Air filters

[Marauder04]

Newbie here
What cold air sysytrm do u use for MM?
KN dropin with silencer removed?
Fram Airhog with silincer removed?
9in or 12in Conical filter attached to massair?

[03SILVERSTREAK]

Newbie here
What cold air sysytrm do u use for MM?
KN dropin with silencer removed?
Fram Airhog with silincer removed?
9in or 12in Conical filter attached to massair?Welcome to this informative site . if you like you start with the K & N but first do a search of "K&N Air Filter" on this site and see if you like what you read...:cool:

[CRUZTAKER]

Pauls High Performance w/12" conical filter.

I am in no way giving any plugs here...but you asked...and I here by reply.:D

[jgc61sr2002]

Marauder04 - Welcome aboard. :up:

[RF Overlord]

Welcome, Marauder04...

Actually, the MM has one of the lowest restriction intakes of any Ford product to date. The K&N panel filter has already been demonstrated to provide 0 HP improvement. I don't know if anyone has used the Air Hog, but since it's an oiled filter very similar to the K&N, I'd have to believe it will perform the same. Cone filters generally pull in too much underhood heat to make any significant HP increase, but they sure do sound nice.

As a side note, one of our CA members actually provided his MM to K&N for them to develop an FIPK...this was some months ago, and we've heard nothing...

[Marauderjack]

Paul's Hi-Performance Cold Air Induction here......DR tested and got pretty significant gains!!! :banana2:

I can feel SOP gain but have not dynoed!! :up:

Marauderjack :)

[Marauder8]

I am using the Fram Air hog for now, until I can find a TRUE cold air induction

[studio460]

I also put a Fram AirHog in just for kicks (since Pep Boys was out of the K&N) . . . plus, I really like the way the stock airbox looks. I certainly didn't "feel" any performance gain, but then I didn't expect to feel one anyway. I still have the silencer in place. I'll get the Metco carbonfiber cold air kit that TAF showed here in another thread (which looked BEAUTIFUL!!!) after I get my Trilogy supercharger installed.

[studio460]

Oh, here's the thread with the picture I mentioned:
Metco carbonfiber cold air kit thread with picture (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10336&highlight=carbon+fiber)

[Pantherman]

[QUOTE=Marauder04]Newbie here
What cold air sysytrm do u use for MM?

Marauder 04, your car has a cold air induction system. The reason you don't see many alternatives available is that nobody has been able to demonstrate any real improvement by changing the system.

[rayjay]

Too bad that ITG doesn't make a filter that fit the MM. Best filter on the market, but its a nitch item. Not familiar with the Pauls High Performance. Anyone have a link? The silencer also acts as a air reserve at high rpms when the engine is demanding more flow. Found this out on a IceMan CAI that was on my Focus. I pulled the resonator off and tried different configurations with getting more air in through that hole. At one point I taped it off with very high strenght aluminum tape to seal the box. After a "spirited" run I noticed more noise from under the hood. The tape had been sucked into the box. Happened twice. Long story short I solved the air flow problem with a hybrid IceMan/Focus Sport intake. I was showing my new baby to a friend that builds street rods as a hobby. I mentioned that the motor was also being used in the Mach 1. I asked if he thought that induction system could be adapted to the MM. Answer :D, sure, that would look cool... Maybe down the road, not real big on cutting up my new hood.

[gonzo50]

I am using the Fram Air hog for now, until I can find a TRUE cold air induction
I'm not interested in the oiled type filters from K&N, or the Fram Air Hog......

Just need to know if I should stick with the Motorcraft Air Filter or go with the Fram Air Filter as an alternate, or does it really matter ? :confused:

I rather change out my air filter every, other Dealer Service, or 10,000 miles then to have an oil residue build-up on the MAF sensor. :bandit:

[FordNut]

I'm not interested in the oiled type filters from K&N, or the Fram Air Hog......

Just need to know if I should stick with the Motorcraft Air Filter or go with the Fram Air Filter as an alternate, or does it really matter ? :confused:

I rather change out my air filter every, other Dealer Service, or 10,000 miles then to have an oil residue build-up on the MAF sensor. :bandit:
I have run K&Ns on both of my Marauders for about 30,000 miles each and have never had a problem with "oil residue build-up" on the MAF sensor.

