Airbox improvement

[Blacksheep Josh]

I have an improvement IDEA for everyone using a First Generation Explorer Airbox. It consists putting the cone filter on the inside of the box (if possible) to increase air intake, and to prevent it from engine heat. The second part of it is drilling a few 3" holes in the box, and connecting these to it:
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/SPT9756.htm
these are the ducts sold at local stores

I would think if done right you could pull in colder/cooler air ALL the time. But the main problem I see is the amount of air you'd be able to transport. By my rough calulations, a cone filter with a 3 inch base with a 4 inch height has a surface area just under 30 square inches? maybe? idk, did it in my head... The opening for the 3 inch tubing woudl have about 7 square inches of area, So you'd have to drill 4-5 holes to keep the same amount of open area.

I think someone else has attempted something like this, but not sure where that thread is. I'm going to try this, and see what happens, worst comes to worst I take the airbox out again.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Oh, I also thought that the stock airbox has the restricted intake tube from the front, and if you used that one, plus the separate 3" tube, it might work okay, because you'd STILL be getting mroe air.

 

[91exploreron37]

Interesting idea indeed. The only problem I see will be getting the cone filter to connect to the MAF while in the box.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Interesting idea indeed. The only problem I see will be getting the cone filter to connect to the MAF while in the box.

that's why i was thinking this. the adapter you would use to attach the filter to the maf wouldn't change. you could mount it on the inside of the box. just drill ALL the way through, so the airbox is just a spacer. just an idea though.

 

[sn0border88]

why bother keeping it in the box?

If you worried about dirt get a filter wrap.

And if your trying to get cold air induction.... its a 15yr old SUV.

 

[seth247]

k&n sells some filters with an angeled inlet and you would have to get some thing like one of those to make it fit. But if it does work I'll be doin it too. Keep us informed.

Truth be told I didnt notice much of a performance increase when I went from my k&n drop in to my specter cone. So the stock airbox mightnot be to restrictive its mostly the paper filter element.

Then again it might be that the specter doesn't flow as good as k&n's element(I suspect so)

 

[91exploreron37]

I think he's more worried about engine heat that dirt.

Seth: Did you notice a performance increase with the K&N drop in filter?

 

[Greasemonkey]

K&N air filters let in 3 times as much dirt as a paper filter

And unless you have done major engine modifications that require more air you already have enough from the factory setup. Why do you think you have a throttle plate to limit the airflow? You already have too much.

 

[91exploreron37]

Wait.... If the drop in K&N filter flows just as much as a cone filter then might as well drop in a K&N and do the "swiss cheese" mod to the lower portion of the intake box.

 

[91exploreron37]

And unless you have done major engine modifications that require more air you already have enough from the factory setup. Why do you think you have a throttle plate to limit the airflow? You already have too much.

So it should flow 3 times more air than a paper element
No but seriously I dont know how much more it flows. The throttle plate is to limit airflow at idle etc.. but what about at full throttle? Do you have too much airflow then?

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

why bother keeping it in the box?

If you worried about dirt get a filter wrap.

And if your trying to get cold air induction.... its a 15yr old SUV.

it's just an idea. you don't have to do it if you don't want to. i'm just playing aroudn with it. and if it works on my explorer then others may adapt it to newer trucks/suvs that dont' have cold air induction systems.

 

[seth247]

And unless you have done major engine modifications that require more air you already have enough from the factory setup. Why do you think you have a throttle plate to limit the airflow? You already have too much.

because the plate is to limit power when you don't need it but when you do the k&n let's more through at wide open throttle. And when you have one you done have to press as hard on the pedal to get up to speed. Therefore your reserve horsepower(for passing on the highway or getting your a$$ up a hill in the trail) is increased.

91exon37 (I need to come with a nickname for you cause that takes a while to type on my fone) yes I did notice an increase with my drop in. It was the first thing I bought for my truck that I acually felt I got my moneys worth. (granted its not astronomical but it definetly helps with topend(as well as low)

I'm no human dyno but I'd say 5-10 extra horses
but mainly it extends the power band higher into the rpms.

 

[seth247]

Wait.... If the drop in K&N filter flows just as much as a cone filter then might as well drop in a K&N and do the "swiss cheese" mod to the lower portion of the intake box.

because a k&n cone would flow better than all the above. I think the best thing to do is use a k&n cone with angled inlet(summit50$) and build a custom airbox (like blaksheep is thinking to use the stock one) or you could use an "office" trashcan (10$ wallmart) and cut/melt with heat gun and make it fit then use some kind of air duct or hose to get air from fender/headlight/wherever. it really sucks that the engine bay is so full of crud you can't get a part in edgewise.

One thing I like about classic cars, more room in the bay.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

One thing I like about classic cars, more room in the bay.

yes! i had an 82 s-10 with the stock v6 from an 87. i'd pop the hook, and people alwyas laughed cause it was so empty. i always regret getting rid of it... i'm always on the lookout for one now.

yeah, headers are nice, but they're so expensive for us.

 

[seth247]

I think I saw a pair of pace setters for 212$(?) but I would get them ceramicoated somewere in town if I could. (they come with black paint)

Yep found em for 220$. With optional Armor-coat ceramic coating it comes to 360 smackers

And that's not toooo terrible.

 

[91exploreron37]

because a k&n cone would flow better than all the above. I think the best thing to do is use a k&n cone with angled inlet(summit50$) and build a custom airbox (like blaksheep is thinking to use the stock one) or you could use an "office" trashcan (10$ wallmart) and cut/melt with heat gun and make it fit then use some kind of air duct or hose to get air from fender/headlight/wherever. it really sucks that the engine bay is so full of crud you can't get a part in edgewise.

One thing I like about classic cars, more room in the bay.

Kinda like what some of the sec gen explorers had stock.

 

[91exploreron37]

But the important thing to remember when shopping for headers is "you get what you pay for". Yea the JBA's are extremely costly but there very high qauality and you wont have any problems out of em for years. I havent tried the pacesetters but the headmans are crap. They constantly leak and I've had to weld them a few times where they've cracked.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

But the important thing to remember when shopping for headers is "you get what you pay for". Yea the JBA's are extremely costly but there very high qauality and you wont have any problems out of em for years. I havent tried the pacesetters but the headmans are crap. They constantly leak and I've had to weld them a few times where they've cracked.

yeah, i've even thought about trying to make a set of my own. i remember watching xtreme 4x4 on television and there's a kit somewhere that you mockup your own using the bends they provide, and then weld it together.

 

[seth247]

Yep ive seen those too. Might be worth it depending on the price.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Yep ive seen those too. Might be worth it depending on the price.

most definitly. i just have to decide to rip my engien out during fab, then learn how to do a tight weld.