Elbow Mod or Deck Plate mod. Or both!

I want a bit of an HP increase and a more agressive sound without actually buying a K&N or the like. So I've seen the deck plate mod and the elbow mod and I was wondering which is better. I'd prefer the deck plate just cause its more fun and easily reversible.

Also, would it be good to do both? I've never seen anyone who did this so I'm guessing theres a reason. Just wanted to know your opinions


EDIT: I have the 2.4L if that makes a difference. I know there grooves i have to contend with

 

bumpage. anyone know?

 

If you leave the deckplate open - it bypasses the elbow (unless I'm thinking of something else) = which would be kinda pointless to do both.

The only real benefits to the deckplate mod....is a slightly quicker throttle response. I don't think there's any increase in horsepower or 'sound'

 

yeah guess itd bypass the elbow. thats probably why no one does both. actually, wouldnt that mean there theres no reason not to do the elbow mod?

the elbow comes in from the left side of the airbox and connects to the vent below the windshield. it takes in cold air instead of coming from the engine compartment. the deck plate goes on the front, thereby taking in air from the engine compartment but a lot more of it.

people take the elbow off (that goes to the outer vents) because it has a 90 degree bend which restricts airflow. this accomplishes the same thing as the deckplate by taking in air from the engine bay but just more of it.

basically i want to know if 2 open holes in the airbox would be too much, or is more always better?



and it been proven that both the deckplate or elbow will add about 7-10 HP on a 6cyl individually. in some cases, this was more than a $300 intake kit. these are results of dyno runs that someone else posted somewhere (sometime, somehow)

 

As evidenced by the ineffectiveness of many cold air intakes for our trucks, no, more is not always better. The aftermarket cold air intakes relieves as much restriction as possible by leaving the filter exposed, and as you said the deckplate mod gives quite a lot of hp gains. I don't exactly know how, because the intake's still sucking in hot air from the engine bay, and i suppose is still sucking a little bit of cold air through the elbow. So I guess the balance between the two would be important.

I would just do the deckplate and call it good.

 

best bang for your buck that there is(besides forced induction) on the 3.4!!

 

What's the "elbow mod"? Anyone have pics of this?

 

I did the deckplate mod and lost 4mpg. But it did sound great and improved response. I put the plate back in but left the silencer taped up. I get a little sound out of that when I get on it. Just my Exp.. I have heard the opposite from many others.

 

Tu che. I did notice a drop in mpg after I had my timing belt replaced. It was a week or 2 after the mod. Just a conicidence I think.

Small note; with the mod It pulled air in so fast I got some oil on my MAS and it started idling rough. A quick shot of Throttle body cleaner cleared that right up.

 

The elbow mod is removing the 90 degree elbow that connects to the left side of the air box (if your standing at the front of the truck looking in)


And noob question: what is the MAS and how do I go about applying cleaner if it comes to that.

alternately, how can i avoid this?

EDIT: Mass Airflow Sensor?

 

The airflow is going to go through the path of least resistance.

If the deckplate mod is OPEN - this is your largest available opening and the air will all come through this hole primarily because its a larger hole and the resistance is less. The 2nd hole will do nothing......

You can do the elbow mod, but that'll only benefit you if you have the deckplate closed.

 

As far as it sucking in warm engine compartment air, have you ever leaned over the opened hood of the 3.4 when just at idle? The amount of air being moved by the fan is quite impressive. Couple that with highway speeds and the location of the air box, and the temp between the fender well and the engine bay are minute. Granted, if I do this mod in upstate NY where the hottest summer day may reach 80* then it would be more effective than someone who is in the inner region of hell ie. Arizona where the temps can easily reach 110*.

If the filter you are using is an oiled filter such as a K&N, then you need to make sure to not over oil it or it will cause the oil to saturate the MAF. With or without the HP gain of this particular mod, the throttle response gain is worth it in my book. No matter how you slice it, for the money spent on this mod, it is well worth a try.

 

Ah theres the answer I was looking for. that makes perfect sense.

while im here, what do you guys recommend for "sensor safe" adhesives?

 

some permatex black rtv silicone will work fine.....and its sensor safe.

 

yeah i used the permatex blue sensor safe sealant and didnt have any trouble. there are pics on my profile of it

 

where does one go about getting that?

 

autozone,advanced,oreillys....and walmart have it. its about $4 or 5 a tube.

 

alrighty thanks! cant wait for my deckplate to get here.