Has anyone ever thought of this?

I tossed the idea around a few years ago, but never followed through.

Basically, here in Texas we have to have the A/C on most of the year. My question, is would it be worth it to run a vent down to the air intake? That way I could blow cold air into make intake for performance, even when it is 90-100 outside.

Would the gain be worth it?
Any downsides I'm not thinking of?

Engine would be up to operating temps, but the air would be a true cold air...and Potential Ram Air as well depending on FAN speed.

 

I seriously doubt that the cooler air into the intake would make a difference enough to make up for the fact that your A/C is on in the first place.

If you always have it on anyways (I live in Austin, TX and rarely use it , then I suppose it will help (some) but running a tube through the engine compartment is going to need to be pretty well insulated or it will gain a lot of energy from the heat in the engine compartment.

I'm not going to say it will make no difference, but I'm skeptical that it will be measurable if anything.

 

Dude, you have been reading too many "Ricer Magazines".

There are a few things wrong with your idea. First, your engine will require somewhere in the order of 500 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of air flow when doing any "performance style" work at all. The A/C system in your truck probably delivers about 25 cfm at best (at a very low pressure).

Translation: If you plumb your A/C into the intake, the cold air will be so "diluted" that the engine will never see the difference. Furthermore, now you AND the engine will be hot--One of you may as well cool (may as well be the one making the payments).

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you would need a fan about the size of the bed of your truck to deliver enough air to be a "ram air" ---You would have to pull the chiller and air handler around on a trailer. The 12" flex duct running from that trailer through the top our your hood would look kind of silly (and probably produce some seroius drag).

Again Mudrat, sorry to discourage your efforts, but if it were that easy, Ford's staff of highly respected (and paid) engineers would have already done it.

Sidewinder

 

There is a reason I didn't attempt this the first time.

I wasn't guaranteeing the validity of the proposal, just tossin out the idea.

Always looking for new ways of making power

Can't image it would be worse than any other "cold air" kit that pulls from the engine..or even the fender.

Put you hand under the fender...is it very cold?

My expedition has dual A/C (front and rear) and cools quite nice.

While it may not be fessible, it is bound to be as good as a half the $200 kits involving PVC and a 9in open air K&N.

As far as ford engineering
This the same ford that has spark plugs blowing out heads, engine knocking that can't be resolved, and rubber funnels on the intake to cut down air noise. I wouldn't say performance is there goal when building. (pauses for airbound stones)

That being said, I am a ford guy, have been for the last 9 years and will continue forevermore

All the other car companys do the same thing. They have to build the cars to the majority or people, not just the nuts who actually view cars and trucks as more than the next evolution of horse and buggy.

I still want the clutch driven blower sittin on my engine mad max style! A man can dream right.