Well i got a shipment of S&B intakes on, and ive been driving around with my stocker for a few days now (far too long if you ask me), so i decided to fit one up and see if id like it

Ill be honest, i was skeptical, because the S&B uses the factory filter box on the 5.4, just removes that filter, and has a tube to their own box. I expected results comparable to the true flow (crappy) but i was actually suprised with this one.

Install isnt too bad, but then i can swap intakes on these with my eyes closed by now. You have to remove the box to plug up the 2 drain holes underneath, and put some gasket material onto the empty filter tray to keep it all sealed. The new tube was a little tricky to get to fit in the box, i found it easier to remove the filter tray, install the tube, and reinstall the filter tray. The tube bolts to the factory support point, but doesnt seem to want to actually "rest" in the factory tube cradle. not that it needs to, its still very solidly mounted. The box was tricky as well, it uses a very good mount system but a bit awkward to get to. It actually uses some rubber isolators in the large holes in the sheet metal plate where the 4.6 airbox would go. it was a little tricky to get the bolts and nuts on, i found it easier to insert the bolts up through the bottom and tighten the nuts inside the box.

The filter is pretty nice, obviously well made, and pretty light considering the weight of similar ones.

The box itself is very simple, very geometric. it closes off all the air except for the side nearest the fender, where it is completely open. i tried to capture this in a photo below. The clear lid is novel, you can see the filter (which may or may not be a good thing, haha) and i took the opportunity to install the decal of my choice to give it that "custom" look.

After this tedious install, i took it for a spin. there was a slight vibration at the startup idle, through very very minimal. noteworthy nonetheless.

As far as performance, i have to say i was actually suprised, it performs about the same as the Volant intake i had until recently!! It completely stumped me as to why, but i guess actually removing the stock filter (true flow uses a replacemtn style fitler, in the stock location) and using a larger intake tube (about an inch larger than the true flow) it actually managed to get pretty good gains.

Also, the MAF is where it was from the factory, which was engineered by ford to take the best readings. who am i to argue with ford.

Throttle response was GREATLY improved, ACCELLERATION was grealty improved, the engine is just much more responsive.

and the BEST part, IMO at least, is the noise. I would say comparable to stock sound levels, even at WOT. no loud noised, no vibrations, just a smooth sporty sound that complements the magnaflow nicely. If you want a LOUD intake this is not for you. If youre one of the guys looking for a quiet one that still delivers, this is the intake for you.

All in all i was very impressed, though i went into the install not expecting much anyway. I may even keep this intake on for a while, im very happy with its performance, but the noise level is what sold me on this kit.

Below youll find some pics, if anyone has any questions, just let me know

this thread was started just to give an honest opinion, lets not get into the big intake debate, take this as it is. If anyone is interested i can do a similar review on the volant and true flow intake.

 

Great write-up!

Now the questions,

Volant or S&B? Why does it keep the stock filter box?

 

That is the same design as the Ford Racing Performance Parts intake for the 5.4L3V engine. I bet S&B makes FRPP's intake.

 

nice, thanks for the review.

I have the airraid right now, but I often tow and haul heavy stuff in the bed, and the noise really gets on my nerves, and has recently exagerated some annoying dash vibrations. With no load however, it is ok. I am selling my airraid and was gonna just put a drop in K&N and remove that restrictive snorkel thing. But this unit you have here just be the answer.

How is the price?
edit: you beat me to it, nevermind.

 

you would be suprised who's intakes are made by S&B lets just say they are a LARGE company, i would venture even larger than K&N in the cotton gauze filter game. basically, if youre cotton gauze filter is made by anyone OTHER than K&N, tehres a 95% chance S&B manufatrured it. for the record, the Volant filter cleaning kit came to me in S&B packaging, with a volant sticker on it

 

Bob, I have considered this S&B. I had even contacted them and gotten the installation instructions emailed to me. I was, like you, a bit taken back when I discovered that they used the factory airbox. But, as you mention above, one possible benefit to this kit is the sound level. When you say, "smooth sporty sound," how would you better describe it? Right now I have the Airaid MIT and it does provide more "growl" that the stock, it still doesn't make my engine sound like a V8, more like a v-r-r-m, if you know what I mean. I'm wondering if the S&B is more aggresive in sound than my tube.

