• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


FenFab Intake Install Instructions

Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
#1
A quick install guide for the Fenfab Instake. I had A LOT of help from Brett, Tyler, Chris, Billy, and Er Ick on the FB page in doing this install. Note that I have the JLT catch can, the UPR requires a little diff process.

Watch Billy's Youtube video first to get a good idea of the process. Link:

It's a good idea to unpack everything and do a quick fit up of the intake assembly. You will have 3x intake pipes (pass side, driver turbo inlet, and collector/filter assy), 2x black vacuum fittings, 1x npt to 1/2" barb fitting, a 3/8" hose, a 1/2" hose, a junction box (JB), and zip ties.

Tools Required:
Basic sockets and extension, deep sockets a plus. I think you use 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 1/4".
Hose clamp pliers or vice grips
Sufficient lighting!
Box knife

Steps do not need to be followed in this order, just how I did the install.

Step 1 - Remove strut tower brace

Step 2 - Remove OEM air box assembly. Unclip 2x clamps on pass side, unscrew clamps on each side, remove lid, twist the air sensor and pull out, remove 10mm bolt on back side of box, pull up on lower portion of box to remove (give it a good tug).

Step 3 - Remove OEM intake tubes. Disconnect the aux vacuum hoses from the driver side intake, there are 4. Pass side is a screw clamp (not at the turbo inlet), driver side is a hose clamp that is right at the turbo inlet. I bought a set of hose clamp pliers off Amazon, made quick work of it. Also you will need to remove the recirc hose from the BOV at the BOV port. Keep the other side connected to the OEM intake pipe.

Step 4 - Remove factory air snorkel. FIRST REMOVE THE AIR SENSOR ON THE INTERCOOLER!!!!! This requires a 27 torx bit. You can pull the snorkel out without having to remove the bumper. If you don't remove the air sensor then you will more than likely break it as I did. Fortunately for me the dealer down the street had one in stock.

Step 5. - Fit in the Fenfab intake pipes. I started with the driver side turbo inlet first. Tighten the silicone adapter to the FF pipe first, then slide on to the turbo inlet, slightly tighten the inlet but not all the way.

Step 6 - Install the air filter / merge collector piping. Don't tighten all the clamps just yet. Once the pipe is in go ahead and put the frame bolt in that attaches the intake to the wheel arch. Make sure you install the air sensor in the grommet, just twist it in until it's flush.

Step 7 - Install passenger side intake pipe. Once it's in wiggle everything around and once it's all fit up go ahead and tighten the clamps.

Now on to the aux vacuum hoses. This part confused me at first, so with the help of Billy, Chris, Tyler, Er Ick, and Brett I was able to get everything lined up. The Fenfab intake comes with a black 3-way junction box, or JB.

Step 8 - install the 2x black vacuum fittings that came with the FF kit, I put the small one on the pass side, large one on driver side. Make sure you don't lose the o-ring on the smaller one. Connect the driver side wastegate connector to the small fitting. Ref yellow circle in pic.

Step 9 - Remove the OEM hose from the upper driver side intercooler. Slide on the 3/8" hose from the FF kit on the fitting, secure with a zip tie. I used a bigger zip tie for this rather than one from the FF kit.

Step 10 - Remove the OEM fitting on top of the tee on the top side of the intake manifold (ref red circle in pic). Connect the other end of the 3/8" hose here.

Step 11 - You know the orange "tamper proof" OEM connector that causes all the fits for the UPR catch can? yeah, we get to mess with that again. I used a razor to gently cut the OEM hose off the connector, leaving the connector in the manifold. Attach the 1/2" hose from the FF kit to the orange connector, secure with zip tie. Install the 1/2" NPT to barb fitting in the FF intake pipe and connect the other side of the 1/2" hose to the fitting, securing with zip tie. Ref orange circle and line in pic.

Step 12 - Locate the JB on this 1/2 hose and secure with zip ties. Remember the 3/8" hose we installed in steps 9 and 10? We are going to cut that hose and connect the bottom fitting on the JB to the tee fitting on the intake maifold (ref red circle and line in pic).

Step 13 - connect the driver side fitting of JB to the intercooler connection (ref purple circle in pic)

Step 14 - connect passenger side fitting of JB to large black vacuum fitting in the intake (ref green line and circle in pic)

Double check all of your connections, start up your ST and as long as there are no vacuum leaks you will have normal idle and no CEL. Again, HUGE thank you to the guys on the HP Exp ST page - Billy, Chris, Tyler, Er Ick, and Brett. Everything fit great. Took about 45min to remove the OEM intake and install the FF intake piping. A few FB messages with these guys and had the aux vacuum lines sorted out in no time.

