What is this and is it stock?

[Markek]

After googling it looks like this is a cold air intake. What is it for?

Is it stock or was it added?

Thanks,

 

[Turdle]

No that is neither stock , nor is it a cold air intake. Much hype, no deliver. That will actually suck in warm air from under the hood. Unless it is insulated with a fresh air duct, it is not a cold air intake.

Looks almost like KKM

 

[Markek]

What is it supposed to do?

Am I missing something on it? Is it worth keeping?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Turdle]

Worth keeping is matter of opinion. You may like the louder intake sound. I like the stock air box myself for cooler air, but your results may vary. What are your goals, uses for the sport trac?

 

[istroo]

It's a K&N "induction" kit. Pricey and basically just makes the truck sound better. If it was already there I would keep it, just my opinion.

 

[Markek]

Truck is new to me so I'm not sure what it sounded like before. Really do not hear anything out of the ordinary now.

I bought the truck mostly for my 17 yr. old to use for back and forth to school and occasional use for me for mulch, lumber, misc, etc.

Does it help in anyway having it?

I really can't see me removing it.

 

[Turdle]

OK, it has a serviceable element which you clean and re oil. You will need to wait 24 hours at least for it to dry completely before re oiling. This alone makes me hate re usable filters. Also, it has been documented that improper oiling can and will damage the MAF sensor ( tube assembly between air tube and filter) . I would at the least replace the oiled element with a good quality paper filter.

Just My .02

 

[istroo]

They claim it provides more horsepower and better mileage. When I foolishly purchased one many years ago for my Ranger it just made it sound throatier.
The filter is supposed to basically be lifetime and can be cleaned. After it is dry it gets a very light coating of oil. I also spray out the MAF sensor at this time because they say the oil fouls it although I never had any problems.

 

[swshawaii]

Agree. The small HP and torque gains occur well above 3000 RPM. Unless you are driving at wide open throttle, the benefits are small, if any. You WILL get more intake sound, and MPG increases are not claimed by K&N. Highly debated subject, search "cold air intake", it's actually an OPEN air intake that ingests WARM engine bay air. The stock intake is close to a cold air intake you will find.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=57-2529-1

http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/77-2529_dyno.pdf

 

[Markek]

Hmmm some interesting thoughts. By the sound of it no one seems to think it's worth the money. But since I didn't pay for it I don't have to worry about that part of it. The question is it worth keeping and if not how hard it is to remove and put back to stock.

I don't think I'm too wild about any maintenance with it. Although it doesn't seem to need it until around 100,000 miles but I'm assuming that's after it was installed and I only have 70,000 on the sport trac.

 

[swshawaii]

Most important maintenance with the 2001-05 Sport Trac's are the transmission and timing chain guides. Check the tranny fluid for a burnt smell and dark color. If so, a pan drop and filter change is probably the best thing to do. Regarding timing chain tensioners, it's not if, but when they let go. Some have failed below 70k, a few other are approaching 300k without noise or issues. Routine oil and filter changes are critically important. The factory spark plug interval is 100k, but that's approaching 15 years if they're original.

 

[istroo]

I think he is talking about the K&N filter. You can always sell the K&N and purchase the Amsoil version which only requires to be vacuumed out once a year I believe.
Converting it back to OEM would likely be cost prohibitive. I know junk yards here in MI are ridiculous on prices, usually just better off to buy new.

 

[swshawaii]

Wow, I was way off topic. Oh well, just a reminder for all you 4.0L SOHC and 5R55E owners out there. (As if you needed one)

 

[Markek]

Agree. The small HP and torque gains occur well above 3000 RPM. Unless you are driving at wide open throttle, the benefits are small, if any. You WILL get more intake sound, and MPG increases are not claimed by K&N. Highly debated subject, search "cold air intake", it's actually an OPEN air intake that ingests WARM engine bay air. The stock intake is close to a cold air intake you will find.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=57-2529-1

http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/77-2529_dyno.pdf

I finally drove the Trac today (my son doesn't like giving it up) and never even got close to going above 3000 RPM's. The truck seems to go pretty slow, or maybe that's just the way I drive, but I guess I wouldn't know if I gained any horsepower.

 

[swshawaii]

IMO, the 4.0L SOHC is under powered in this 4500 pound brick. It's also what contributes to poor city mileage. I'm lucky to get
10-11 MPG. Once I get to highway cruising speed around 2000 RPM, I can easily get 20 MPG with minimal stopping. I'm certain
my 3:73 gearing and street tires help with highway mileage, but accelerating from dead stops is an absolute MPG killer.