stang99x
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2006
- Messages
- 227
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- City, State
- Cumming, GA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2004 4.6 limited 4x4
Efficient Home Made Air intake on the cheap first generation Explorer
Contrary to popular belief, the cold air intake these days is not actually a cold air intake. The factory design, although somewhat restrictive, provides the coolest charged air through the fenderwell. Some popular cold air kits, such as the mustang 5.0 kit, are available in fenderwell kits or lower valence ram air models. These are the only true cold air intakes. A quick look to a site such as Kenne Bells will have a tech article about hot air intakes, what you know as a cold air intake. It discerns between the 80 degree or so air intake from the fender, and the 150-200 degree air from the open element filter in the cold air intake system.
This article is intended to provide you with a cheap, good intake that doesn't break the bank. I made mine out of some leftover parts I had in the garage in about an hour. Total cost to me, $0. What it might cost you will vary based on where you get your parts, but you should be able to do it well under the $100 or so the kits for these trucks cost, and have a much better system in the process.
Things you'll need to gather:
1. An 89-93 mustang 5.0 MAF (mass air flow meter) Junkyard special
2. K&N (or alternate) style filter for stock box
3. 3" tubing. I used polished mandrel bent leftover from an intercooler project
You'll need a 45 degree bend, and a 90 degree elbow at a minimum. Then some straight pipe and a few 3 inch rubber (or silicone) couplings and 6 or so large hose clamps
4. A vacuum line fitting for the intake, to fit the stock hose
To begin, remove intake pipe and upper filter housing. Careful of the two vacuum lines on the top of the housing, they sometimes become brittle and break easily. Remove the MAF from the filter housing. Attach the Mustang MAF from the junkyard, it'll bolt right up. The sensor from the mustang will work with the explorer no problem, but if you want to keep yours they can be interchanged. See pic below
Now, I had to cut my piping to fit. A sawzall made it easy, but you have your choice of tools. Look at this big picture for the general Idea
Make your cuts (measure twice, cut once) and use the afore mentioned couplers to put it all together. You'll have to have a reducer for exact fit to the TB, or just clamp it down really well, either way works (I clamped the crap out of mine and it works fine) Once you have it all fitted, make sure the hood closes properly, drop in the new filter, and let'er rip!
You know have almost twice the flow capability of the stock MAF using the mustang unit and you haven't spent a fortune to get it. I bought the intercooler piping on ebay some time ago, I think I spent like $100 on a huge kit that I built 7 intakes and my intercooler with. I built custom intakes for others and that paid for the price of the piping. The mustang 5.0 maf's are always on ebay, sometimes as low as $5 + shipping. Couplers and hose clamps from autozone.
Happy hunting!
Contrary to popular belief, the cold air intake these days is not actually a cold air intake. The factory design, although somewhat restrictive, provides the coolest charged air through the fenderwell. Some popular cold air kits, such as the mustang 5.0 kit, are available in fenderwell kits or lower valence ram air models. These are the only true cold air intakes. A quick look to a site such as Kenne Bells will have a tech article about hot air intakes, what you know as a cold air intake. It discerns between the 80 degree or so air intake from the fender, and the 150-200 degree air from the open element filter in the cold air intake system.
This article is intended to provide you with a cheap, good intake that doesn't break the bank. I made mine out of some leftover parts I had in the garage in about an hour. Total cost to me, $0. What it might cost you will vary based on where you get your parts, but you should be able to do it well under the $100 or so the kits for these trucks cost, and have a much better system in the process.
Things you'll need to gather:
1. An 89-93 mustang 5.0 MAF (mass air flow meter) Junkyard special
2. K&N (or alternate) style filter for stock box
3. 3" tubing. I used polished mandrel bent leftover from an intercooler project
You'll need a 45 degree bend, and a 90 degree elbow at a minimum. Then some straight pipe and a few 3 inch rubber (or silicone) couplings and 6 or so large hose clamps
4. A vacuum line fitting for the intake, to fit the stock hose
To begin, remove intake pipe and upper filter housing. Careful of the two vacuum lines on the top of the housing, they sometimes become brittle and break easily. Remove the MAF from the filter housing. Attach the Mustang MAF from the junkyard, it'll bolt right up. The sensor from the mustang will work with the explorer no problem, but if you want to keep yours they can be interchanged. See pic below
Now, I had to cut my piping to fit. A sawzall made it easy, but you have your choice of tools. Look at this big picture for the general Idea
Make your cuts (measure twice, cut once) and use the afore mentioned couplers to put it all together. You'll have to have a reducer for exact fit to the TB, or just clamp it down really well, either way works (I clamped the crap out of mine and it works fine) Once you have it all fitted, make sure the hood closes properly, drop in the new filter, and let'er rip!
You know have almost twice the flow capability of the stock MAF using the mustang unit and you haven't spent a fortune to get it. I bought the intercooler piping on ebay some time ago, I think I spent like $100 on a huge kit that I built 7 intakes and my intercooler with. I built custom intakes for others and that paid for the price of the piping. The mustang 5.0 maf's are always on ebay, sometimes as low as $5 + shipping. Couplers and hose clamps from autozone.
Happy hunting!
