Air Filter/Intake Replacement

Topic: Air Filter/Intake Replacement (Read 1058 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Filter/Intake Replacement

July 05, 2006, 06:34:24 PM

I have an 88 stock 5.0. I have read that replacing the air filter with a K&N round filter will help my horsepower. Do I just need to remove the filter and box and put a K&N on the end of the tube or does it need to routed somewhere else? I've already converted to true duals/no cats/h pipe/flowmasters and that has made a big difference - and I'm thinking that easier breathing on the front end will help even more. Just want to make sure I install this thing correctly.

Air Filter/Intake Replacement

Reply #1 – July 05, 2006, 07:28:29 PM

You can attach a cone filter to the end of the intake tube, yes. You could also mount it more inside the fender to try and get as much cold air as possible.
You could also get a K&N panel filter which will fit right into the stock airbox.... which is kind of like a cold air intake anyway.
You most likely won't notice a seat-of-the-pants difference, but it may help your gas mileage.

Air Filter/Intake Replacement

Reply #2 – July 06, 2006, 10:37:00 AM

Quote from: cougarcragar

You can attach a cone filter to the end of the intake tube, yes. You could also mount it more inside the fender to try and get as much cold air as possible.

Would there be a noticable difference taking the time to mount it inside the fender like so -

as opposed to mounting where the airbox currently sits? Cold air is the point?

Air Filter/Intake Replacement

Reply #3 – July 06, 2006, 11:06:53 AM

Cold air is more dense than warm air. The theory is that dense air may help increase horsepower. I've never "felt" a difference from changing the air box, but that's not to say there wasn't a positive effect on the engine.
Not only can you introduce colder air to the intake, but you may also be making it less restrictive by adding a conical filter.
Keep in mind that the factory air box, while somewhat restrictive, is a cold air design. The engineers at Ford did a few things right. :)

Somebody else should chime in with more info. I've already typed out all of my knowledge on this subject.

Air Filter/Intake Replacement

Reply #4 – July 06, 2006, 11:14:48 AM

5.0 cars are notorious for backwashing hot air from the alternator over to an open K&N filter. A cold air tube setup is ideal because it pulls cold air from the fender, just like from the factory, but it has smooth inner walls and a slight Venturii effect for greater air velocity. And the alternator backwash can't happen with a cold air tube...it's a completely sealed environment. How much power you'll gain, who knows. I think only a run at the track or on a dyno would answer that question. I certainly haven't noticed much in the way of seat-of-the-pants feel from a CAI setup. But it whistles when you step on the gas, so it's worth the $140 for that alone.