As for the paper filter elements, I doubt there is enough difference to shop for any reason except price.

[gonzo50]

I have run K&Ns on both of my Marauders for about 30,000 miles each and have never had a problem with "oil residue build-up" on the MAF sensor.

As for the paper filter elements, I doubt there is enough difference to shop for any reason except price.
Just going by what some members that use them have been saying about new K&N filters that are freshly oiled and going WOT for extented periods of time...... :burnout:

As for the paper elements, Fram 5056 at Walmart are $4.86......and someone said that the Motorcraft filter from the Dealership are close to $20.00 plus, :eek: is that true ? :confused: Thanks FordNut

[SergntMac]

and just to correct some misunderstandings here.

You senior members here have heard me say this before, so, go get a fresh beer while I'm talking to the younger/newer owners, K?

A true "cold air induction kit" is one that sucks, scoops, or collects cold air from outside the engine bay and ports it to the intake. Therefore, the ONLY cold air inductions systems presently available to us are 1) our own OEM air box as it comes from the factory, which sucks cold air from behind the driver's side headlight pod, and 2) the '03 Mach I hood scoop kit from www.KarKraft.com which ports cold outside air into the internal air box where it's filtered before ingestion. BTW, this Mach 1 kit requires major mods to the hood and air box, and as far as I know, no one has undertaken converting it for our use, so, nevermind this kit, eh? The remaining kits/filters mentioned here, do not import any cold, or, fresh air from outside the engine bay period. Therefore, the "best cold air induction kit" remains our OEM air induction system due to its source of fresh, cold air...IMHO. Let me explain more?

Metco's offering is a spiffy attachment to the OEM air box, and it's really slick too. It traces the visual appearance of Kenny Brown's carbon fiber "bellows" (which is not available in kit form) and it's sweet, cheap, (umm...Inexpensive), and just plain looks cool. Some may accuse you of being supercharged, so, be honest if challenged, eh?

However, Metco's kit disappoints me, and only because it retains the OEM air box that still relies on the small fresh air source from behind the headlight pod. I say "disappointing" only because this kit does not attempt to capture any more fresh, or, cold air than the OEM air box already provides. It will smooth the air path to the intake, yes. But, it makes no improvement on the OEM source. Damnit too, I was hoping for more fresh/cold air from this kit.

Paul's kit (and most likely K&Ns kit will too, if we ever see that) removes the OEM air box entirely, taking it's fresh air (however limited this is) collection with it. Paul's kit replaces that with a K&N style conical air filter that sucks air from inside the engine bay. Yes, it has a heat shield that allows you to target the air path you wish to sample from, but it's hotter engine bay air mixing in. Any cooler air blown in from below the car gets mixed with the hot air blown through the radiator, trans cooler and so on before it's available to the kit. Any cooler air still filtering to it from behind the headlight pod is likewise mixed inside the filter. Therefore, it sucks more air, but that air doesn't stay much cooler, and I believe cooler is the factor we should be seeking...IMHO. So, while Paul's kit is likewise visually impressive, it's not improving the quality of air we get from the OEM air box. This is likewise disappointing, as an "upgrade" to our OEM air supply.

Well, seems none of us want to mod our MMs with a General Motors cowl induction thingy, so that's out. None of us seem excited to add a Mach I hood scoop either. Until we explore more options, there isn't much to choose from right now.

Until someone designs a way of collecting cold air from outside the car with a forward facing scoop of some design that collects from the forward movement of the car, we should not expect any outstanding performance gains.

IMHO...The OEM setup is still your best option. It's on the job, but it's handicapped. I looked at several pics from the Indy event, and noticed several members understand what I've explained here before, because they "raced one-eyed." Bravo! Someone is listening.

We need a scoop somewhere on the front of the car, that ducts to the OEM air box. This would show a major change in performance regardless of what follows in the induction path. On that note, for those of you who posted here about improving the OEM filter alone, remember this?

