What is the HOT / Favored Air Intake system for the new Ford? - Page 2 - Diesel Forum

bbartels · 07-10-2003, 11:27 AM

Before changing your Intake system I would ask you why??? You better have some tests that show a significant increase in air flow with the same OR BETTER filtration!!! The turbo fins in the 6.0 are very, very touchy!! Infact if you would use the element that is used on the 7.3 you would dust it very quickly!
So better do your homework and buy a pair of white cotton gloves to wipe the intake tube after you installed your intake system! I bet you will go back to stock within 5,000 miles!!

My advise to 6.0L owners: DONT TOUCH! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

By the way, the 6.0L filter system is now available for the 7.3L from Ford<---- I have seen what happens when dirt gets in the TURBO!

Gale Simpson · 07-10-2003, 08:46 PM

I no expert on the air filtration system but quite a few guys on the site are running aftermarket systems and I haven't heard of any problems.

GWA · 07-10-2003, 08:56 PM

Many of us operate in dusty areas, and the main concern is that even though the aftermarket units flow well, there is a small sacrifice in cleaning efficiency. You do NOT want ANY dust going into that motor. 99% efficiency allows 1% to enter. I can live with a bit of restriction if my motor will live longer. The Donaldson unit is supposed to be very free-flowing while still getting more dirt than any other design out there. The aircleaner is the first line of defense. No compromise is affordable here.

Gale Simpson · 07-10-2003, 11:31 PM

GWA
I understand what you are saying about the dust.
I just find it hard to believe with all the problems with the 6.0 and I've had my share that Ford somehow has a air filter that can't be improved upon.

bikenut · 07-10-2003, 11:49 PM

[ QUOTE ]
GWA
I understand what you are saying about the dust.
I just find it hard to believe with all the problems with the 6.0 and I've had my share that Ford somehow has a air filter that can't be improved upon.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL! Sad, but true. Good point.

Actually the 6.0L that International has been using is a great motor, it got all its problems when Ford touched it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]
But I'll give credit on the Torqshift!

BTW, Im Still waiting for my K&N Intake system to get through testing....

**DIESELSITE** · 07-11-2003, 02:51 AM

Just out of curiosity, what is the International version running? A Donaldson?

And what makes this turbo wheel so much more sensitive than any other out there? The turbine side is the odd part. The Compressor side is normal.
Bob

frobozz · 07-11-2003, 07:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
GWA
I understand what you are saying about the dust.
I just find it hard to believe with all the problems with the 6.0 and I've had my share that Ford somehow has a air filter that can't be improved upon.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well the important thing to note about that is that Ford, for once, didn't design the air filter! They just went to the experts. While it looks like they could have improved upon how tightly it's squeezed in the engine compartment (yikes!) it otherwise looks like an incredibly good setup, and if you've got a limited upgrade budget for your truck I'd think you could more effectively spend it on other things first.

Ford actually had Donaldson design a version of this filter for the 7.3L Superduties, which people seem to be gladly shelling out the $200 for - it finally fixes all the longstanding stupid problems with the original setup on those trucks!

Duncan

bbartels · 07-11-2003, 10:22 AM

I am sure that the Air Filter can be improved on but with my experience at the dealership people with a aftermarket intake/filter system dont maintain it like the people do with stock. First probably because most quick lube joints and dealerships dont offer to clean or replace non OEM filters. I have people come in here all the time with K&N systems that think that they dont have to clean the filter for 1,000,000 miles. Seriously!!

Ford is trying to protect themselves from idiots and I have run into a few!
I can tell you first hand that my MAC intake is horrible for filtering dirt, I love the way it sounds but it is not worth dusting my motor. I was thinking about trying it again with one of those socks that go over the cone filter but all I am doing is restricting air flow and then how much better over stock am I??
I just put a new air fliter (stock) every 3000 miles!

I might try that new 6.0 filter system for the 7.3??

George C · 07-11-2003, 11:15 AM

After getting tempted to get performance stuff again, I've decided to stay with the stock set up.
Paper is the best, and air quality on a diesel is incredibly improtant. More so than a gas engine.
I like my turbo and compression just the way it is.

guardrail22 · 07-16-2003, 10:02 PM

the key parameters here are # sq ft of filter area and the mesh or fineness of the element for remving particles.

if you can pleat together more surface area in an element that will fit in the canister, you will pass more air for the same pressure drop thru the filter.

I've found on my SportTrac, SuperCrew, F150 and Ranger that the real restriction is not the filter element. It is the snorkle and tube that the air enters thru and travels thru to get to the filter.

Open up the intake and leave the stock element is the way to do it.

GWA · 07-16-2003, 10:09 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Open up the intake and leave the stock element is the way to do it.

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree. Do you see any "choke zones" in the stock 6.0 setup? It LOOKS to be fairly free-flowing to me, but I am far from being an expert on such matters. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/vulnerable.gif[/img] Anybody out there wanna shed some light on this?
[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

mjstef · 07-22-2003, 11:37 PM

Could you leave the front off th housing???? Also what is the 1 1/2 inch tube going over towards the battery from the front of the airbox????

boostfed · 07-23-2003, 10:15 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Could you leave the front off th housing???? Also what is the 1 1/2 inch tube going over towards the battery from the front of the airbox????

[/ QUOTE ]

When I nuked the stock PCV system, removal of the air filter was required. As far as I could observe, the main purpose of the front section of the housing is to make the air filter a PITA to remove. This piece has been on a shelf in my garage for almost 2 months.

One other thing I noted is that the airbox snorkel is stuffed into the back of a closed section of the grille. For the bold individual, a few well-placed holes thru this (not very visible) section of the grille would net true cold-air induction. I am still pondering whether or no to do this due to possible water entry.

With a fair degree of confidence I believe the flexible tube is a noise damping device. Without the front section of the air filter housing installed, a moderate amount of go-pedal produces a sound similar to an early-70's Lincoln with the 4-barrel open. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

guardrail22 · 07-23-2003, 10:37 PM

there is a pattern to their madness

2001 Explorer Sportrac - took off snorkle leading thru fender well and installed K&N. Noticable gain in ooomph.

2001 F150 superCrew - removed snorkle and cut off front of funnel on front of filter housing. Installed K&N. Noticable gain in ooomph.

Looking at the way they build these intakes they are drawing air thru from a realtively clean low temp area in front of the grill or under the fender. The air runs thru a venturi shaped tube and into the box with the filter element in it.

If you eliminate the restriction of the snorkle, you get more air flow because pressure drop is decreased. Add a filter with more area and you get even more. The trade off is you are getting warmer air into the engine and higher inlet air temp = lower power. Gut feel says the increase in air flow more than offsets the temp effect.

A first attempt might be to see if removal of the front provides improvement. Next chnage to a different element, like a K&N.

I haven't played with this one yet.

PoppaSmurf · 07-28-2003, 03:41 PM

Too bad you can't connect two factory type air cleaners in parallel so that you can maintain a significant level of particle filtration while increasing your air flow. Remember the old semi tractors that had an air cleaner on each side of the cab?

The snorkle device appears to be attempting to pull fresh air from along side the radiator without pulling in rain. I remember reading a post here where someone enlarged this opening and ended up pulling in more rain/bugs and was having to change/clean their filter element more frequently.

Perhaps a RAM-AIR type hood with the ability to separate the rain from the cool incoming air is a better solution. Certainly not a cheap solution.

So many upgrade toys, so little money!

Happy Truckin,
Brian.