Is anyone else out there less than impressed with the way Airaid chose to plumb the I.C.S. controller on the 4.6 motors? Seems to me they didn't put a whole lot of thought into it. The 90 degree hose it comes with dosen't cut it. When installing mine, the hose would push the I.C.S. up far enough that the throttle body cover wouldn't go back on. Or, if I pushed it down to get the cover on, it would kink the hose. I solved the problem by purchasing another 90 degree hose, a 90 degree plastic hose fitting and 2 hose clamps. The finished product is a much cleaner job and nothing is in a bind. I had to trim the hoses on both ends but fits very nicely. For anyone who wants to do this fix, I measured the hoses from the *back side* of the 90 to the end. Cut one end of the first hose to 2-7/8". Cut the other end to 4". The short end slips onto the Airaid fitting. The plastic 90 goes in the long end. Cut one end of the next hose to 2-3/4". Cut the other end to 3-3/4". The 3-3/4" end slips on the other end of the plastic 90. The 2-3/4" end turns up to the I.C.S. Routing is basically the same as Airaid says to do, but much cleaner. I took some photos but haven't developed them yet. If I can figure out how to scan and post them here, I will. That's if anyone is interested. I just can't stand something that's been rigged! I'm so **** about my stuff, I annoy myself sometimes!!!

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto. Superchip, Gibson sing. cat-back, Airaid, 80/100w German head lamps. Needs one more door and a lot more power. I think I need to talk to Mr. Whipple.

 

Actually there was a lot of thought and research that went into the production of the Airaid unit. The first time they were done they had you just remove the silencer box were the "new" hose hooks up too. The Company is out of Arizona so testing was done there where it is warm all the time. It wasn't until after they did mass production on the Airaid kits that they found out about the "whistling sound" coming from the engine compartment where people lived in colder climates, therefore the 90 degree hose was added to the exsisting units and hoses were sent out to those who had the noise at no charge. Whenever it is cold out thats when the problem occurred. It even happened to me here in Northern California this past winter. I just made one phone call to Evergreen Performance and they shipped out a hose no charge. If you take the hose they supply and modify it like the one you did it will do the same thing. I took mine and cut the ends to make it fit better and it all fits under the housing just fine with no kinks or problems. I am sure glad that god awful sound doesnt exsist anymore!


Roger Lemere
Digital Marketplace Advisor

[This message has been edited by Roger Lemere (edited 08-13-1999).]

 

I bought a 90 degree bend hose from NAPA and just shortened both ends so th ebox would fit under the engine cover. Can't tell the hose is under there.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, 4.6, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs

 

98fword, To get pics on the web with out a digital camera or scanner do this: 1) get the pics developed "on C/D" by kodak 2) "save" the ones you want in your docs after shrinking them down. 3) upload to web page or send as attachment to buddy who has a web page. There ya go.

 

No need for anyone to strike a defensive pose. I posted an honest observation. At the same time, some *constructive* criticism. I try not to complain if I can't offer some sort of solution. Although I'm sure a certain amount of thought went into most of the rest of the system, plumbing the I.C.S. was obviously an afterthought. Possibly a more critical problem I noticed with the design was the intake passage in the mounting bracket does not match the M.A.F. inlet. The hole in the bracket is smaller and is off center. It looks to me like they did this to accommodate the size of the filter. If I recall, in porting 101, any sharp drop off or ledge in an intake tract will cause eddys or turbulence which in turn reduces flow and efficiency. I realize there are plenty of other obstructions in there doing the same thing. But in this case, more is not merrier. My point is, there is no reason the parts shouldn't fit properly right out of the box. I'm not completely dissatisfied with the unit. I just feel there's obvious room for improvement.

P.S. Andthensometoo; Thanx!


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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto. Superchip, Gibson sing. cat-back, Airaid, 80/100w German head lamps. Needs one more door and a lot more power. I think I need to talk to Mr. Whipple.

 

I used to supplied hoses on my Airaid install. I did trim the 90degree hose, and everything fits fine. Engine cover and all. See pics at http://www.myf150.com/mods.htm


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

I agree with 98fword,
For $200.00+, I shouldn't have had to cut/mod anything.
Airaid does work great, most of it is designed well, but I am disappointed in having to cut the hose to make it fit. The directions mention that the 5.4's hose may have to be cut, but not the 4.6's.
What if I had cut it wrong, would Evergreen have sent a new one free? I don't know.
I just think the hose could be fitted better.

I am glad to see that my kit did come with a gasket that went between the MAS and the bracket. I read that others didn't receive one.

 

I think AIR Aid's instructions were GARBAGE!
I had to look and feel my way through the whole process. It doesnt tell you how or where to install the little sensor. the washers supplied to mount the Mass air flow sensor, fell right through the factory holes where I just removed the air filter housing. I thought a little more thought could have been put into the instructions.

When are they going to become CARB certified???