The tighter the filtering process, the less air processed. The looser the filtering process, the more air processed. Watch your "micron" count, because higher numbers mean tighter filtering, and less air processed to the MAF and intake. I'll save my discussion on this point for another time.

For the record here, my MM is supercharged and not suffering from these concerns. Yet, I remember my first N/A MM, and my concerns back then. On behalf of the new Mm owners here and asking questions, I'm just looking for the best mod for the N/A MM again. I do not support any particular vendor, or, train of thought on this topic, no bias in any direction, eh?

I use a K&N conical filter on my Kenny Brown car, and rather than oil it, or, clean it, I replace it with a fresh filter once it's sufficiently used. This works for me, because N/A or supercharged, the best filter is the clean filter. If you're really a performance minded owner, this cost goes with that program.

Thanks for listening, I'm sergntmac@aol.com for rebuttals.

[RF Overlord]

I don't want to get into the K&N debate again, so let me just say this: it IS in fact a very high quality filter. There SHOULD not be any problem with them IF they are not over oiled. Therein lies the issue: how do you KNOW if it's over oiled?

As far as the FRAM paper filters, the problem is that FRAM does NOT make an exact replacement for the Marauder. Their listing (CA5056) is actually for a CV/GM and is slightly different than the MM, although it's very close. The Motorcraft FA-1745 is made by Mann, and is an exact correct fit for the MM airbox. I prefer not to use something that's CLOSE, if I can use something that's CORRECT, so I buy mine from the local dealer, for about $14 (+tax, tip, dealer prep, etc - YMMV)...it's cheap insurance.

[FordNut]

Mac, I agree with most of what you're saying but I do have a couple of points to add/counter.



A true "cold air induction kit" is one that sucks, scoops, or collects cold air from outside the engine bay and ports it to the intake. Therefore, the ONLY cold air inductions systems presently available to us are 1) our own OEM air box as it comes from the factory, which sucks cold air from behind the driver's side headlight pod, and 2) the '03 Mach I hood scoop kit from www.KarKraft.com which ports cold outside air into the internal air box where it's filtered before ingestion. BTW, this Mach 1 kit requires major mods to the hood and air box, and as far as I know, no one has undertaken converting it for our use, so, nevermind this kit, eh? The remaining kits/filters mentioned here, do not import any cold, or, fresh air from outside the engine bay period. Therefore, the "best cold air induction kit" remains our OEM air induction system due to its source of fresh, cold air...IMHO. Let me explain more?

Actually these are two different products being called a cold air kit. A cold air kit simply shields the air intake from hot air and connects to cool outside air somehow, whether the radiator support openings, through the fenderwell, under the car, etc. A ram air kit actually has scoops and/or ducts to force the air into the filter at a higher velocity.


Metco's offering is a spiffy attachment to the OEM air box, and it's really slick too. It traces the visual appearance of Kenny Brown's carbon fiber "bellows" (which is not available in kit form) and it's sweet, cheap, (umm...Inexpensive), and just plain looks cool. Some may accuse you of being supercharged, so, be honest if challenged, eh?

However, Metco's kit disappoints me, and only because it retains the OEM air box that still relies on the small fresh air source from behind the headlight pod. I say "disappointing" only because this kit does not attempt to capture any more fresh, or, cold air than the OEM air box already provides. It will smooth the air path to the intake, yes. But, it makes no improvement on the OEM source. Damnit too, I was hoping for more fresh/cold air from this kit.

The Metco kit is only half done. The first half is what we have seen and it is in fact only an air tube as you say and it connects to the OEM airbox. However, their next product coming up is a cold air kit (not a ram air kit) which shields the air filter from engine compartment heat. Since we have not seen it, how it connects to outside air is all speculation at this point, but based on the intake tube connecting points I would assume it will be the same openings in the radiator support panel that the OEM filter uses.


