Opinions on Air Intake kits?

[Brian_B]

Actually it is a 73mm C & L MAF ( housing ), not a TB.

Ops yeah, Sorry Al. I thought MAF and typed the other by accident. (embarressed smilie here).

 

[aldive]

Ops yeah, Sorry Al. I thought MAF and typed the other by accident. (embarressed smilie here).

Thats what I thought ....

 

[Brian_B]

Umm...yeah. I know its hard to believe, but I do actually know the difference.

 

[Skibum1989]

Do the "cold air" intakes provide any advantage over the others? I know the idea is that a heat shield in front of the filter allows colder air to enter, and according to the ideal gas law, a lowered temperature with a constant pressure and volume will allow more air molecules to get in, but once it passes thru the heat shield into the tubing, wouldn't the molecules just heat up and spread out again before reaching the engine?

 

[celly]

I have a 1998 Sport with the SOHC will the Volant fit that engine?? The catalog does not seem to have one but I see them here on your SOHC's

The guy I bought mine from said he had his on a '98. He did mention that you actually have to drill a small hole in the intake tube to house some sort of sensor that was on the '98, but not the '00.

 

[celly]

Do the "cold air" intakes provide any advantage over the others?

None that I've ever read about, outside of what the manufacturers claim. The thing I like about the closed box of the Volant is that it keeps the filter protected from rain and dust a bit better. The theory is the air "might" be cooler, but it's debatable whether that claim is valid.

Search around the site. This issue gets discussed all the time.

 

[aldive]

Do the "cold air" intakes provide any advantage over the others? I know the idea is that a heat shield in front of the filter allows colder air to enter, and according to the ideal gas law, a lowered temperature with a constant pressure and volume will allow more air molecules to get in, but once it passes thru the heat shield into the tubing, wouldn't the molecules just heat up and spread out again before reaching the engine?

The theory is valid and in concept a real advantage.

However, real world vs theory is a different story. There is really no advantage to the so called cold air intakes, This can be demonstrated by comparing IAT to ambient temperature at various speeds,

I have repeatedly shown that the temperature difference is always within a degree or two at speeds over 40 MPH.

Try it yourself.

 

[aldive]

The thing I like about the closed box of the Volant is that it keeps the filter protected from rain and dust a bit better.

Did you see this as a problem when you used an open intake?

I have never seen it as a problem here in Florida have never seen water in the area,

It might be a big deal with off roaders.

 

[celly]

There is also a vortech one that looks almost the same.

C&L manufactures the MAF body for Vortech. Of the photos you posted, there is something different about the Vortech over the one Aldive and I got. I don't remember the specifics. Some sort of tube that's in the Vortech but not ours. I don't have a clue how that impacts things.

p.s. here is what Doug said: "They are the same style, made for Vortech by C&L but they are the older style with the sampling tubes."

Not sure what a samping tube is.

 

[celly]

Did you see this as a problem when you used an open intake?

I have never seen it as a problem here in Florida have never seen water in the area,

It might be a big deal with off roaders.

Al, I live in a very dry climate (except recently when we had massive flooding), and dust is always an issue. I wash my car and it's covered in dust in no time. Air filters definitely need replacing more often here than in many locales. My MAC intake definitely got dirtier looking faster than the Volant filter I have now.

I wouldn't imagine rain being that much of an issue, but the sealed box can't hurt.

 

[Brian_B]

C&L manufacturers the MAF body for Vortech. Of the photos you posted, there is something different about the Vortech over the one Aldive and I got. I don't remember the specifics. Some sort of tube that's in the Vortech but not ours. I don't have a clue how that impacts things.

p.s. here is what Doug said: "They are the same style, made for Vortech by C&L but they are the older style with the sampling tubes."

Not sure what a samping tube is.

Hmm...I see the tubes in the vortech ones (pic I posted). I was not aware that the C&L did not have them. At least, I don't recall seeing a pic of the inside of one. I wonder what the difference is. (puzzled smilie)

They can both be purchased for almost the same price (for whichever is better). Summit has the vortech for like $122 and jdsperformance has the C&L for $110. I do not know anything about that company though. Maybe when I get rich I will try it. LOL

I have spent my limit until the next payday.

 

[aldive]

The inside of the C & L MAF ( housing ) is perfectly smooth. The stock electronics fit in there as shown in the picture.

 

[Brian_B]

Now I have officially seen the inside of one. Ask near aldive and ye shall receive.

Thats cool to see the difference. In the other shots, they look the same.

Celly said C&L makes the vortech housing so that makes sense now as well.

 

[rama1200]

The inside of the C & L MAF ( housing ) is perfectly smooth. The stock electronics fit in there as shown in the picture.

that sensor intrussion look like a big barrier for free flowing air...

 

[seanthenerd]

I run a K&N FIPK II system with a Granatelli Motorsports Cold air tuned MAF on my 97 4.0L SOHC. I did not notice what they advertise in HP or Tq gains but what you do notice for sure is a nice throttle response and coupled with the MAF a really nice acceleration. I just had a Flowmaster 50 series installed today (going to pick it up in 30 minutes) so that with the other mods migh tmake some HP's. I paid like $240 for my KN FIPKII and I have never looked back, I have been very pleased with it. It will make a noticable sound under the hood which I think is pretty cool sounding. It sounds like it is sucking the air righ down!

Hope the info helps you make you decision
-Sean

 

[Brian_B]

My Mac intake is at the post office now (missed the postman today). I should be able to pick it up tomorrow afternoon and get it installed sometime this weekend (assuming it ever quits raining).

 

[celly]

My Mac intake is at the post office now (missed the postman today). I should be able to pick it up tomorrow afternoon and get it installed sometime this weekend (assuming it ever quits raining).

Gotta love deliveries. I've had a few this week including my new XCalibrator. I get them sent to my work address. Our shipper/receiver is on vacation this week so no one told me my package from Bama was here. I was sitting at our sales counter yesterday talking to a staff member about something and I see this box in front of me from Alabama. UPS tracking didn't even mention it was "out for delivery".

A nice surprise.

When Canada Post can't deliver, I'm able to pick up at a local depot in a drug store a few hours later. They know me well over there.

 

[Blue_Oval_Ford]

I do not use any spacer at all. And no, I run a stock TB ( they do not make an aftermarket TB for the SOHC ).

I am very happy with my Mac intake.

No, they don't make a TB for an Explorer, but I installed a 70 mm TB from a 2002 4.6 2V GT (Ford Racing) and it was a perfect fit.

 

[aldive]

No, they don't make a TB for an Explorer, but I installed a 70 mm TB from a 2002 4.6 2V GT (Ford Racing) and it was a perfect fit.

What effect did this TB have?

Any pictures?

Anyone know the size of the stock SOHC TB?

 

[Blue_Oval_Ford]

This is the actual TB I installed on my Explorer. Did not notice any real big power gains, but I could tell there was a difference. Stock TB is 66mm. http://store.summitracing.com/largeimage.asp?part=FMS-M-9926-D462