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Home grown intake mod

TheBurlyMan

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#1
First thing - I have no idea if this mod I came up with is/will result in measurable power gains…BUT, I am new to this platform and had an order for the S&B intake that kept getting delayed week after week, so I cancelled the order and improvised. The butt dyno is telling me this made a noticeable improvement, and the increased intake sound is killer. IF this made a difference, I believe it was because I was already running a ZFG (DMS) 91oct tune on an otherwise completely stock motor. Here is what I did:

Standard K&N drop in filter
3” 90deg intake elbow
3” insulated tubing (Normally use for brake duct cooling)
3” worm gear clamps

The only location in the box that also allows for clean routing of the tube is on the back right (near the factory inlet). I drilled the box using 2 3/4” hole bit, and opened up the hole very slowly by hand to get a very tight press fit of the elbow. I used 3” clamps to hold the tube onto the elbow and ran the tube alongside the stock routing into an opening below. I will keep the group updated, but for a nearly stock look with minimal $$ I think this is going to be a winner. I can provide the exact parts I used if any one is interested.
 

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UNBROKEN

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Hate to be the voice of reason here but there’s effectively no power to be had with any intake mod, until you’re into the upper end of modding and even then it’s a maybe. Stock aside from a 91 tune there’s literally no difference at all. That’s just the facts of the matter.
 

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GearHead_1

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#3
Your butt is lying to you.
 

2020FordRaptor

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#4
Sound I can believe, increase in any sort of power or response, I cannot. It’s known intakes don’t do anything on this platform.
 

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TheBurlyMan

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Thread Starter #5
I know everyone has the historical data to backup that intakes make no difference. I was simply trying to eliminate the mere chance it was choking the motor given it had a tune on it. That said - everyone here is telling me that a completely stock airbox with stock filter, will flow the exact same amount as what I’ve done to the box and changing to a K&N - all on a ZFG tune? I don’t believe that for a minute.
 

UNBROKEN

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I know everyone has the historical data to backup that intakes make no difference. I was simply trying to eliminate the mere chance it was choking the motor given it had a tune on it. That said - everyone here is telling me that a completely stock airbox with stock filter, will flow the exact same amount as what I’ve done to the box and changing to a K&N - all on a ZFG tune? I don’t believe that for a minute.
No…what everyone is telling you is the stock airbox with your drop in filter will flow more than your ZFG 91 tune will ever call for. The engine can only ingest so much air.
Like it or not, your addition didn’t affect anything. We’re not here to be yes men…we’ll shoot straight with you.
 

2020FordRaptor

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#7
I know everyone has the historical data to backup that intakes make no difference. I was simply trying to eliminate the mere chance it was choking the motor given it had a tune on it. That said - everyone here is telling me that a completely stock airbox with stock filter, will flow the exact same amount as what I’ve done to the box and changing to a K&N - all on a ZFG tune? I don’t believe that for a minute.
Well yes, maybe the new custom stock airbox will flow more maximum airflow, but the engine will never need that extra airflow for the build your at. I explain it in depth in this article:

https://explorerst.wordpress.com/2025/05/16/lets-talk-intakes-2/
 

GearHead_1

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I could have said it differently, but not any better than Unbroken did. The short answer is simply that your stock CAI can flow more air than your ZFG Tuned engine will ask for, no matter how far your foot is through the floorboard. As far as your Butt Dyno goes, your ears may be playing tricks on your sit down part.
 

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TheBurlyMan

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Thread Starter #9
Understood and well said gentlemen. Now only if I could put some larger billet BB turbos on this thing. I am looking forward to getting my CP-e FMIC and downpipes installed!! They’re both sitting in the garage and it’s driving me nuts! I just need to find the time.
 



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