Paul's kit (and most likely K&Ns kit will too, if we ever see that) removes the OEM air box entirely, taking it's fresh air (however limited this is) collection with it. Paul's kit replaces that with a K&N style conical air filter that sucks air from inside the engine bay. Yes, it has a heat shield that allows you to target the air path you wish to sample from, but it's hotter engine bay air mixing in. Any cooler air blown in from below the car gets mixed with the hot air blown through the radiator, trans cooler and so on before it's available to the kit. Any cooler air still filtering to it from behind the headlight pod is likewise mixed inside the filter. Therefore, it sucks more air, but that air doesn't stay much cooler, and I believe cooler is the factor we should be seeking...IMHO. So, while Paul's kit is likewise visually impressive, it's not improving the quality of air we get from the OEM air box. This is likewise disappointing, as an "upgrade" to our OEM air supply.

Well, seems none of us want to mod our MMs with a General Motors cowl induction thingy, so that's out. None of us seem excited to add a Mach I hood scoop either. Until we explore more options, there isn't much to choose from right now.

I also have a unfinished cold air intake on my car. It is homemade from carbon fiber. The bottom half wraps around and shields the radiator side of the conical filter from engine compartment hot air. The top cover will seal the top of the filter off from engine compartment hot air. The only source for intake air will be the holes in the radiator support panel. But, the inlet to my system will be the full size of the driver's side of the radiator support panel. Therefore, it will have about twice the inlet area of the OEM box. But this is not a commercial product.


Until someone designs a way of collecting cold air from outside the car with a forward facing scoop of some design that collects from the forward movement of the car, we should not expect any outstanding performance gains.

We need a scoop somewhere on the front of the car, that ducts to the OEM air box. This would show a major change in performance regardless of what follows in the induction path. On that note, for those of you who posted here about improving the OEM filter alone, remember this?

That is something I have been thinking about for quite awhile. I bought a March Ram Air System for a Mustang and tried to adapt it without any success. I am now thinking about another idea. If it works, I'll post details for all to enjoy.


I use a K&N conical filter on my Kenny Brown car, and rather than oil it, or, clean it, I replace it with a fresh filter once it's sufficiently used. This works for me, because N/A or supercharged, the best filter is the clean filter. If you're really a performance minded owner, this cost goes with that program.

I guess I should have clarified my comments about the K&N panel filters I use to add that I also just use them for about 20-30,000 miles then replace them instead of cleaning and re-oiling. That is where most people mess up their MAF sensors, in over-oiling the filters.

[TAF]

Well said Brian :up:

[cyclone03]

Fordnut,
after seeing the beginings of your airbox set up in Indy,you may want to rethink the "not a production part" statement.I think you will end up with a marketable product when your done.

Have you had a look behind the windshield washer fluid resevor yet?
Can you add cold air from that area?


To all, 'nut brought along his home made molds for the beginnings of his set up to Indy.
Here's a guy that tiered of waiting and grabbed the cardon matting by the resin and made his own stuff!When finished it's going to be cool.

[Joe Walsh]

I've got a RAM AIR system that I put together with a 9" conical K&N and a sealed 'box' that precludes any hot engine compartment air from getting to the filter. I built the 'box' enclosure myself and it works great.
The ram air scoop pulls in air from under the left front fog light valance and turns 90 degrees, up past the small air compressor (for rear ride height). I had to cut/modify the black plastic pan that the compressor is mounted in but it allows the forced air up into the sealed air 'box'. The only problem I have right now is that I'm using a round scoop rather than a flatter elliptical/rectangular scoop and I have limited ground clearance. My next step is to find a good 'low profile' under valance scoop to use and I will eliminate any scoop curb crunchers...which I have already experienced. Now I will see if Aaron's (METCO) CF intake tube will work with my custom set-up.

[schuvwj]

I have been experimenting with a cold air duct for our MM’s. I have attached a 4-inch diameter plastic flex hose that runs from the lower drivers side bottom grill, to the opening in the cross member just below the stock intake tube which is attached to the stock air box. I bought the hose at ACE Hardware for $14.00 and took about 10 minutes to install.

I’ve had it on my MM now for about 900 miles, driven in very heavy rain with no problems and gives some noticeable SOTP improvements, especially when temps are 85-deg. or lower.

The purpose for the plastic flex tube was to develop a profile for a final molded or PVC tube that would route cool air from the bottom grill to the hole just below the stock air box tube.

