Modifying stock intake

[Hamartia1]

Anyone have any tips//suggestions on how I could modify my 03 4.0 ranger's stock intake for more airflow? I currently have an aftermarket on there but I bought it a while back being naive. I want to go back to stock as I know now that it would actually provide colder air as its directed out rather than just a big thing that sits under the hood sucking up heat. Anyways back to the point. Would it be safe to maybe take a file and shave the hole out a bit to make it bigger? I'm looking at it right now, and it does look restrictive as it is.

 

[Big Jim M]

Leave it alone!

It will provide all the flow the cam and pistons can suck! A bigger intake will need a complete head job and a different camshaft. Then you will need a complete exhaust system to avail yourself of the intake ability. And NEVER use a file on anything you really like.
Big JIm

 

[dangerranger83]

It may suck colder air but it isn't going to suck more air. You cant make it suck more air unless you port and poish the heads or put a turbo on it, etc.... Ford built it right the first time around. But as for me, I'd put a custom air intake on for one reason if it could, for looks, im not worried about gaining horse power, i have a 2.8, which is far from a power plant.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

It may suck colder air but it isn't going to suck more air. You cant make it suck more air unless you port and poish the heads or put a turbo on it, etc.... Ford built it right the first time around. But as for me, I'd put a custom air intake on for one reason if it could, for looks, im not worried about gaining horse power, i have a 2.8, which is far from a power plant.

Hah yeah, the stock intake will flow all you need for a stock engine... no need to remove anything. although i keep reading about people removing the lower tube before the box...

For the 2.8l its pretty much just those chrome circle filters... they are pretty cool looking though. I have a question about my 2.8L (sorry if I'm thread jacking) I have the stock intake stuff but the tube that goes to the grille is gone so the engine is sucking post rad. hot air... how much will that hurt performance and gas mileage?

 

[dangerranger83]

My dads is doing the samething and so is mine. What I'm going to be going it the future is getting an airhat, modifing it to fit my TBI or in my dad situation carb., putting tubbing leading it to cooler air, and putting on a cone type filter. I'm not looking for house power, not that I'm really going to gain any with a 2.8, more or less good looks.

Sucking in hot air is going to effect you performance and gas mileage a bit, I would get it fixed ASAP if your really worried about it.