Also, can you find dyno result claims for both the Volant and the S&B? I've been considering your coupon buy, but I've considered this one as well, since the price seems reasonable and I know that S&B's filters are quality.

 

I'd love to read a review on the Volant when you get the chance, Rob.

Great review too BTW.

 

[QUOTE= and allows a future upgrade to a ram air tube, which i really dont consider an upgrade since its a catch 22 to use it[/QUOTE]

Can you elaborate on catch 22 when it comes to the ram air tube please.

Thanks Jon

 

Wow, Bob that S&B looks familiar.

S&B decided to ship me the 5.4L intake instead of the 4.6L so I got to examine that kit up close. The construction was of very good quality from what I could tell. The box seemed a little chinsy but other than that it was very nice. As for what happened with the intake mixup - Bob upgraded me to the Volant at no charge for my trouble. He's the man!

 

actually i havent gotten yours back yet dave but hopefully it will be here soon

as far as the ram air tube, as far as i can tell, the outlet goes in the tow hook hole, which means, on a 4wd you may have to remove the tow hook, and on a 2wd you would need to get a 4wd valance. I have not called to verify this with volant, this is just the best i can determine from what ive read online

as far as the sound, i wouldnt say that it growls, its not really an aggressive sound (the JLT kit GROWLS!!) but at the same time you dont get the horrible harmonics at certain RPMs like other kits. Its not an intake i would get if you looking for sound, to be honest

 

Would you say that the Volant has this harmonic problem? I know you had yours for months. As far as growl and/or noise, I'm not really looking for that. I was just hoping to compare the "smooth sporty sound" of the S&B with the Airaid MIT. I know it's next to impossible to describe in words, much easier to actually experience it. Anyhows, a comparison between the Volant and the S&B would be nice.

 

The other part of the catch 22 is Volant doesn't recommend the ram air attachment for extreme off-road use, i.e. mud and water crossing. If you hit a mud hole or a water crossing you have a good chance of forcing mud and/or water into your intake system since it does use the factory 4x4 tow hook hole. It looks like a nice setup for the street though.

 

well i got some more road time on this intake, and i would say its as quiet as stock anymore, it does have good tone to it, and tehre are some small harmonic vibes at low rpm under load (initial startup, backing up out of my driveway uphill, etc)

i would say the sound level is comparable to the volant, and now that i think about it, im sure the closed off box has a lot to do with that. any more questions, i would be glad to answer. i suppose i could do a volant review but the only one ive ever installed is an early tube model

 

I actually spoke with S&B about their kit. As I understood it, their purpose in designing the kit using the factory airbox was to avoid the CEL problems that have been reported from time to time with aftermarket cold air intake kits. He mentioned that their unit was dyno'ed "by Ford" and got a rated 14hp increase. Interesting that the Ford Racing intake is identical, except for the sticker. Go figure where FRP gets their kit. He said there may be some benefit to having a "reservoir" of air that collects in the airbox with their design, especially at highway speeds. I don't know enough about the science of intakes to know if that's a benefit or not.

So, with your review on the low noise level, and comparable performance level to the Volant, I guess this kit could be a nice alternative. Although, I still think the Volant has every kit beat with the way it looks. A very polished end product, IMO.

 

you may be suprised to know that S&B manufactures a LOT of intakes for other companys that rebrand. the word on the street is volant and S&B are in some kind of lawsuit regarding box design. i am just speculating but i would venture that S&B "borrowed" volants box design on some intakes, because im about 85% sure that S&B manufactures the volant kits as well.

the volant is by far the best box design, and definately has a good finished look.