PPE Carbon Fiber Air Intake

[Wakinvol]

Mine is on the way. I hope it’s worth the $$

 

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[Hatche90]

Mine is on the way. I hope it’s worth the $$

Did you get it at a Black Friday/cyber Monday discounted price?

 

[Hatche90]

Installed mine today along with a few other things - it was NOT an easy task. Took me about 3 hours overall.

I waited to do several things at once:

• PPE Carbon Intake Tube
• PPE Turbo Resonator Delete
• PPE Silicone Connector tubes
• K&N cold air intake

It took far more time to get things out then it did to put the new parts in. Most likely because all the stock parts are bigger then the replacements (Other then the K&N air box).

The PPE Forged Carbon Intake is a NICE PEICE of hardware. Very well made and looks great.
View attachment 5401

Since I was replacing the whole intake side basically - I removed a lot of things (filter box, Intake duct, coolant tanks and a few other bits) just to get to the point of removing the factory intake tube. Once all those things were out of the way, it took me quite a while to get the factory intake tube out. It is such a tight space, and I took my time.

View attachment 5402
Once I got things out - putting the new parts back in wasn't as hard. The long intake tube took a bit of fenagling to get into place, but once there, it fit great. The biggest downside is that it is buried behind the engine, and you cant really see it once installed.

View attachment 5403
The resonator delete is quite a nice piece as well. It did take a bit of force to get onto the turbo, but once seated, it fit nice. I am glad I also replaced the soft factory tubes with he PPE silicone tubes, they are stiff and hard to install, but should be worth the slight extra effort and cost.

View attachment 5404
The K&N intake was also a bit of struggle to get everything to line-up, but once it was aligned, looks nice.

View attachment 5405
Final install of the engine cover, covers most of the hard work. Doesn't bother me too much, as I am not going for looks, as much as some performance increase.

View attachment 5406
Overall I removed a lot of GMC plastic parts for much higher quality.

First drive impressions:

• You can ACTUALLY hear the turbo - and it sounds awesome!
• My truck finally sounds like a diesel truck. Not a ninja diesel like it sounded like from the factory. It's not as 'loud' as a full 6.6L, but it sounds so much better
• Butt dyno definitely feels some improvement - I had to turn down my pedal monster setting because I was breaking the tires loose too easily. I would say more low end torque improvement then anything.

I'll update on further drive testing, but initial impressions are positive and I am glad I did these things.

I can't say for sure which element provided the most bang for the buck, since I did it all at once though. Right now, I would for sure do it all again and am happy with the results so far.

I had to reinstall my factory intake pipe before going to the dealership and I will say that it’s a lot easier to install and remove the factory pipe after doing it the first time .

 

[Hatche90]

I did have a minor issue with my install. After a couple days of driving I did get a CEL. Checked the code and it was for lean condition due to an air leak. After checking all the new hose clamps, one was slightly loose. I retightened all of them and have not had an issue since.

Engine still sounds great. There is a slightly noticeable torque gain. Best part so far is I've gain almost 3mpg. Now averaging about 28mpg for my mixed commute. I'll keep an eye on it though - only been a little over a week. I have been heavier on the throttle too just testing things out.

I am still very happy with the setup and would recommend it. If you do install all the intake hoses from PPE - make sure the clamps are very tight. That turbo sucks a lot of air.

What’s mpg setting do you have your truck set on? 25, 50, or 400?

 

[Wakinvol]

Did you get it at a Black Friday/cyber Monday discounted price?

I got sort of a govx deal. $395. Hope it’s worth the $$

 

[Hatche90]

I got sort of a govx deal. $395. Hope it’s worth the $$

It’s definitely worth the price for looks and sound, but then again it’s kinda hidden behind the engine and cowl panel. It also doesn’t improve performance by a drastic amount.

 

[Wakinvol]

It’s definitely worth the price for looks and sound, but then again it’s kinda hidden behind the engine and cowl panel. It also doesn’t improve performance by a drastic amount.

