Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Allen
88Racing: I'm not convinced (willing to be, but have not as yet) that there are notable differences in power between metal and poly tubes. In "Forum Poster" type racing, of course, every fractional difference is hotly debated. I've discussed this with several engineers and they say, yeah, there is a tiny difference but the air is moving to fast to pick up much heat from a smooth tube. In the OE, plastic is used more as a weight saver and production expedient.
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I have datalogged many hours of intake air temps with turbo vehicles comparing different intake configurations. One thing I noted, the metal intake tubes almost ALWAYS had a higher intake air temp than plastic intake tubes, in the engine bay or not, regardless of filter or intake routing. Of course this testing was on a turbo vehicle where low IAT's are a vital element in producing big horsepower. The turbo heats up the AIT charge, so a low CAI is critical. The lower the temp of the air going into the turbo, the lower it'll be coming out. You'd be amazed how high the AIT gets on a turbo vehicle as it sits at a light...triples sometimes quadruples in 30 seconds-1 minute. Waiting in line at the strip was excruciating at times as I watched my IAT's climb like a tach. I was one of the guys that pushed his car most of the way up the staging lane.
So, CFM compared to IAT's...which is more important on our F150? I am taking Jim's testing results as the stock intake routing is great for CFM, as he has proven. It is in fact a true CAI, so the IAT can't possibly get any colder short of major modification to the intake charge. I don't think the DIY mod negatively affects the IAT, but I do not have the numbers to prove it...and it's difficult for me to think how it could possibly do so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Allen
Also 88Racing: I not clear on what you mean by "more air thru the stock setup" ? Yes the stock Motorcraft air filter seemed to flow a little more than the AEM panel. Was that what you mean? Or was it that the stock setup was very close to the modified system. Note that in #6, we removed the rubber downspout adapter and that's when the modified system exceeded the stock by a little.
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I wonder how a K&N compares to the AEM and stock filter? My stock filter needs replacing and I'm curious if I should get a K&N or a motorcraft? I didn't like the flexibility of the downspout connector and it sounds as if it may be detrimental to the flow if it collapses, so something else is going to go there.