Starving the Monster: KILLING A DURAMAX Pt 4

On episode four of Killing a Duramax, Gale tries starving the monster. He shows how a poorly designed intake will starve the turbo’s compressor costing you 30 horsepower or more! Contrary to starving, Gale discusses feeding the compressor.

0:00 Intro – Starving the monster
1:04 Intake air density control
2:00 Spark or compression ignition
3:45 Why I like turbochargers
7:00 Naturally aspirated engine
8:00 Feeding the compressor
9:35 The Vehicle Certification Agency
11:00 Observed horsepower
16:00 First test ambient air intake
18:15 Dropping air density
19:50 Analyzing data from iDash

Before the Banks Engineering Team swaps the stock L5P turbo for one that can provide more boost, Gale shows you how a poorly designed intake or high altitude is starving the monster. To illustrate it, he installs a restriction device between the intake filter and the turbo duplicating the conditions you’d experience with an air intake system that draws in hot underhood air or while driving at high altitude.

Gale wraps up the episode by analyzing the data from the iDash. We see how the ambient air density and pressure affect the performance. Spoiler: we lost torque and 10% of the turbocharger efficiency. Next up on episode five, the Duramax gets a new turbo.