FF Intake.jpg
 

Last edited:
OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #2
20211025_132143.jpg

looking forward from driver side wheel well. Showing frame attach bolt, air filter, air sensor installation, and intercooler hose connection.
 

OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #3
20211025_132150.jpg

showing driver side merge collector, frame attach bolt, and junction box with aux vacuum hose connections.
 

OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #4
20211025_132201.jpg

Showing passenger side band clamps, 10mm nuts on these.
 

OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #5
Now to remove the OEM airbox support bracket, reinstall the STB, and get a 3rd gear pull for ZFG. Hoping the weather cooperates on Thursday so I can hit the drag strip for a few passes.
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,416
Reactions
1,132
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#6
The link provided doesn't appear to be to a YouTube.
 

Messages
36
Reactions
7
Points
2
Location
St. Catharines, ON, Canada
Vehicle
21 ST
#9
Great post and info. Sweet beads!!! Love their workmanship. Wish people could see my downpipes, there like jewels!
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,691
Reactions
1,449
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#10
No doubt, his welding is art.
 

zdubyadubya

Active Member
Messages
813
Reactions
629
Points
232
Location
Utah
Vehicle
2020 ST
#11
I always thought I did a good job until I put mine up next to his.... yeah... i have a ways to go. i blame the fact I don't have a turntable. :ROFLMAO:

IMG_2374.JPG
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,691
Reactions
1,449
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#12
Your welds are also very high quality!
 

Norvgen

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
31
Reactions
14
Points
2
Location
Sun City West, AZ, USA
Vehicle
2020 EXPLORER ST
#13
A quick install guide for the Fenfab Instake. I had A LOT of help from Brett, Tyler, Chris, Billy, and Er Ick on the FB page in doing this install. Note that I have the JLT catch can, the UPR requires a little diff process.

Watch Billy's Youtube video first to get a good idea of the process. Link:

It's a good idea to unpack everything and do a quick fit up of the intake assembly. You will have 3x intake pipes (pass side, driver turbo inlet, and collector/filter assy), 2x black vacuum fittings, 1x npt to 1/2" barb fitting, a 3/8" hose, a 1/2" hose, a junction box (JB), and zip ties.

Tools Required:
Basic sockets and extension, deep sockets a plus. I think you use 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 1/4".
Hose clamp pliers or vice grips
Sufficient lighting!
Box knife

Steps do not need to be followed in this order, just how I did the install.

Step 1 - Remove strut tower brace

Step 2 - Remove OEM air box assembly. Unclip 2x clamps on pass side, unscrew clamps on each side, remove lid, twist the air sensor and pull out, remove 10mm bolt on back side of box, pull up on lower portion of box to remove (give it a good tug).

Step 3 - Remove OEM intake tubes. Disconnect the aux vacuum hoses from the driver side intake, there are 4. Pass side is a screw clamp (not at the turbo inlet), driver side is a hose clamp that is right at the turbo inlet. I bought a set of hose clamp pliers off Amazon, made quick work of it. Also you will need to remove the recirc hose from the BOV at the BOV port. Keep the other side connected to the OEM intake pipe.

Step 4 - Remove factory air snorkel. FIRST REMOVE THE AIR SENSOR ON THE INTERCOOLER!!!!! This requires a 27 torx bit. You can pull the snorkel out without having to remove the bumper. If you don't remove the air sensor then you will more than likely break it as I did. Fortunately for me the dealer down the street had one in stock.

Step 5. - Fit in the Fenfab intake pipes. I started with the driver side turbo inlet first. Tighten the silicone adapter to the FF pipe first, then slide on to the turbo inlet, slightly tighten the inlet but not all the way.

Step 6 - Install the air filter / merge collector piping. Don't tighten all the clamps just yet. Once the pipe is in go ahead and put the frame bolt in that attaches the intake to the wheel arch. Make sure you install the air sensor in the grommet, just twist it in until it's flush.

Step 7 - Install passenger side intake pipe. Once it's in wiggle everything around and once it's all fit up go ahead and tighten the clamps.

Now on to the aux vacuum hoses. This part confused me at first, so with the help of Billy, Chris, Tyler, Er Ick, and Brett I was able to get everything lined up. The Fenfab intake comes with a black 3-way junction box, or JB.

Step 8 - install the 2x black vacuum fittings that came with the FF kit, I put the small one on the pass side, large one on driver side. Make sure you don't lose the o-ring on the smaller one. Connect the driver side wastegate connector to the small fitting. Ref yellow circle in pic.

