Ok, I'm sure everyone is gonna jump on me like a rat on cheese for this one, but. Ok, so everyone who has installed a chip has also gone with one of the many filter assemblies out there--me included. So 2001 rolls around and SVT increases the size of the MAF by 12.5% and they increase the fender opening 25%. Well, lets make (and I do say make) the assumption that removing a cold airbox assembly out and feeding nice hot air into our motors increases horsepower and performance. Hmm, kinda backward thinking as when I go to the track and the temps start dropping we always run better times, but anyhow. Let's assume that the stock airbox was restrictive and the reason we see a performance increase is because even with hotter air we allow more air into the motor than the factory box allowed. So now with the increase of size of the 2001 airbox, don't we all now believe this should be the way to go??? Better yet, we do like KGM did and add another opening to the airbox and run a true cold air induction setup. Hmm, has anyone seen any times posted by KGM with his new setup? And this is a true cold air induction, not like Johnny Lightning's kit or other kits that people may have fabricated on their own. (Not flaming anyone or downplaying their setup). And I read that Johnny Lightning wrote that on his cold air induction some of the fresh air would actually be forced out of the filter (Maybe I truly misunderstood that part). Well if that is true, then a 2" long tube (which should induce a pressure drop and impeed air flow) mated to the end of a filter is actually more air than the motor can pull through the opening that everyone thinks is restrictive. I don't know, but I just am starting to really think that we have all been missing the boat here. Has anyone ever made a dyno run with the stock filter assembly and then with an aftermarket filter setup without the airbox? Has anyone ever taken their truck to the track and run both setups to see which setup works better on their vehicle? I'm not trying to **** anyone off or start a war or downplay any of the vendors products, but, deliberately setting up our vehicles to pull hot air is completely opposite of what increases performance. The only missing piece to the puzzle I can figure is that if we had dyno runs and confirmed that a performance increase is to be had with the elimination of the airbox, then I would say there must be an inherent design problem to where the box itself does not allow for proper airflow. But damn, I sure find that hard to believe that SVT would built such an incredible performing vehicle and then choke it with something so simple as an airbox.

All this being said, does anyone out there feel like selling me their stock 2001 airbox assembly? This way I could do some experimenting on my own and obtain some data.

Man I fear you guys are gonna kill me for this post!

[This message has been edited by Peter B (edited 03-20-2001).]

 

I have a friend that was on the Lightning drivetrain team when the 1999 was being developed. He tells me that opening up th eair duct from the fender to the air box is worth 8hp. The problem is that at the time Production was not willing to produce a different fender liner for the L. only. The 2001 trucks all have the lightning opening size. Hope this helps.

------------------
Andy Whittle
White 2000
#2482 of 4966
Built 4/27/00

My Autocross car

 

If I remember corectly, Sal said something about the noise of the eaton supercharger being so loud, that ford almost had to abort the L2. The air box had a lot of R&D to make power and quite down the eaton, mostly quite the eaton, if I am remembering what Sal wrote. But hey I will send you my 2001 box free, if you will pay the shipping, and also if you get it to make more power than the JL, I want it back

 

I dyno tested my PSP intake vs. my stock airbox. Got an increase of 3 hp. Also gained like 10 lb/ft of torque I think but the sheets not in front of me right now. I want to say the area under the curve improved but it was hard to tell on my dyno sheet. I did gain about .15 seconds and 1.5 mph at the track.

------------------
2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
PSP Filter
Best time: 13.335 @ 103.91 mph

 

Hmm, very interesting.

I just thought of something, maybe we are on to something here; I mean there have been a couple of posts about the 2001 bone stock Lightnings outperforming chipped and filtered 99/00's. Granted there is the issue of gears and the new intake, but if the intake is improved, then that would require even more air, so I'm thinking the 2001 stock box may be the way to go for all us 99/00 owners. Now of course there is the issue of hacking our fenders--ah but wait. Cut a hole in the bottom of our stock box and run a cold air tube like KGM.

 

Ok, I just wrote my second post before I saw MID 12's and 2000Black respond. This is interesting information.

MID 12's, if you are serious, I would love to take you up on your offer.

 

First this has been hashed over many times in the past.

Second, Hot air is better than not enough air

Third, The hot air issue is only a problem for the first second or 2. Unless you are making a dyno run with no moving air.

Fourth, I like the sound of the Open cone filter compared to stock, and My truck runs a couple tenths quicker with the open filter than with the stock airbox.

Fifth - If you search you will find a post from a guy that claimed he worked at Ford and he described how much work went into muffling the sound of the blower to get it to pass the sound test for the masses. In other words Ford dumbs the Engine down to make the middle of the road customers happy. Generally they want quiet motors, with nice soft shifts, etc. So to assume that Fords method is the best for performance is making a large assumption. Rather it is best for insurability, fabrication, assembly line manufacturing, cost, selling to the masses, etc.

Just my $0.03 worth

Doug

 

But what about the BLOWER WHINE. You've gotta have BLOWER WHINE. Even if it cost me 5 hp, I want BLOWER WHINE.

You might say I'm addicted to BLOWER WHINE. I don't care. I love BLOWER WHINE. There, I've said it.

------------------
2001 Red Lightning Delivered 3-15-2001, Factory Tonneau, 2" Aim Lowering Shackles, Hitch Removed, Group Purchase Floor Mats, Modified Light Switch for Fogs.

2000 Red Lightning - #835 of 4966 Sold 3-8-2001

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car

My Zing.com Album Click Here

 

hey Peter B, I am serious about my offer, let me know. I am taking it off this weekend! The air box that is

 

If I remember right, the Airraid is setup to close the air filter from the res of the engine right? It has a rubber gasket that mates to the hood. Atleast thats what I think. And then most of the air comes from the fender hole.

Has there been a picture posted comparing the 01 fender hole to a 99? I would prefer to see a picture of any coloer other than a black truck, since it can be hard to see.

I dont think why people would flame you, you are just looking for more perfromance.

 

isn't Sal's kit like an air aid, with a different filter, and the panels removed??? I thought some other people took an air aid and gained, by removing the panels also???

 

The box always has been the problem. i'm sure it's a problem with the 01's too, and is still there for the noise reasons. i've never found underhood temps to be greatly higher than outside temps when moving. the engine is very well ventilated. i checked this with multiple temp probes and posted the results a year or so ago. more air, even underhood air is better, than not enough.

 

Then there was that whole thing about removing the radiator pastic.

Did that ever do anything for performance?

 

Made two dyno runs, one with the stock air box, and one with an open Powerstack filter.

R9 and stock air box: 354 RWHP.

R9 and Powerstack filter: 370 RWHP.


Justin

------------------
'99 Black Lightning #0055
JL Ram Air, JL Flip Chip, chrome wheels, best time: 12.95 @ 104.28, 1.87 60' on F-1's

 

Just to add my .02........Would a ram air kit really show it's true potential on a dyno??? There is no mass of air pushing into the ram air from the speed of the vehicle. The open element alone is worth the extra HP it gives, not to mention the BLOWER WHINE!

Not to mention SVT has to leave room for themselves to show improvements.