My only reason for purchase was hopes of a little more power and maybe better economy. It could look like for all I care if it gave me the above. My outside looks good. Under the hood out of sight doesn’t matter to me! Hope I’m not disappointed

 

[Wakinvol]

Update on my PPE Intake Tube. Had it on for a few weeks. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s definitely well made and fits perfectly, but I’m not sure I’m seeing any gains, in fact I think my mileage is slightly decreased. Before you say that’s because I’m enjoying the performance let me preface. I have a certain route I take frequently and know what the trip mpg should be at various points. It’s close to or a little less than normal, but definitely not better. I’m driving it the way I always have just to see if there are gains and I’m not seeing them. My only thought is maybe I need to do a reset, but then logic tells me that the sensor is on the uphill side of the tube in the air box so it shouldn’t matter. Anyone got any suggestions? I may end up selling it and let someone else see if they can get better performance.

 

[TonyAT4]

Update on my PPE Intake Tube. Had it on for a few weeks. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s definitely well made and fits perfectly, but I’m not sure I’m seeing any gains, in fact I think my mileage is slightly decreased. Before you say that’s because I’m enjoying the performance let me preface. I have a certain route I take frequently and know what the trip mpg should be at various points. It’s close to or a little less than normal, but definitely not better. I’m driving it the way I always have just to see if there are gains and I’m not seeing them. My only thought is maybe I need to do a reset, but then logic tells me that the sensor is on the uphill side of the tube in the air box so it shouldn’t matter. Anyone got any suggestions? I may end up selling it and let someone else see if they can get better performance.

Could be winter fuel skewing your numbers?

 

[Wakinvol]

Could be winter fuel skewing your numbers?

Thought about that too…but it’s the same tank I had with the stock intake on it. I have a work truck so I don’t drive the AT4 on a daily basis.

 

[Dudeguyman]

Update on my PPE Intake Tube. Had it on for a few weeks. Not sure how I feel about it. It’s definitely well made and fits perfectly, but I’m not sure I’m seeing any gains, in fact I think my mileage is slightly decreased. Before you say that’s because I’m enjoying the performance let me preface. I have a certain route I take frequently and know what the trip mpg should be at various points. It’s close to or a little less than normal, but definitely not better. I’m driving it the way I always have just to see if there are gains and I’m not seeing them. My only thought is maybe I need to do a reset, but then logic tells me that the sensor is on the uphill side of the tube in the air box so it shouldn’t matter. Anyone got any suggestions? I may end up selling it and let someone else see if they can get better performance.

You’ll use more fuel on the quick stop and go’s similar to a CAI. You’ll save on mileage on the low RPM, low throttle mileage but shouldn’t be much. IMO, not worth the money for what you get - a little turbo noise and mileage change unnoticeable for me anyway (debating on putting my K&N CAI back on and see if that makes a difference). I noticed in my truck I’ll get different mileage depending on barometric pressure, moisture in the air, charge air temperature, etc., crazyyyyy sensitive at least for me. Logging lots of data and everything varies so much I can’t pinpoint the culprit of mpg fluctuation.

 

[Wakinvol]

You’ll use more fuel on the quick stop and go’s similar to a CAI. You’ll save on mileage on the low RPM, low throttle mileage but shouldn’t be much. IMO, not worth the money for what you get - a little turbo noise and mileage change unnoticeable for me anyway (debating on putting my K&N CAI back on and see if that makes a difference). I noticed in my truck I’ll get different mileage depending on barometric pressure, moisture in the air, charge air temperature, etc., crazyyyyy sensitive at least for me. Logging lots of data and everything varies so much I can’t pinpoint the culprit of mpg fluctuation.

Yup. That makes complete sense and that’s what I’m seeing. Put the stock tube back on and things are good again. Even bettered my best 25 and 50 mpgs. Somewhere around 34.5 for 25 and 31.4 for 50. Still runs great so I guess is stock for me.

 

[Wakinvol]

Update: I put the intake tube back on. Figured I’d just run it for a while and see. Made a 300ish mile trip from Chattanooga down Atlanta way and back yesterday. With mixed interstate and 4 lane Hwy driving I got around 27mpg. It does feel a tad more responsive. Gonna leave it on and see how it goes.

 

[Hatche90]

Update: I put the intake tube back on. Figured I’d just run it for a while and see. Made a 300ish mile trip from Chattanooga down Atlanta way and back yesterday. With mixed interstate and 4 lane Hwy driving I got around 27mpg. It does feel a tad more responsive. Gonna leave it on and see how it goes.

It’s definitely worth keeping after the amount of money you paid for it.

 

[Wakinvol]

It’s definitely worth keeping after the amount of money you paid for it.

Yup. Part of my motivation!