First of all I would like to say that Ive installed 3 downs intakes.Not one of them have arrived to my door with all the right pieces.This one is the first one with all the pieces but they screwed up when welding it.The hole for the air sensor was off by 90 degrees.It was located at the top not the back.I had to spin the mass air flow tuble 90 degrees to make ot work.Downs "NEW" intake is made of a much better cast.It is a two piece design.Not that flimsy old pipe like before! Still comes with a K?N but now it is not installed like before.I dont know how or why but i am really getting Ay least 4lbs of boost more than before!!!

My truck got 9 stock. Now somehow between the chip/filter combo.It is completly gone off the guage!More than my 99Like 13lbs!!!WOW

 

I bought a downs system not to long ago. The hole for the sensor was too small and not elongated enough and required honing out all around to make sensor fit. The weld on the sides over lapped the bolt holes making insertion of the bolts impossible. When they were drilled out the additional slag from the welding made seating of the bolt head or nut impossible. Nut for bracket mount to engine wasn't even close to correct size. On a unit that I saw installed, filter banged and rubbed against parts on fender and was destroying the filter. All in all a poorly made piece of junk. I returned it and received a complete refund. I'd have to see the "new" version to see if it is really that much better than the one I got.
noelvm


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99.5 Red Ligntning, Syn Oil, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, BFG drag radials, Bugflector, G&H Lens covers,
70 Vette LS-6




[This message has been edited by noelvm (edited 06-05-2000).]

 

Pictures Please!

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eric@sapp.com
2000 Silver Lightning
94 Black (Gone but not Forgotten)

 

noelvm I agree with you. The Downs intake I received looked like a high school shop project gone wrong. There was loose welding slag on the inside that would have gone straight into the supercharger. The weld blocked the bolt holes, etc.

I did not even try to install it. Like you I returned it for a refund. To the credit of the folks at Downs they even refunded the shipping charges. I would not buy another one until I see what they have done to correct their design and their quality control.

Anybody have pictures?

 

You are both correct.
Although the downs is new and gives me alot more boost,The quality is very very bad.My tube was welded at the wrong space which made it impossible to install without spinning the mass air flow.My filter does rub on the inner fender and I cant wait for sals.I just needed something to help with the chip.No matter how bad the quality is,the functionability works great.My air sensor was also a pain in the butt to put in.So far all 3 were like that.HURRY SAL

 

I realy don't think these filters mods are giving more boost like your gauge is showing. These reading should be calibrated for the stock air box. When you open up the air flow the reading are wrong. If people were getting 10+ LB of boost over 8 LB you would feel it big time and the dyno would show it. Maybe I'm wrong but is the gauge electronic or pressure controlled?

My $.02 worth

Dave

 

From what I have observed, there is a vacuum line that goes to it. I have even hooked up(as others) an Autometer gauge and mine shows the same results as the stock gauge.

 

I would love to get SAL's filter if he ever has time to make them, but as I see it, it's pure economics. I believe the time and effort to make the filter kit generate one a small dollar return for the effort and a small return based on $$$ per hour. The chip on the other had generates a much larger both return in dollars and in $$$ per hour. It seems to me he needs to double the price of the filter. I don't want to pay more but it would be in line with the airraid and maybe then he would make them. As long as he's busy with chips, I wouldn't be making filters either. It's just economics and you can't fault Sal for that. If I were him I'd sub'em out, but I expect he can't get someone to make them to his standard for the price he sells them for. In the meantime it's the K&N in the box.
noelvm

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99.5 Red Ligntning, Syn Oil, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, BFG drag radials, Bugflector, G&H Lens covers,
70 Vette LS-6