Cheap modifications

From Boosted Tech

Welcome to Part #1 of Cheap Modifications to your E series.

Today were talking about "Air Intake Mods"

One downfall for the EA to ED models are their air intake snorkels and in the case of EB2/ED their throttle body piping. But Ill talk about that later. The EA intake snorkel is pretty asthmatic. I have no idea why Ford used this style with a large round cylinder around it. The EB2/ED snorkel isn't much better than the EA one, but can be better. The EF/EL flow pretty well from stock but there is always room for improvement.

Some things you can do for your EA/EB/ED

1. Install an ED snorkel (Ignore if EB2/ED owner since you have it) I noticed very little difference to no difference from the EA snorkel. I wouldn't bother unless you have it lying around or are given one.

2. Install a XH snorkel Around $35 from your local ford dealership. This allows a lot more air to enter your air box and in some case's is noticeable. My old motor revved out a lot better with the XH snorkel, but no difference with the new motor.

3. Install a Pod Filter. This is a very popular item at the moment. Installing it to the end of your throttle body piping without containing it in an air box is unroadworthy and illegal. It also doesn't allow cold air to enter the filter as your sucking your engine bay temperature air in. You can modify your EA/ED air box with a lot of hassle or install a EF/EL air box with little modification. This information will be added later.

Special note for EB2/ED owners.... One easy mod to your car that can be done is installing the EA MPFI throttle body piping. Yes I know, installing an old EA part into a EB/ED! But it's larger and will allow more air to flow into the intake manifold. Most wreckers will charge like $5 tops.

Some things you can do for your EF/EL

1. Install a Tickford snorkel This is a great start and the equivalent of the XH snorkel for the EA to ED. Around the same price as XH snorkel from your local ford dealership. Many people have noticed gains from this cheap mod & is completely legal to Mr plod.

2. Install a POD Filter to your EF air box This easy modification done with a good quality pod can have noticeable gains. It sits nicely inside your air box so isn't seen from the exterior and replaces your old panel filter.

3. Install customized throttle body piping Many EF/EL owners have optioned for the mandrel bend intake piping. This besides giving your engine bay a cool look, has some gains I have been told. The one downfall is being metal it absorbs the heat. But allows air to travel quicker down the piping to the throttle body. This can be sourced from your local exhaust shop normally for around $150 mark for 3" piping.

With a combination of all of the above 3, you can gain a few extra kw here and there but allows you to get more air to your engine, when you choose to update your cam.

Just a final note on filters.... Your choice of filter is very important. Your engine will be breathing through this and cheap pod filter isn't going to give the results of the more expensive pod filter. It will most likely not last as long as well. So the $20 cheapie pod filter isn't going to do you much good compared to the K&N $110 POD filter.

You can also replace your paper style filter in your air box with a K&N, BMC or FinerFilter oil filter. Noticeable gains have been seen by doing this. John_xr6's ED gained 3 rwkw on the dyno by installing a K&N filter. But it can vary from car to car.