mod questions for 97 5.0 AWD Mountaineer

[sagman82]

Just got my 1997 5.0 AWD Mountaineer this past week and I'm trying to finalize some mods i want.

Thoughts and reasoning
1. New intake (K&N FIPK) - i have one of these on my 1999 3000gt so I'm familiar with the install and cleaning. Having the chrome MAC doesn't matter to me. Performance and air flow come first.

2. Custom Catback - (flowmaster 50 series SUV) - Been reading the forum and this model muffler keeps popping up. Looking for better flow with alittle bit added sound then stock but not much. Question: 3 inch output pipe? With the 5.0L, I've read that you can go larger with the pipe. Definitely nothing bigger then 3".

Pretty simple. Let me know if i'm really off-base with my logic. I'm new to the forum.

 

[Phantom5.0]

You know- I really can't say spending that much money on the K&N would be a good idea. I didn't. I've had 5.0 mustangs, and my latest was T-Bird SC. The SC actually LOST power with the big K&N on it. My brother's Overland did too, plus the tube harmonics were loud. A lot of cars lose power on the FIPK. The MAF is only metered for x amount of air, so moving too much air really will hurt you- unless you get a larger MAF assembly. I plan on dualing my X- I want the split tail of my Mustang that I still miss. Not sure if I want a flowmaster or not. I remember the 40 series being real tinny and hollow sounding on the Mustangs and I didn't like it. I think the 50 would sound better. The Magnaflow my brother had on the Overland sounded good.

 

[sagman82]

I have a hard time believing a FIPK will exceed more air than the MAF can handle. Like I said, I put an FIPK on my 3000gt, and I didn't feel any lack of power, if anything, I felt it be more responsive. The money doesn't seem that much to me... having a reuseable air filter that enhances MPG is a bonus as compared to air filters than need to be replaced. My mountain only has 50k miles, so I expect it to be around. Still KIPK is my choice, unless there is something better out there. Thanks

 

[Turdle]

If you change anything in frontof your maf, you can dramatically alter its signal at a given flow. Just a 90 degree elbow too close can make it 20 percent rich. A maf is tuned to a certain filter, and if that is changed, it's signal can change if it isnt the right flow

 

[TheJMan]

I've got the MAC intake and a Flowmaster catback on my Mountaineer and am definitely pleased with it. The intake definitely adds some throttle response and a mean roar from under the hood. The Flowmaster catback added a bit of passing power, and it sounds awesome at WOT.

 

[performancenut]

Check this item out which would work perfectly in your vehicle. Consider the cost to HP benefit:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=141812

 

[timmac06]

I have the k&n fipk on my 97 5.0 and I have no complaints about it. It gave me better thottle response. The sound is not bad either. The only downfall is now I want a snorkel. btw, I don't think my is running rich at all. I can understand how it would mess with the flow thru the maf, but mine runs better than before. Its the only mod done to the motor.

 

[sagman82]

I've got the MAC intake and a Flowmaster catback on my Mountaineer and am definitely pleased with it. The intake definitely adds some throttle response and a mean roar from under the hood. The Flowmaster catback added a bit of passing power, and it sounds awesome at WOT.

Did you notice an increase in MPG? I'm looking to get an added 5+ MPG better with an intake and catback?

By the way... the flowmaster muffler i'm liking is the dual 2.5" inlet with 3" outlet.(From what i've seen on this forum, it's the most popularly used aftermarket flowmaster muffler) Also, I'm not a big fan of the aftermarket chips... wanna keep my tank with 87... i'm sick of putting premium in my 3000gt.

Also, I've been searching the forum, can't find a definite answer... is a 3" output pipe too big for the 5.0 V8? If not too big, I'd probably finish the pipe with a 3" to 3.5" tip. Thoughts? Thanks

 

[TheJMan]

I noticed only a slight gain in MPG. Maybe 1-2 MPG tops, but nowhere near 5. You'd also need headers, a chip or program tuned for fuel economy, and synthetic fluids throughout to even remotely come close to a 5 mpg gain. Most of all a light foot really helps mileage.

A 3" pipe is probably the biggest you can go without losing bottom end torque. Also, the 3.5" tip looks great, it's big without being too big.

 

[mrladylover]

Get a tornado. That will help with gas milage pretty good.

 

[performancenut]

Get a tornado. That will help with gas milage pretty good.

Snake oil. :thumbdwn:

 

[Phantom5.0]

Local exhaust shop told me the largest single that he would install was a 3 inch- otherwise may run into clearance issues over the axle. Hey Timmac- do you notice a lack in power in summer? When I had a filter arrangement like that in my Bird I lost power in the summer 'cause it was just intaking hot engine compartment air. That's the whole reason I didn't put the FIPK or other on my X. I just put the panel K&N- and still noticed a throttle response increase.
Oh- and yes it is possible to move more air than the MAF will tolerate- try running it without a filter or airbox. You do need some restriction to in the intake track. It works better for your 3000GT because it's a turbo- unlimited airflow isn't a bad thing for a turbo, but it is for a supercharger or n/a with maf.

 

[sagman82]

I noticed only a slight gain in MPG. Maybe 1-2 MPG tops, but nowhere near 5. You'd also need headers, a chip or program tuned for fuel economy, and synthetic fluids throughout to even remotely come close to a 5 mpg gain. Most of all a light foot really helps mileage.

