGT's, more horsepower and torque and faster acceleration. This performance is possible because the PSM system is taking in denser air from the cold air inlet behind the front bumper. Faster reduction in EGT's during engine cool down is also obtain with the PSM system compared to a "shield" type air box.