Step 9 - Remove the OEM hose from the upper driver side intercooler. Slide on the 3/8" hose from the FF kit on the fitting, secure with a zip tie. I used a bigger zip tie for this rather than one from the FF kit.

Step 10 - Remove the OEM fitting on top of the tee on the top side of the intake manifold (ref red circle in pic). Connect the other end of the 3/8" hose here.

Step 11 - You know the orange "tamper proof" OEM connector that causes all the fits for the UPR catch can? yeah, we get to mess with that again. I used a razor to gently cut the OEM hose off the connector, leaving the connector in the manifold. Attach the 1/2" hose from the FF kit to the orange connector, secure with zip tie. Install the 1/2" NPT to barb fitting in the FF intake pipe and connect the other side of the 1/2" hose to the fitting, securing with zip tie. Ref orange circle and line in pic.

Step 12 - Locate the JB on this 1/2 hose and secure with zip ties. Remember the 3/8" hose we installed in steps 9 and 10? We are going to cut that hose and connect the bottom fitting on the JB to the tee fitting on the intake maifold (ref red circle and line in pic).

Step 13 - connect the driver side fitting of JB to the intercooler connection (ref purple circle in pic)

Step 14 - connect passenger side fitting of JB to large black vacuum fitting in the intake (ref green line and circle in pic)

Double check all of your connections, start up your ST and as long as there are no vacuum leaks you will have normal idle and no CEL. Again, HUGE thank you to the guys on the HP Exp ST page - Billy, Chris, Tyler, Er Ick, and Brett. Everything fit great. Took about 45min to remove the OEM intake and install the FF intake piping. A few FB messages with these guys and had the aux vacuum lines sorted out in no time.

View attachment 8246
Thanks for the video. I used this to install my Fenfab. Everything went smooth.
 

MWMKID

New Member
Messages
1
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Middletown
Vehicle
2020 Ford Explorer ST
#14
Did you have a plug to cap off where you removed the recirc hose from the stock BOV?
 

OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #15
Did you have a plug to cap off where you removed the recirc hose from the stock BOV?
If using the FenFab intake you will vent your BOV to atmosphere, no plug needed. There are no provisions in the FenFab intake to reroute the BOV discharge back to the intake.

Are you in Middletown, OH?
 

travish325

Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
55
Reactions
30
Points
17
Location
KY
Vehicle
2020 ST
#16
I installed mine today but what is this instruction?



"Step 4 - Remove factory air snorkel. FIRST REMOVE THE AIR SENSOR ON THE INTERCOOLER!!!!! This requires a 27 torx bit. You can pull the snorkel out without having to remove the bumper. If you don't remove the air sensor then you will more than likely break it as I did. Fortunately for me the dealer down the street had one in stock."



I did not have to remove any sensor with a 27 torx bit. Where is this at and how did you get to it?
 

OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #17
I installed mine today but what is this instruction?

I did not have to remove any sensor with a 27 torx bit. Where is this at and how did you get to it?
There is a sensor on the driver side of the intercooler, located just next to the factory air snorkel. If you have upgraded your intercooler then you pulled it from the OEM and had to reinstall on your new IC.

what part of KY are you in? I'm in Mason (Cincy) and can help if needed.
 

travish325

Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
55
Reactions
30
Points
17
Location
KY
Vehicle
2020 ST
#18
There is a sensor on the driver side of the intercooler, located just next to the factory air snorkel. If you have upgraded your intercooler then you pulled it from the OEM and had to reinstall on your new IC.

what part of KY are you in? I'm in Mason (Cincy) and can help if needed.
I'm near Louisville. I guess maybe I didn't remove the entire snorkel? The intake and filter all fits perfect though. I didn't see a sensor anywhere or anyway to get to it, also I'm still on the stock intercooler
 

OP
twin001
Messages
354
Reactions
248
Points
37
Location
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Thread Starter #19
yeah, if you are still on the stock IC and kept the snorkel in then you wouldn't have to worry about it. When you do the IC check this video, the sensor is at the ~7:53min mark
 

RandomPilot

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
42
Reactions
35
Points
12
Location
Lexington, Ky
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#20
There is a sensor on the driver side of the intercooler, located just next to the factory air snorkel. If you have upgraded your intercooler then you pulled it from the OEM and had to reinstall on your new IC.

what part of KY are you in? I'm in Mason (Cincy) and can help if needed.
You’re in cincy? Might need some help installing mine and the inter cooler if you accept cold beer as payment. I’m in Lexington and would gladly drive up.
 



Top