BigBluRam,

Here's a weblink to a KN that you may have on your truck:

http://www.kandn.com/dynocharts/77-1529.pdf

KN claims a 6.8 hp gain at a high rpm
and the hp gap does widen from lower rpm to higher rpm
which is at least a sign that lower restriction may be happening.

Note that the dyno graph says in small print 'SAE smoothing level 5'
but does not have the official words 'SAE Certified'
this means that they are making the graph pretty compared to the real 'noisy' data
and that they did not have an trained SAE member present to certify that the test
was done properly. That does not inspire confidence.

Since it is not too hard to swap back and forth
from the stock factory air box
to the KN 77
it would be great if some DodgeForum member would do some
1/8th mile dragstrip runs With KN 77/With factory airbox.

It would be even better
if they recorded their MAP and IAT sensor readings during the runs.

In past posts AirRam has said his 2002 Ram weighs 5800 lbs
and that his air intake will make a gain of 10-12 hp on a 4.7 V8.

But in past posts he has also said this:
******
BONE Stock without an intake it was running 11.2's
After the AIR RAM it was runing 10.9's

And I can still crank out over 20MPG if I want to.
************************************
endquote

Note how AirRam has 'muddied the waters' by giving 1/8th mile times
rather than quartermile times that many readers can judge from experience easier.

Unless something magical is happening
it takes a lot more than 12 hp to make
a three tenths drop like that in a short 1/8th mile
with a truck that is
5800 lb
3.55 dif gear
0.528 Cd with 35 square foot aerodynamics
4x4 driveline

 

I wont argue you with you on this behavor and maintenance are big factors that directly affect your MPG and HP. Personally when I run my ram and constantly speed I get between 14-15mpg and when I drive the speed limit and take it easy while excelerating I get 16-18mpg so yes that is true. But I also know that if you increase your HP and make your engine run to its fullest potential its going to be working alot more efficiently than what it would stock which would mean a lighter foot would end up doing close to what your origonally heavier foot would do under normal conditions which would mean that your engine wouldnt be working as hard as what it would stock or without mods. Now I will admit there are mods that will kill your MPG so just for the record I am not talking about Blowers/Turbos/NOS ect. that are meant for extreme HP gains, there are limits to what mods will make your engine run more efficient and what mods will just boost your horsepower, drain your gas and put alot of stress on your engine, there is a difference.

 

Nope Hank, sure didn't see an increase but I did not see a decrease either. If your going to use me, don't take things out of context. Personally I like the hard acceleration and loud rumble of the pipes so I would not consider me a good example - and that was also on ONE tank. I use a truck for work like I believe a truck is to be used. YOU YOURSELF said there is a 50/50 shot of seeing an increase OR decrease with the first tank after mods.
I have also stated many times, I DID NOT DO IT FOR MILEAGE.

BTW, I did ONE mod for towing purposes (I don't really count the ebay CAI). I would also appreciate being left out of the little hair pulling match.

 

Stump_breaker, Im just curious... how hard have you been driving and have you tried to get drive lightly just to see if you what you could get if you wanted too... Not seeing a loss in fuel economey is a good indication that the 4.56's are having your cake and eating it too... glad to see your enjoying them. I look forward to hearing more reports later on after you get them broken in... You going to love them at WOT!

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

I drive pretty hard - not all the time but hard enough. We don't drive the truck regular and it mostly sits parked a week at a time and is driven on weekends just to knock the dust off of it. We bought it to tow, haul and do things that you cant do with a car or Jeep. When I do drive the truck I like to hear the roar of the pipes and feel the kick when it goes from 1st to second. With the new gears, it will really pop your neck when it shifts in the 5000 rpm range much to my surprise not so much when floored but at about 3/4 throttle. My wife drives very lightly on the throttle so she gets the best mileage out of anyone I have ever seen. Like I said, she got 17.5 but had to help her daughter move and towed a trailer with that same tank. She is also the same woman who could get about 21 MPG out of our 03 Avalanche (which I would still have if GM woould admit to the piston slap problem - best truck EVER!). If that was not the case, I'm assuming we would have seen an increse in mileage by about a mile to a mile-and-a-half but like I said before, it does not matter ot me. That's why we bought a used Geo for $1700 about 9 months ago that has paid for itself one-and-a-half times over with the fuel savings and nearly no maintanence costs other than oil changes. She easily puts down 500+ miles per week. Of course her gas is paid for by the company so we are really seeing some savings there.