Cheap and easy tricks

[Goober]

For those in hot climates where the wiper blades don't seem to last more than a few months try this:

When using the wipers and beging to notice the wipers not working like they should, either flip them end to end or switch sides. They get flat from the heat and the spring holding them down and they willl work again once switched. It would have been good if they were raised away from the windshield once turned off, but this trick will lengthen their life.

 

[tac0meat]

a "high performance" intake is supposed to do what? get large amounts of dense(cold) clean air into the engine, right? so here is my theory:
the preheater hose(hose that connects the intake and exhaust manifold) kinda defeats the whole cold air part.
so here is what i did:
i disconnected the hose, and attatched a new hose that connects where the preheater hose did on the intake. i then ran the other end of the hose to the front bumper and mounted it in one of those two openings in the front bumper, and presto, ghetto ram-air! it might not count much for horsepower but in theory it should at least help mpg a bit and because i have the drop in k&n WITHOUT ANY HOLES IN THE AIRBOX i think i have helped to increase air flow some what and mpg too. if any one has any comments on this mod just let me know, im curious as to what you guys think.

 

[Rhett]

You should look at the ram air setup on a 4.0 OHV motor at this site:

http://www.centralcoastmustang.com/40perf.htm

it uses PVC pipe and so on to do a ram air on a Ranger.

Seems like there was another thread here a while back about adding ram air to your Explorer.

The pre-heater hose and inlet is very small (couple of cm's across). If that's the one you are talking about, I don't think it would let in enough cold air to change anything, incuding mileage. Now if you run a decent sized tube (like a 1 or 2 inch shop-vac hose) from your airbox to the front inlet then that could make more difference.

You can also insulate your air induction system (box and intake tube) with a product like Cool Tape to help even more. This too was another thread here.

 

[DocMorro2]

Ram Air MODs

I just read your post about fabricating a Ram Air system for 91-94 Explores. I to have a drilled air box and the performance off the line is noticable but, I also have pre-detonation in the summer.

I was thinking about using an exhaust blower motor from my boat, its got a 2" fan that sucks / pulls air in one direction. I would place it between the inlet tube in the grill and the tube going to the air box. Maybe hook a switch to it to turn off or on.

I will let you know if it works.

 

[CHH777]

The fan would not turn fast enough under WOT and would actually slow the airflow in many cases.

 

[raven2]

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[gilamonster77]

Hey, I know the thread moved away from the "small/fast" v. "big/strong" topic, but here's my two cents: just last night I had four adults (between 140 and 200 lb) and three children (less than 100 lb) in my truck, plus grocery bags in our laps, and no difference in power whatsoever. Six months ago I made three trips of about 20 miles each way with 50 6x8x16 cinder blocks plus three adults and no major difference in power. Now, try 1/5th of that weight in one of your sooo fast little cars and see if they move. They're good little cars, for their purpose, only for their purpose.
p.s. I have a kkm so I need to get cool air under the hood somehow too.