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  1. A Cooler Cummins- Intercooler R&D, Part 5: Test Results

    A Cooler Cummins- Intercooler R&D, Part 5: Test Results

    Waiting is never an enjoyable pastime, and I feel confident saying this as a rather impatient individual, especially when it comes to ordering parts. After the initial wincing as I type my credit card information in and press confirm, I try to be patient only to end up refreshing my tracking number periodically throughout the day. Even at this moment I have a UPS tab open anxiously awaiting a shiny new oil pump for my track car. Well, the wait is over (for 4th-gen owners at least); testing is complete!

    Before we could begin testing, Team Mishi had to tackle the install. With a large core featuring a bar-and-plate design, this intercooler is a hefty unit. You will certainly want to enlist the help of a buddy when it comes time for installation. Our engineer, Jason, called in a reinforcement in the form of our video host, Rob.

    Installing Mishimoto's Cummins Intercooler
    Installing Mishimoto's Cummins Intercooler

    Mishimoto's Cummins intercooler installed
    Mishimoto's Cummins intercooler installed

    Mishimoto's Cummins intercooler installed
    Mishimoto's Cummins intercooler installed

    With the install in the books and the

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  2. Conquering the Catch Can - Part 3: Final Prototype Testing

    Conquering the Catch Can - Part 3: Final Prototype Testing

    If you remember from our last post about the Titan XD catch can, we ran into some challenges with the first and second prototypes. Since then we have perfected our design, so without further delay, let's look at our final prototype for testing.

    Final Prototype

    With the check engine light vanquished, our last update left us with a slightly different hurdle to climb. A buildup of condensation in the system had us a tad worried about possible freezing in the winter. Little did we know that the solution was right in the Titan's engine bay. One of the benefits of working on a larger truck is that there is more room under the hood to work with. We used this to our advantage and decided to relocate the can to another spot in the engine bay - one that would see more heat. The idea is that extra heat introduced to the catch can will burn off a good deal of the moisture and prevent freezing of the can. A fine theory, but let's see it in practice.

    Welding a new Titan XD catch can bracket
    Welding a new Titan XD catch can bracket

    Before testing,

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  3. Conquering the Catch Can - Part 2: Prototype Update

    Conquering the Catch Can - Part 2: Prototype Update

    If you remember from our last post about the Titan XD catch can, we ran into some challenges with the first prototype. Since our existing catch can design did not agree with the Titan, it was back to the drawing board for our lead engineer, Dan.

    Updated Design

    Our standard catch can when installed on the Titan was generating a code causing the truck to go into limp mode. The cause of the code stemmed from our standard catch can being too restrictive for the Titan's beefy Cummins engine. This is not surprising, given the 50 micron filter and smaller design of the can, which was originally designed for gasoline-powered cars. This catch can design functions beautifully on smaller turbo engines such as the Focus and Fiesta, as well as larger American V8s in the new-generation Camaro SS and Mustang GT. It just might not be suitable for the turbo diesel V8 in our Titan.

    With some creativity, we modified our original design and got to work on some interesting design changes to our can.

    Updated Titan catch can prototype
    Updated
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  4. Defending the Titan- Coolant Filtration Kit R&D, Part 2: Final Prototype

    Defending the Titan- Coolant Filtration Kit R&D, Part 2: Final Prototype

    Last time, we took an in-depth look at coolant filtration kits and how they can benefit our Titan. We gave you a sneak peek at what the final bracket for the Titan XD coolant filtration kit will look like. If you missed out on that you can check out the whole post on our engineering blog.

    Finalizing the brackets

    These brightly colored brackets were created with the help of 3D printing. This is just one of our rapid prototyping techniques that helps us create accurate prototypes the first time around. This allows us to bring great-looking AND great-fitting products to you in much less time.

    Prototype bracket for the Titan XD coolant filtration kit
    Prototype bracket for the Titan XD coolant filtration kit

    Prototype bracket for the Titan XD coolant filtration kit
    Prototype bracket for the Titan XD coolant filtration kit

    Since our last post, we have finalized the bracket design and it's looking great. We were going for a stealthy look to complement the Titan XD's already excellent-looking engine bay. Check out some installed photos of the final product, and let us know how we did.

    Titan XD coolant filtration kit installed
    Titan XD coolant filtration
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  5. Cooling is Coming- Intercooler R&D, Part 1: Stock Evaluation

    Cooling is Coming- Intercooler R&D, Part 1: Stock Evaluation

    We have been working on the Titan XD for quite some time now. We have gone through a variety of products like the intercooler pipe kit, coolant filtration kit, and exhaust. Now we are down to the bread and butter of our Titan XD parts: the intercooler.

    When we begin projects, we like to start by evaluating the stock component and looking for areas where we can make improvements. The stock intercooler in the Titan is fairly sizeable and features cast aluminum end tanks, which we don't normally see on stock intercoolers. Nissan has started off on the right foot with this intercooler. Still,Β we are confident that we can take it a few steps furtherΒ with our intercooler design.

