Cold Air Intake - Would This Still Work?

[Fast Eddie]

Caught this advert. I have an '04. Kit fits '98-01: For Sale - K&N Cold Air Intake System for 3.0 V6 | The Ranger Station

Is there that much difference it would be a waste of money? Could I 'make it work'? And just because I could, does that mean I should? Experiences?

TIA

 

[Dirtman]

Don't quote me on this but I believe they are different because in 02+ they changed to a different style MAF sensor so it wouldn't work with a tube made for an older model.

 

[RonD]

Rangers came with Cold Air Intakes on all fuel injected models since 1986

Its your hard earned money to spend, but IMO there are better ways to spend it than duplicating what you already have

 

[Dirtman]

Rangers came with Cold Air Intakes on all fuel injected models since 1986

Its your hard earned money to spend, but IMO there are better ways to spend it than duplicating what you already have

I refrained from getting into that debate again.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Thank you.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Just get the K&N filter that fits your stock airbox.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Just get the K&N filter that fits your stock airbox.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[Dirtman]

I use to use K&N filters for the simple fact that I like that they were re-useable. Part of me always wanted to imagine they made more power too. HOWEVER I have since changed my mind on the issue for 3 reasons.

A. They don't filter as well as a quality paper filter. You can just just look at how much more material is in a motorcraft factory air filter. Paper filters are much thicker and have way more pleats for surface area.

B. If you oil them a touch too much or don't let them dry you can ruin your MAF sensor. That's human error and if done correctly they are fine, but still.

C. There's no performance gain over the factory filter and you can see that for yourself by just running a scanner from one filter to the other. MAP numbers don't change, fuel trims numbers change, MAF numbers don't change and you would see any measurable increase in airflow by reading that data.

So I stick with motorcraft filters now... My 2 cents on K&N filters... I'm still staying out of the CAI debate.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I use to use K&N filters for the simple fact that I like that they were re-useable. Part of me always wanted to imagine they made more power too. HOWEVER I have since changed my mind on the issue for 3 reasons.

A. They don't filter as well as a quality paper filter. You can just just look at how much more material is in a motorcraft factory air filter. Paper filters are much thicker and have way more pleats for surface area.

B. If you oil them a touch too much or don't let them dry you can ruin your MAF sensor. That's human error and if done correctly they are fine, but still.

C. There's no performance gain over the factory filter and you can see that for yourself by just running a scanner from one filter to the other. MAP numbers don't change, fuel trims numbers change, MAF numbers don't change and you would see any measurable increase in airflow by reading that data.

So I stick with motorcraft filters now... My 2 cents on K&N filters... I'm still staying out of the CAI debate.

My RV has a V10 (E450) and I was told the same thing as 'B' for the same CAI question, so I'm convinced. I've been running Fram filters since my muscle car days. Not sure MC would by me a whole lot more. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I use to use K&N filters for the simple fact that I like that they were re-useable. Part of me always wanted to imagine they made more power too. HOWEVER I have since changed my mind on the issue for 3 reasons.

A. They don't filter as well as a quality paper filter. You can just just look at how much more material is in a motorcraft factory air filter. Paper filters are much thicker and have way more pleats for surface area.

B. If you oil them a touch too much or don't let them dry you can ruin your MAF sensor. That's human error and if done correctly they are fine, but still.

C. There's no performance gain over the factory filter and you can see that for yourself by just running a scanner from one filter to the other. MAP numbers don't change, fuel trims numbers change, MAF numbers don't change and you would see any measurable increase in airflow by reading that data.

So I stick with motorcraft filters now... My 2 cents on K&N filters... I'm still staying out of the CAI debate.

I use the K&N when I know I will be in dusty conditions, and/or to replace my regular filter until I get a new one when it needs to be replaced.

The oiling thing is true, gotta do it right. While there is no technical power gain, I can hear the K&N sucking air at WOT.

They filter fine, as long as its properly oiled. Air filter oil for dirt bikes is super sticky, those things suck air intensely.

 

[RonD]

Air Noise is caused by turbulence in the flow of the air, just roll down your window a bit at 60MPH to confirm
Porting and polishing is done to reduce turbulence of the air flow, so less turbulence is a good thing

Its cool to HEAR Intakes sucking in air, but it means there is turbulence in the air flow

 

[O No 3.0!]

Air Noise is caused by turbulence in the flow of the air, just roll down your window a bit at 60MPH to confirm
Porting and polishing is done to reduce turbulence of the air flow, so less turbulence is a good thing

Its cool to HEAR Intakes sucking in air, but it means there is turbulence in the air flow

Which means you have more airflow...

 

[RonD]

No, not really, lol, just more turbulence than before

Very few car makers restrict the air, or exhaust, they sell performance
Emissions is about efficiency not power
Back in the 70's and 80's engines were way less efficient so they HAD TO cut down power to lower emissions, this is no longer the case
Now they turn OFF the engines instead of idling and restart engine when its time to go, lol
And they are pulling ALOT more HP out of smaller engines these days, and not by restricting air flow

 

[O No 3.0!]

No, not really, lol, just more turbulence than before

Very few car makers restrict the air, or exhaust, they sell performance
Emissions is about efficiency not power
Back in the 70's and 80's engines were way less efficient so they HAD TO cut down power to lower emissions this is no longer the case
Now they turn OFF the engines instead of idling and restart engine when its time to go, lol
And they are pulling ALOT more HP out of smaller engines these days, and not by restricting air flow

Well, when i swapped in a k&n filter on my 97 3.0 it most definitely made a difference. I had already removed the little snorkel in the end of the airbox where it goes thru the fender. So i don't really hear any whooshing sound.

 

[RonD]

Yes, it happens, stock air systems do have failures and by passing them, vs repairing them, can get 95% of the power back

But joking aside there are some engine systems that can be improved on with after market air systems, dyno tests prove it, and K&N leads the way, it ain't much but ain't 0 either, so for sure an improvement
But if you can "hear" them it was most likely a backwards move for power