$20 Custom build cold air scoop on stock air intake system! Is this ok or even legal?

[mawrazen]

I got creative and built a cold air scoop while sitting in the parking lot of a True Value hardware store.

The lady let me take some parts outside so I could test fit them.

I relocated the stock air intake (Before K&N filter in stock box) to under the right front fender and added a 4" 90 degree elbow to a 4" PVC Y adapter with the two 4" holes facing forward.

I then installed this piece under the bumper through the lower plastic trim piece by cutting a hole big enough for it to pass through with the PVC Y adapter as a cold air intake.

I then fabricated a scoop with sheet metal and screws to catch some more air. The scoop has a a longer top with a recessed bottom edge to block the rain. I then cut a hole under each of the two 4" leading edges of the PVC Y adapter to funnel out the rain water.
I also cut a slit with a hole at the top and bottom into the back of the 90 degree elbow that redirects the air back up into the redirected stock air intake. (To keep water from being forced into the air filter)

I finished by installing a metal mesh gutter topper into the PVC Y adapter to catch any larger debris.

Will this experiment work?

Would it be considered a cold air intake?

What effect if any will this device have on the performance of the truck?

I will be driving 900+ miles in today to test it. I will post my findings.

I might be crazy! Oh yeah my wife says I am. : Insane laughter

 

[aeaglenfitch]

this thread needs pics!

well i think the best thing to do would be to get a real CAI but this may help bring in more COLD AIR than sucking it right from behind the headlight which would make it hot.

 

[mawrazen]

Tried to upload some pics. Had some problems with the file size, I will retake some new pics and crop them to 800 x 600.

Hope to have some pics posted soon!

 

[mawrazen]

Here are some pics of the air scoop, I hope!

First time to try to upload some pics. I hope it worked.

I guess I will try to add them as attachments, some guidance to uploading pics would be appreciated!


Please don't dis me on the construction. It was an experiment Version 1.0

Total cost less than $20!

Please post some replys som I can make improvements.

 

[mawrazen]

If all goes well next version will have a blower fan! (Mini turbo charger)

I hope to drive this contraption 900 miles today!

3 adults and a big a** Bernese mountain dog will be my test subjects.

I will post my results tomorrow morning.

I had been getting 22+ MPG. I have since upgraded the spark plug wires installed new EGR Valve and also picked up a new for this vehicle (Used) ECU from a similar 1994 Eddie Bauer Explorer at the bone yard.

I had been getting a CEL after a few hours on the hwy I will let yall know what my results are.

228k soon to be 229k+

 

[Jason94sport]

Wow ghetto to the max!

I would not waste your time with any fans. You could not get enough air moving to do anything. You need to compress the air above 5PSI into the intake to get any effect.

 

[wood1]

Da scoop

Interesting scoop, if it was flush with the bumper face it would look better, I realize it's a work in progress. Should work great at feeding lots of air to the filter box, can't say I completely follow your description. Pics would be nice.

Is that a pusher electric fan behind the grill? Do you still have the engine driven fan?

The first time you beat your shin off of that scoop I'll bet you come up with version Mark II...

 

[techieman33]

I would unplug your battery for a little bit, that will reset your pcm, and force it to "re learn" any increased air you may be brining it might cause it to throw a check engine light.

 

[mawrazen]

Yes! Version 2.0 will be flush with the bumper trim. This is just a test.

Interesting scoop, if it was flush with the bumper face it would look better, I realize it's a work in progress. Should work great at feeding lots of air to the filter box, can't say I completely follow your description. Pics would be nice.

Is that a pusher electric fan behind the grill? Do you still have the engine driven fan?

The first time you beat your shin off of that scoop I'll bet you come up with version Mark II...

LOL !!!!

Thanks for the feedback. I so want to save gas and keep my truck I guess I am getting desprerate! Or something else. (Must be the smoke from all the Seafoam) he. he.



I didn't have a lot to work with at the True Value in Mountain Home, Pa.

I've already got a K&N Filter in the stock box. Also a few other mods. I am trying this out a long trip today if I ever get on the road. Got to fit my family and dog in the work vehicle. It's taking 4 ever to clean out years worth of neglect and grime. And pack all of our S**T.