    Stock Nissan Titan XD intercooler
    Stock Nissan Titan XD intercooler

    Stock Nissan Titan XD intercooler end tank
    Stock Nissan Titan XD intercooler end tank

    Stock Nissan Titan XD intercooler end tank
    Stock Nissan Titan XD intercooler end tank

    After having a look at the stock unit, we began work on our upgrade. The first step was to take some measurement with our CMM (coordinate measuring machine). This would give us data points to use

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  6. A Cooler Cummins - Intercooler R&D, Part 4: Final Prototype

    A Cooler Cummins - Intercooler R&D, Part 4: Final Prototype

    We are back with a much-needed update on our 13+ Dodge Cummins intercooler. For most of our projects, we work with a donor vehicle to conductΒ fitment and performance testing. Unfortunately, this also means being patient when donor vehicles are not available for us to use. The good news is that we will not have to be patient for much longer, because testing is on our schedule! Once we complete testing in the coming weeks, we will be sure to share the results with you. In the meantime we can take a quick look at our finalized prototypes for testing!

    Prototype Cummins intercooler and shroud
    Prototype Cummins intercooler and shroud

    In our last post about the Cummins intercooler, we created a foam prototype with 3D-printed end tanks and cut a shroud on our waterjet. With our initial prototypes complete and fitment confirmed, we can move on to creating our final prototype for testing. That means handing the design over to our resident drafter and render wizard, Josh. He created some awesome renderings of what the final intercooler

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  7. Treating the Titan- Exhaust R&D, Part 2: Exhaust Fabrication

    Treating the Titan- Exhaust R&D, Part 2: Exhaust Fabrication

    We are back with a much needed update on the Titan XD exhaust. Since our last post covering the stock Titan XD exhaust, we've come up with a design of our own.

    The first step in bringing our prototype from design to reality was to create a jig to use for fabrication. We started by taking measurements from the Titan, then fired up the waterjet, and sliced our largest jig to date. It had to be sizeable enough to accommodate the four-inch piping designated for the Titan.

    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype
    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype

    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype
    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype

    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype
    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype

    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype
    Jig for Titan XD exhaust prototype

    Now that the jig was complete, we could get to fabrication. Creating a jig on the waterjet usually results in a spot-on prototype in a relatively short time. This was the same case here and, when our prototype was complete and on the truck, it fit like a dream.

    Titan XD exhaust prototype installed
    Titan XD exhaust prototype installed

    Titan XD exhaust prototype installed
    Titan XD exhaust prototype installed

    The Final Prototype

    Now that fitment was confirmed,

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  8. Defending the Titan- Coolant Filtration Kit R&D, Part 1: Prototype Testing

    Defending the Titan- Coolant Filtration Kit R&D, Part 1: Prototype Testing

    Personally, I am a huge Nissan fan, but I try not to be too biased when it comes to working on Nissan projects. I do, however, remember how excited I was when the new Titan development vehicle first rolled into our headquarters in all its glory. I found myself pricing options on the Internet and weighing my student loan debt with the prospect of a shiny new toy. So with a love like this, it makes sense to protect it.

    When developing products, we consider several factors. We evaluate possible improvements to the factory setup of a vehicle, to make more power, or to solve a problem with factory components. Also where we can create products to protect the vehicle. For all of the Nissan Titan fans who waited patiently for their trucks to arrive and are now enjoying them, it is important to us to protect your investment. The Mishimoto coolant filtration kit is definitely a protect-your-investment product.

    How does it work?

    A coolant filtration system will remove sediment and other particulates

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  9. Refining a Titan- Intercooler Pipe Kit R&D, Part 2: Prototype Fabrication

    Refining a Titan- Intercooler Pipe Kit R&D, Part 2: Prototype Fabrication

    In our last post, we ended with a rendering of the Nissan Titan XD intercooler pipes and the jig that we plan to use to fabricate them. Since then, we began fabricating our prototypes and testing fitment.

    Before we could begin welding our prototypes, we first had to fabricate our jig. With the help of the trusty waterjet, we sliced the pieces for the jig and began assembling them.

    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig
    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig

    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig
    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig

    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig
    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig

    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig
    Titan XD Intercooler piping jig

    With the jig assembled, Mike fired up the welder and got to work on our prototype. Although the measurements that we took with our CMM (coordinate measuring machine) in the last post should be accurate, we tack-welded the pipes first to check fitment on our Titan.

    Titan XD stock and Mishimoto intercooler pipe
    Titan XD stock and Mishimoto intercooler pipe

    Titan XD stock and Mishimoto intercooler pipe
    Titan XD stock and Mishimoto intercooler pipe

    Titan XD hot-side intercooler pipe installed
    Titan XD hot-side intercooler pipe installed

    Titan XD hot-side intercooler pipe installed
    Titan XD hot-side intercooler pipe installed

    Titan XD cold-side intercooler pipe installed
    Titan XD cold-side intercooler pipe installed
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  10. Love Is in the [Charge] Air - Secondary Radiator R&D, Part 2: Prototype Testing and Data

    Love Is in the [Charge] Air - Secondary Radiator R&D, Part 2: Prototype Testing and Data

    Last time, we took a look at the unique design of the Ford 6.7 secondary Super Duty radiator and its accompanying thermostats. Our last post was only about two weeks ago, but I come bearing some good news - plus, great things come in twos.

    Why does my primary rad need a companion?

    As a recap, this heat exchanger, found in 2011+ Ford Super Duty trucks, works as an integral part of a mostly independent secondary cooling system that manages many of the truck's auxiliary cooling needs, including those of the liquid-to-liquid charge air cooler. Cooling these engine components more efficiently should not only prolong their useful lives, but also may make for some nice performance benefits if coupled with a tune - who doesn't love colder charge air?

    The secondary system allows the primary radiator to more exclusively and efficiently cool the torquey Power Stroke motors found in these trucks. For more information on the intricacies of this complex, clever system (and the benefits of upgrading it),

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