Supercharged AFE Intake Question

I know everyone says to get the Stage 2 Si to compliment the TRD Supercharger, my question is why?

From the pictures the Stage 2 and Stage 2 Si use the same intake tube, just the box assembly is what is different. I understand with the sealed intake you are getting air outside the engine bay but in my case would it make a big difference?

Once the air goes into a hot throttle body heating it up some, then it goes into the supercharger it becomes heated more after being compressed, lastly it goes through the heat exchanger to cool it back down before going into the intake itself. Is the temperature difference larger enough to justify the extra cost of the sealed intake versus the regular non-sealed?

I already have enough money tied into the truck with the recent supercharger upgrade and had to borrow an OEM intake to temporarily replace the K&N that was leaning it out so I am on a budget.

 

I'm not exactly sure how much the air is actually cooled by TRD's so called intercooler. I think that external cooling system is used more to keep the SC cool than anything. Obviously, if the supercharger itself is cooler it will aid in the performance but I can't see how TRD's so called intercooler system is cooling the incoming air. It makes for good marketing I guess but if you look at one of these TRD SC kits you'll understand what I mean.

Soooo, in saying that, I would think anything you can do to lower the incoming air temp will lend itself to better performance. How much it lowers it and if it's worth it, I have no idea.

 

The simple answer is: Cooler air is denser, therefore you can get more power out of each rotation.

The detail answer:

A CAI such as the AFe helps to cool the intake air charge more than the stock intake does. This helps keep the charge cooler as it makes it's way to the cylinder. Obviously it will get hotter as it passes through the throttle body and through the blower, manifold, etc. But think about this. Which gets warm first? A cup of ice water, or a cup of cold tap water without ice? While it doesn't make a huge difference, it does help slightly.

If you want another reason to buy one, it makes the blower whine louder. Who doesn't want that!?

 

From what I read, and I am going by what others have said, the non sealed intake produce some noise in the cab at certain RPM. I have the sealed intake and absolutely hear nothing when accelerating normally and only the supercharger when I get on it a little.

 

B11 I believe it is to cool down the compressed air because the heat exchanger is insulated from the supercharger housing. It has a foam isolator across the sides and bottom, a plastic isolator to line it up, and up top against the lid it is separated with a thick bead of silicone. The supercharger is a huge heat sink due to the material and because of its function so I want to believe the heat exchanger is cooling down the air. Why else would the system be independent of the engine cooling system. It would of been easier to plum it into the existing radiator, and would leave less possible parts and connections to fail or leak (e.i. lower temperature radiator, inline pump, reservoir, lines, etc.).

spithead051 I sure don't mind the louder whine haha just want to see how small the difference is between the two aFe stage 2 intakes.

MikeyLikesIt do you know if the non sealed intake is fully compatible with the s/c? I tried searching for any information and couldn't seem to find much except that everyone suggest the sealed intake to prevent it from going lean.

 

I think you're over thinking it. The performance gains are negligible at best. I bought my CAI because I hated the look of the stock intake setup. Pretty superficial but that's literally why I got mine. If you go into it from that mindset you won't be let down. I was pleasantly surprised with better low RPM throttle response and a wonderful song at high RPMs. I wouldn't say that the overall performance was affected enough to notice though. It sure is purty!

 

Maybe I am! Lol I just want an intake that will be compatible with the supercharger, since I bought the truck used with the K&N already installed. After further analysis I found my MAF had become loose and the boost gauge port was uncapped. I might throw the K&N back on to see if it leans out or if it runs without issues? Any input? I know everyone looks down on the K&N but has anyone had any success mating it to the S/C?

 

I had one on mine and sold it because I liked the look of the aFe better. Much cleaner. If I were you I would just buy an aFe, sell the K&N and call it a day. I'm not sure how dangerous the K&N is if at all all I know is that it's no longer a concern of mine.