1-2 MPG? That's hard to believe. I've read 1-2 just for the intake and 1 - 3 for exhaust. That's why i want to go with 3" outlet pipe. Not too big to hurt back pressure but still maximizing flow. P.S. - I'm hoping the 3.5" tips will look sweet too. I've been checking out tips like I check out women.

It works better for your 3000GT because it's a turbo- unlimited airflow isn't a bad thing for a turbo, but it is for a supercharger or n/a with maf.

Correction, my 3000gt is a 1999 sl v6 3.0L 220hp, not the v6 twin turbo. Still not believing that FIPK is not restrictive enough for the MAF. The FIPK obviously gets dirtier/restrictive the more you drive, so after a few thousand miles, there is no way you can argue the FIPK is still not restictive enough. Maybe I'm nieve, but I'll only be convinced if i hear/read tales of needing a new MAF because FIPK(or any other intake) damaged it gaving too much air under normal circumstances.

 

[Phantom5.0]

OH- ok. Just assumed you had the VR. Not understanding the KIPK- I know the FIPK, but what is the K? You won't damage the MAF if you have too much air- it just won't meter anymore air, so you end up with a lean condition in the motor. My brothers truck did that- but then again, it's supercharged so that throws a whole other wrench in it. I'm certainly not trying to buck the system- since everyone seems to run these open intakes- but where I live- the 90-100 degree summer air at our elevation makes for lousy city driving- so I try to keep the air filter from taking in more engine compartment air than necessary.

 

[mrladylover]

Snake oil. :thumbdwn:

It worked for me slightly. Im not saying any HUGE increases but it did do a little and I mean little. But if you add that with other mods then it all adds up.

 

[Turdle]

Get a tornado. That will help with gas milage pretty good.

The only thing a tornado will do for you is increase manifold vacuum.

Anyway, in your quest for better MPG, I will tell you from experience ( I have achieved 21 mpg, with some serious mods) Too lean is not good. I am running a pro-m BIG MOUTH MAFS, with a K-n conical filter bolted directly to it. I also bought the pro-m maf tuner. Watching the signal with an oscilliscope, you can see a change with different filters and intake setups. Remember, the maf is tuned to the injectors, go too lean and a piston burns like # 4 did on mine forcing a rebuild of an already fresh engine. After the original expense, this was a major setback, and almost made me disappear from this Forum. Thankfully the pistons were aluminum, and the block wasn't damaged. $100.00 piston, $1200 machine shop bill = gotta save a lot of gas to pay for this. Be careful

 

[sagman82]

Watching the signal with an oscilliscope, you can see a change with different filters and intake setups.

What kind of filters and intake setups did you check? Are you running a 4.0 or a 5.0? You said you have a k&n conial bolt on, are you refering to the K&N FIPK? How many miles do you have? Everything is a factor, you can't constribute an air take to a piston breakdown. It's alittle shocking to me that everywhere on this entire forum, performance air intakes are highly acclaimed, but in this post, people worry about them and say watch out. My theory is, I'm running the 5.0L V8, and to me, you would need a tropical storm to generate too much air flow. A reknowned aftermarket intake like K&n shouldn't be a cause for concern.

But i do appreciate the comments and posts, thanks.

 

[Phantom5.0]

I think people are saying watch out (and I'm one of them) because just because everyone is doing it doesn't mean it's the right thing to do. People are lemmings. I hope the intake does work for you, but I personally don't see it as a good performance per dollar investment. Now, I have a 2000 (5.0- is there another motor? ) and from others pictures of 96's and 97's, it looks like a few things have changed under the hood- so maybe what you will get is completely different. For example, my airfilter is flat, not round. I got the K&N panel because I kept the airbox. But, at the same time- I know that the Amsoil filters BOTH flow more air and have better particle filtration. Just because K&N has built a name doesn't mean they are the best. They are good, and when no one else was around, they were the best. K&N isn't the best choice on a motorcycle either, and their FI systems aren't anywhere near as smart as a car's.

 

[sagman82]

For example, my airfilter is flat, not round. I got the K&N panel because I kept the airbox.

Thanks for the comment. FYI, my stock air filter is round.

 

[410Fortune]

3" exhaust is what I am running on my 97 5.0L engine.
I have torque Monster headers running into stock explorer downpipes with primary cats and 4ea 02 sensors, from here it goes directly into a dual 2.25 inlet muffler with a single 3" outlet. No secondary cats on my truck. 3" pipe up over rear axle and out the back.

Sounds mean.

single 3" will make more torque then a true duals setup, good for a truck, this is what EB guys have been doing for years.

The MAS sensor can adjust for additional air provided by a FIPK kit or similar, in fact that is it's purpose. What do you think the difference is between sea level and 12,000 feet according to CFM's flowing through the MAS? alot more then a airbox to FIPK kit will change.

Getting cold air, not hot underhood air to the filte is most important IMO, the factory airbox is okay, but it has restrictions built in, personally I want to remove those restrictions.

Now with intake and exhaust you are only ever as good as your smallest bottleneck.
So having a huge intake and a huge exhaust does you no good if you have a stock throttle body, or a stock MAS.

Also too big is no good for throttle response or for making torque.