Real cold air intake = cut out plastic behind grill

[BigMeatsBronco]

So like a few others I bought one of these cold air intakes. It's just an overhyped extra big K&N filter in my case I bought the K&N brand. There similar to many of the other overpriced plastic air boxes with a big filter. Like others, mine has an open top for extra air to get in there, which is fine if the air is cold however at low vehicle speed you get a lot of air coming off the top of the engine that is ultra heated. I doubt I'm the only one, but I have had codes thrown showing intake air temperature out of range. After purchasing a new intake air temperature sensor and installing it I still had the same problem. I also noticed that after slow speed driving and then pulling out onto a main road and goosing it, the power was reduced from the extra heat in the intake tract and under the hood. My solution was to get more cold air into the original air opening. I got out the Dremel and a razor blade and opened up the area directly in front of the air cleaner, behind the grill. I removed several inches of plastic and created a new air path for fresh air to go directly through the grill on the passenger side, and straight into the air cleaner itself. I noticed a huge Improvement in overall driveability and much less heat soak from low speed driving. Additionally the code has gone away and I don't have any problems with over temperature intake air any longer. Here are a couple of pictures of my slice and dice job.

With the FP tune and REAL cold air intake, and muffler delete, and 110 octane, the engine approaching 400 hp now.

a concern might be water fording, but with 2" lift and 40s, my air intake, on the air cleaner housing, is 48" above ground level, so I'm not worried about water crossings.

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[dgorsett]

As usual for BMB: Sees Problem, Fixes Problem. I've always wondered why folks call them Cold Air Intakes as most source air from the hot engine compartment rather than the grill area like stock.

 

[Toccoa]

For some really cold air, add a fan and some ice.

 

[new to bronco]

do you get snow? part of the reason they block off the area directly in front of the air cleaner is to avoid snow packing/clogging the air filter...

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

For some really cold air, add a fan and some ice.

nope, the real way it's done is to put in nice big a/c evaporator in the intake tube, remove the innercooler and use Ice cold Freon instead. it's been done with great success.


fun read


http://www.speedhunters.com/2017/08/using-ac-for-a-cooler-boost-charge/

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

do you get snow? part of the reason they block off the area directly in front of the air cleaner is to avoid snow packing/clogging the air filter...

Naw not enough to stick to the headlights...lol. maybe 2 days outta the year we get a couple inches here and there. not enough to concern me. If I drove though a blizzard I'd stuff a towel or old sweatshirt in there for the trip tho.

 

[Ninjak]

Depends on what intake you have. My Injen has a huge opening and is sealed from the rest of the engine bay. So the cooler air is actually coming into the intake.

 

[Aonarch]

Don’t do it. There are reasons why the engineers didn’t.

 

[Toccoa]

Don’t do it. There are reasons why the engineers didn’t.

@BigMeatsBronco doesn’t fear the storm. He is the storm.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Depends on what intake you have. My Injen has a huge opening and is sealed from the rest of the engine bay. So the cooler air is actually coming into the intake.

Yeah I've looked at that one, but it ALSO pulls air from the upper fender area( at low speed) right above the turbo....correct?

additionally the lower portion is more square than the rounded K&N and would definitely interfere with my tire and wheel travel combination. I moved my air cleaner assembly up 1 full inch from OEM.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

Don’t do it. There are reasons why the engineers didn’t.

true, but mostly because of Karen's and Attys...not mechanical factors. reminds me of the seat belt recall....it was for the fat and lazys....ROFL

 

[Ninjak]

Yeah I've looked at that one, but it ALSO pulls air from the upper fender area( at low speed) right above the turbo....correct?

additionally the lower portion is more square than the rounded K&N and would definitely interfere with my tire and wheel travel combination. I moved my air cleaner assembly up 1 full inch from OEM.

Hmm no. My airbox does not pull below the turbo. There is an opening for the upcoming snorkel feature, but I have that closed off. As for lift, I am on 37's and I have a 4' fabtech lift. No issues with travel or suspension so far.

 

[Raptor Guy]

If I had a dollar for every time I've had to say this...

CAI's are WORTHLESS on turbo motors! You're wasting money for a net zero performance improvement.

 

[mikec426]

Why?

 

[kodiakisland]

Why?

Probably due to the turbo heating the air. A more efficient intercooler may be more productive. Just guessing.

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