Keep on truckin!

 

[mawrazen]

Yes, I still have the stock radiator fan also.

I installed a pusher fan in front of the relocated stock tranny cooler. The Hi Performance tranny cooler I installed on the original side was was too big to fit the 2nd fan infront of.

I added these mods to help with towing.

 

[wolfnutts]

hey interesting air scoop >) i would agree with previous post that if it was flush with bumper looks would be an improvement
go to salvage yard some time u might find a stock bumper pipe from a car trans am or camaro u could use instead of that y pipe.
or if you are at the hardware store a floor register gavanized metal reqtangle to 3 or 4 inch round to mate up with your pipe coming down from air box < ill draw a picture if u dont know what those look like
ohhh no weres fluffy the cat ??? meow its in my intake pipe !!!! meow meow lol

 

[mawrazen]

OK: 60 miles down, 850 more to go! No failures yet.

All is well so far!

Didn't have to tow the boat. Thank God!

I hit 75 MPH on the highway for about 30 Min. stopped in Scranton Pa. to top off the tank and inspect the ductwork. No failures yet!

Much better performance than the dryer duct that I ran from the MAF to the TPS. (It crushed when I floored it )

I have over 1000 lbs of people, canines and cargo in the truck. Next stop will be Harrisburg PA. in a few hours. I should have an idea of MPG at that time. I also reset the ECU since after the initial reset today I towed the boat about 25 miles.

And Yes, Version 2.0 will be flush with the bumper! This is a test.

Your prayers are appreciated.

 

[Blee1099]

WTF.. There must be something in the water in GA

 

[aeaglenfitch]

i was looking at my stock air box when i pulled it out to put in my CAI and realized how small the hole for the intake is, could someone with a stock box just cut a big hole in the front bottom half of their box to increase air flow?

 

[Gator Jeff]

i was looking at my stock air box when i pulled it out to put in my CAI and realized how small the hole for the intake is, could someone with a stock box just cut a big hole in the front bottom half of their box to increase air flow?

Can't remember who it was, but I know someone here swiss cheese'd the bottom of their air box and wound up sealing off the holes later on because all the extra air flow was so hot that it was actually harming performance.

 

[techieman33]

You can cut bigger holes, search for "swiss cheese"

 

[aeaglenfitch]

haha i was thinking just 1 big one in the front like my volant has. also, the air box is right behind the headlight... headlights get really hot... so wouldnt that... make it worse? i hacked off the plastic headlight service flap on the passenger's side to help get more air down there too

 

[mawrazen]

Update! Meowww!! Was that Fluffy? I better check the K&N Filter!

The looks I get are work the experiment. I have made several people smile or even laugh.

Were now south of Harrisburg. Hit five thunderstorms already! I guess the water management system is working fine. If not, I would be on the side of the road.

Even my wife and son are making fun of me! and shes driving now!

Topped off the tank after 100 miles to get an idea whats going on. Got either 21.25 or 24.78 MPG depending on whether I gauged it by the automatic shut of me topping it off.

Next mod might have to be to enlarge intake all the way to the filter box. Yes it is small.

My wife is concerned about our 10 cats I HOPE I CAN FIND THEM ALL! She's also not too pleased with all of my hair brained mods to HER TRUCK.

My family is still talking about me and my crazy mods. They say I can turn the scoop into a snow plow for the winter. Oh and made me put the antenna back on.

Its not the water in GA. Its the smoke from the SEAFOAM!

Next stop VA.

Damn, Wife said my next mod should be to fix the gas gauge. She doesn't like living on the edge. Still talking.............

 

[Dopler174]

Who needs a gas gauge? Just fill up every 200 miles.

 

[mawrazen]

No every 400 miles! Damn ran out again.

I can usually get 430 miles a tank but missed the Flying J by 2 miles twice in a row.

Tried to get from I-85 SC Exit 75 to I-77 VA Exit 323 missed it both times. 438 miles only got 436 waaaaaaa.

Good thing I carry 5 gallons of gas with me!