Air Density Makes Power
The boost tubes ( charge air cooler pipes) on your Diesel pickup were designed to move pressurized air through the intake system while keeping sound to a minimum. The manufacturer’s attempt to reduce sound often results in a loss of air density to the intake manifold. While the stock tubes are designed to be compact for manufacturability and ease of installation at the factory, the small diameter further restricts airflow. By contrast, Banks boost tubes are often an inch or more larger in diameter and mandrel bent to prevent pressure loss. The result is improved throttle response thanks to their superior boost retention. Erik explains just what goes into making better boost tubes.
Full Video Transcript
00:00 these are boost tubes for a stock Duramax this is a restriction this is a restriction and this is a restriction so how do we remove these restrictions first use the largest diameter tubing you can physically fit in the engine Bank in the case of most banks boost tubes 3 1/2 in in diameter is the max
00:18 you can snake through the given area second you use the largest radius bends possible third when you transition up or down in size you design couplers that use tangential curves kind of like a rocket nozzle but what does all of this actually gain you let’s take a look at
00:31 our 17 to 19 Duramax boost tubes by increasing the tube diameter from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in and removing those stock restrictions we’ve gotten a 26% increase in mass air flow on the hot side connecting the turbo to the intercooler and a 45% increase in mass air flow on
00:46 the cold side connecting the intercooler to the intake manifold the increase in air density results in better throttle response because the turbo doesn’t have to work as hard to make the same amount of boost