stock air tube vs. k&n, volant?

[scottyg]

been lookin through old posts at all the intake info i can find, but cant find answer to this ...

whats the difference between my stock airtube between the filter and throttle body? MAC intakes are chrome and K&n look like that hard plastic stuff but i dont think that would make a difference. What about size?

im wondering if there is any additional benefit to buying an intake system for my SOHC compared to buying a quality cone filter with an adapter kit to make the new filter compatible with the stock "air tube"?

furthermore, is a cone filter going to add any additional benefit when compared to the drilled airbox i have now. THANKS!!!

 

[celly]

Supposedly, the aftermarket intake tubes are less restrictive than OEM. I beg to differ. I can attest that the Volant intake tube is much smoother inside than an OEM tube on the SOHC application. I think they look cooler tham stock by far. I am willing to bet an open filter IS less restrictive that a swiss cheese airbox and definitely looks cooler as well.

 

[scottyg]

so what im gettin is that intake "system" > open filter > modded airbox...and the reason is that the OEM tube is more restrictive because its less smoothe than aftermarket parts. which would be the better buy then, between the volant and the K&n?

 

[2000Xplorer]

i'v heard that the volant will gain you more hp, but is more expensive than the K&N. i am debating which to buy right now also, or even buy a intake system.

 

[Afboy143]

KKM is where its at

The stock tube is plastic, not metal, and outflows the throttle body anyhow...just change the filter itself

 

[dreamr]

As Celly said the idea with replacing the tube is to smooth out airflow. Another aspect of it is this. In most vehicles the bends and twists in the pipe reduce the inside diameter. Not so much on the explorer, but my 5.0 mustang is a prime example. By replacing the tube with an aftermarket you are trying to replace it with a piece that is not only smooth on the inside, but one that will also maintain the inside diameter of your mass air meter to free up the bottleneck.

On a stock vehicle if the stock tube is relatively well made (consistent internal diameter) there is really no point other than cosmetic to replace the tube as the manufacturer will have already matched the size of the tube to accomodate the mass air size. When you upgrade to a larger mass air meter this should be considered as you will not see full gains if running a 76 mm maf on a 58 mm tube. In essence you want the entire system to gently taper from the mass air size to the upper intake manifold inlet at the throttle body. Hence why you should prot match the intake to the throttle body as well.

A good example of this would be to look up the C&L True flow MAF and inlet for a 5.0 Mustang. It is well explained on their site.

In summary get the pipe if it looks nice to you. Don't if you only care about results.

Now for the open air filter. IMO for a DD it makes it sound nice, but the same result can be achieved by drilling your air box and removing the air silencer.
The explorer filter set up is similar to that in a mustang. The stock airbox with a K&N panel filter and removed air silencer was able to support a 5.0 mustangs air needs up to 430 HP. Or at least so I have been told by The mustang guys at the local speed shop. With that in mind if you want power you don't "need" the conical, but it won't hurt. If you're vehicle sees the water frequently add the conical or a snorkle

After saying all this I am running the K&N FIPK. I wanted the conical to raise my "water level", I love the underhood growl, and well it looked nicer than that rubber tube.... Performance? well I do have to say that there is a mild difference . Typicall throttle response is the main thing enhanced by the addition of a conical filter. Though I suppose a dyno would likely show a couple ponies.

The Mustang is running a stock air box with K&N panel. When I upgrade the maf I will add a matching intake tube but keep the stock box and open up it's inlet through the fender with my handy dandy sawzall.