I also plan to enlarge the hole below the intake tube but I don’t want to compromise the strength of the cross member just behind the headlight assembly.

If you would like some pics of my experimental tube please let me know.

Have a great day!

[DirtyDog]

I'd sure like to see those pictures. I've been thinking about the same thing. I have blocked off some of the holes that let air escape from the grill shell. This is forcing more air into the airbox horn.

Dave

[SergntMac]

Mac, I agree with most of what you're saying but I do have a couple of points to add/counter.
Thanks, Brian, I appreciate your input here, and I don't see any disagreement in our individual posts. My intent is to not further mislead any new owners about what's called a "cold air kit," which is not that at all. Nice to hear too, that Metco plans to change this, thank you.

I respect your personal effort, Brian, and the collective efforts of other owners who have posted here as well. Yes, we're all wanting the same thing, and it's good to see the grass roots effort and ingenuity. Good luck to you all!

Edit...Yes, I came back here to edit my post because I just spent a day thinking about Brian's mention of a "cold air" vs. "ram air" remark here.

AIRI, "ram air" was a product name, something protected by the manfacturer against its use by other manfacturers. AIRI, a major automobile manfacturer (I'm thinking Pontiac) named some of their engines a "ram-air" engine, "ram-air IV" comes to mind in the '70 Judge. Bah...It was a long time ago, maybe late '60s or early '70s, when Pontiac replaced their 389 with a "400 Ram-Air" engine.

Just like we call a photocopy of a document a "xerox," one of the big 3 of the late '60s muscle car era branded their technology for their specific cold air path as their own, as exclusive to them, just like they did with manfacturer specific names for posi-traction axles, i.e. "posi-traction," "limited-slip," and "traction-lok."

Each manfacturer had it's own branded name for their own design, and it became a protected label despite the similar technology. AIRI, "ram-air" was not a technology we could point to or import to our own automobiles as we can nitrous, or, supercharging. It was a brand name, and without specifications calling for "scoops" as Brian mentions. In fact, the General's late '60s "ram air" had no scoops at all, and it was branded by GM as "cowl induction," which is just another name for a design that ducted cold air to the intake from outside the engine bay. Hood mounted scoops were optional, and not descriptive of the technology, and they are still optional to us, yes?

Hey, ya know? As long as we are getting cold air into the induction system, what's in a name? Again, my only point here is that today's popular names fail to produce any more "cold air" to the intake, so, let's stop fooling the new owners with misleading names?

[schuvwj]

I'd sure like to see those pictures. I've been thinking about the same thing. I have blocked off some of the holes that let air escape from the grill shell. This is forcing more air into the airbox horn.

Dave

Here are my pics of the temporary cold air tube I installed for $14.95.

[martyo]

Here are my pics of the temporary cold air tube I installed for $14.95.

Bill: I like this idea. Let us know how it works, please.

[schuvwj]

More Cold Air Tube Pics.

[MERCMAN]

if you have as many bugs in the filter as you do on your bumper,you must have to replace the filter every 500 miles :lol: :lol: :woohoo:

[schuvwj]

if you have as many bugs in the filter as you do on your bumper,you must have to replace the filter every 500 miles :lol: :lol: :woohoo:

Yes mercman you are correct 500 mile for an air cleaner is about right.

As I stated before I have been experimenting with a cold air duct for our MM’s. I have attached a 4-inch diameter plastic flex hose that runs from the lower drivers side bottom grill, to the opening in the cross member just below the stock intake tube which is attached to the stock air box. I bought the hose at ACE Hardware for $14.00 and took about 10 minutes to install. The pipe is very strong yet flexable hose used for down spouts on your house.

I’ve had it on my MM now for about 900 miles, driven in very heavy rain with no problems and gives some noticeable SOTP improvements, especially when temps are 85-deg. or lower.

The purpose for this plastic flex tube was to develop a profile for a final molded or PVC tube that would route cool air from the bottom grill to the hole just below the stock air box tube.

I also plan to enlarge the hole below the stock intake tube but I don’t want to compromise the strength of the cross member just behind the headlight assembly.

I have added some more pics in the gallery.