Should I upgrade to a cold air intake?

[thebigyellowtruck]

I have a 1997 ranger with a 2.3L. I was told that it came from the factory with a cold air intake, is this true? If not do u have any suggestions for a cheap, but good quality cold air intake i could upgrade to? Or where i might be able to find it? thanks for the help.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Yes, your truck intakes air from in front of the grill... Can't get any colder than that...

 

[thebigyellowtruck]

thank you, where the cone seals with the inner fender there is a big gap, iwill probably just have to seal the gap with permatex, unless anyone has any ideas for me. thanks.

 

[remington115]

good as is, but a kn filter would help a bit, but when you clean it and then oil it again be sure not to over oil but cause that will mess up your mass air flow sensor

 

[Bob Ayers]

good as is, but a kn filter would help a bit, but when you clean it and then oil it again be sure not to over oil but cause that will mess up your mass air flow sensor

Nope, a K&N won't do a thing but gum up the MAF sensor, IAC valve, and throttle body! The K&N will also lighten your wallet. The OEM filter in the 2.3L is the same size as used in the 3.0L, and 4.0L, so it's way over designed for the 2.3L. The OEM system is a CAI.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Nope, a K&N won't do a thing but gum up the MAF sensor, IAC valve, and throttle body! The K&N will also lighten your wallet. The OEM filter in the 2.3L is the same size as used in the 3.0L, and 4.0L, so it's way over designed for the 2.3L. The OEM system is a CAI.

+1... My 4.0L never had a problem with the exact same size filter yours has, and it sucks way more air...

 

[thebigyellowtruck]

thanks, i guess i will just have to try to find the airduct behind the headlight and hook it back up to the cone enclosure, right now its so loose im sucking mostly engine compartment air.

 

[thebigyellowtruck]

is there any way i can convert my intake duct into a ram air style system? i have an idea how to do it with some pvc pipe and some sheet steel. has anyone ever done this before or have any suggestions?

 

[Bob Ayers]

is there any way i can convert my intake duct into a ram air style system? i have an idea how to do it with some pvc pipe and some sheet steel. has anyone ever done this before or have any suggestions?

The MAF sensor was designed to accurately measure the volume of air being pulled by the engine. Anything you do (like a ram air style system) will throw the accuracy of the MAF system off, and cause you nothing but trouble.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

is there any way i can convert my intake duct into a ram air style system? i have an idea how to do it with some pvc pipe and some sheet steel. has anyone ever done this before or have any suggestions?

Ram Air doesn't work honestly... Maybe if you are going 100+ MPH all the time... I doubt you'll be doing that though...

 

[thebigyellowtruck]

thank you, i will leave it how it is, i was just wondering if there is anything i could do to increase performance, but it seems like i should just leave it how it is. Thank you.

 

[Byrd]

thank you, i will leave it how it is, i was just wondering if there is anything i could do to increase performance, but it seems like i should just leave it how it is. Thank you.

A proper tune up and an oil change will do you more for you money than just about anything else with these little 4 bangers. (better MPG, better breathing, cleaner burning, smoother rotating assy.) As far as daily drivers go at least.

After that, start looking at your wallet because actual performance is spendy with these little guys. (google esslinger )

-Byrd

 

[shadetree]

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

shady

The MAF sensor was designed to accurately measure the volume of air being pulled by the engine. Anything you do (like a ram air style system) will throw the accuracy of the MAF system off, and cause you nothing but trouble.

The MAF measures mass/density, and temperature. From that it computes volume from a set of tables. The "vane air flow" meter measures volume.

Using a so called "ram air" will not bother the sensor. You have to overcome the amount of air the system is already flowing to have enough effect to require re-tuning the maf. To supply this amount of air, you would have to move at speeds not capable by your truck. You can super/turbocharge a maf.shady

 

[Bob Ayers]

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

shady

The MAF measures mass/density, and temperature. From that it computes volume from a set of tables. The "vane air flow" meter measures volume.

Using a so called "ram air" will not bother the sensor. You have to overcome the amount of air the system is already flowing to have enough effect to require re-tuning the maf. To supply this amount of air, you would have to move at speeds not capable by your truck. You can super/turbocharge a maf.shady

Anything that causes turbulence across the MAF sensor will screw up the measurement! A supercharger, or turbocharger goes behind the MAF sensor, NOT in front of it!!

 

[wahlstrom1]

Granted I have a 4.0L that uses a lot more air, but when I installed just a filter on the end of the MAF using a plumbing adapter flange I noticed quite a difference (for the better) in throttle response and in addition to a free'r flowing exhaust noticed a mileage increase as well.

I used the top left adapter shown in the link and hooked it straight to the MAF on mine with the filter mounted on the 3" flange.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/airintake.htm