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Cold air intake for the Ecoboost? Good idea?

23K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  mgore03 
#1 ·
So I was planning on putting a K&N air filter and cold air intake on my transit (with the 3.5) whenever it arrives. However, based on some other posts I'm thinking this isn't necessarily a good idea. Has anyone done this with good results (more power, better fuel economy etc..)? Are there other upgrades that are beneficial and don't void the factory warranty? (I'm really more of a "wannabe gear head", so my assumptions for what is good for an engine aren't always correct) Thanks for any advice!
 
#4 ·
Uni makes a good filter. They are oiled so they would not absorb water, and they filter finer grit with less restriction than a K&N. Unfortunately, they are better suited to small engines and race applications, as the volume of dirt needed to be captured in a car sized motor means you would be servicing them a lot.
 
#8 ·
Where does the intake air come from stock? I thought most new cars already had a pipe running into the fender / behind the light - effectively already a cold air intake.

Just went out to look at my current vehicles. Both - a '15 NV200 and a '98 S10 - hardly high performance vehicles - came that way from the factory. In the case of the Nissan the duct seems a bit small, so I could possibly make a case for installing a larger intake so it can breathe better but otherwise I don't think an aftermarket system would help much.

In the specific case of the Transit, an aftermarket filter box could certainly be a benefit.
 
#18 ·
I haven't received mine yet, so I can't go out and look at it. But I'm confused how we have a filter element that gets flooded with water.
you should take a look at this thread: http://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/ford-transit-service/9593-air-filter-nightmare.html

summary: the filter box is constructed in such a way that water pouring on top of it can enter the box and soak the filter. the hood and windshield drainage on 2015 vans was (mis)designed such that water could regularly enter the engine compartmen, and end up on the filter box.

if you're getting a 2016, you'll have the fixed drainage already -- it's a TSB (or whatever they call it) for earlier models.
 
#12 ·
If you look at where the intake air is coming in now for it pretty much is a cold air intake. It is down low enough and it is not sucking in hot air from the engine compartment. I don't think I would bother spending the money on it. But if anyone does install one I would love to see if it makes any difference. But unless you are putting in on a Dyno to measure before and after it would be very subjective as to weather it makes a difference. This is all before mentioning the above posts that talk about the K&N letting in more debris or being oiled.
 
#13 ·
I would use one of the filters from a company like stage5 that is not oiled. There are AFE intakes for the F150 but I'm sure there is more room in that engine bay. All the intakes for the F150 claim mid 30's for HP increase. On our de-tuned transit that probably translates to mid 20's. But the increase in power would be a secondary benefit, I'm more interested in eliminating the water problem if indeed the factory fix isn't good enough.
 
#14 · (Edited)
From what I have seen the intake for the air box is just behind the grill so a person should make sure not to pressure wash too heavily in that area.

I've been meaning to go under mine and see if there is a drain hole in the intake to let water out if this was ever to happen. Rather than let it pool and evaporate or be ingested.

I won't go into huge detail as there is a huge thread on it but the reason to do away with the airbox itself is just the design flaw in it almost being built upside down. The lid sits inside the bottom half allowing it to let water pool in the channel that the two meet, that coupled with water from the large windshield directing water into this area creates the problem in my humble opinion.

Would I buy a different airbox if a better one was made , **** yes!Would I try a cold air intake and do away with this box and try and let this twin turbo engine breath better **** yes again but it would have to be a good proven design. Ford already had us Guinea Pig their poor design , if need to see some results in performance , filtration and also in water mitigation to be sold.

It's amazing how much room is actually in the engine compartment to work with.

Wow nanny state won't even let you say "He ll" on here ?
 
#17 ·
There isn't an I take system available AFAIK so it'll have to be custom made.

If it's not in the grille area it won't get cool air but better flow and protection from water would make it nice.

I would also love a way to hear my turbos spooling up more and usually aftermarket intakes will do that.

A ton of engineering has gone into oiled filters and they have probably hundreds of millions of miles on them. I would use one if there was such a system available.
 
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