Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit

Jeff Blanchard · 07-23-2015, 12:17 PM

Will a cold air intake pipe on an EFI car meet with Tech's approval, if it is routed the same, and picks up air in the same location as "Stock configuration"? Specifically talking about 1988 Mustang. Searched subject here and saw where a few people said they were using them, but the threads were basically dealing with something else.

JHeath · 07-23-2015, 01:57 PM

I have never seen one on a 5.0 stocker, It seems if it doesn't have an OEM look it probably won't fly. call them and ask.

7423 · 07-23-2015, 03:30 PM

Very much depends on who you ask on what day. Or you can just install it and go to tech. Have been running my CAI for 6 years with never an issue. It is the same length and ID as the OE tube and air box. The last time I read the rule book, it said nothing about such a kit.

Your mileage may vary.....................................

west coast · 07-23-2015, 03:58 PM

If you call it a cold air kit it would not be legal that implies you are getting air from outside the car. that would be like letting everybody putting hood scope on. In the case you are talking about on a 5.0 Mustang you pull air from the same spot as a stock mustang in the right front fender. if nothing can change then you would not be able to change the mass air meter or take the resonator out of the air box. All other carb cars don't have to run 100% stock stuff above the carb if so no drop bases and have the stock lid on them. I was told you anything past the throttle body was ok as long as you were getting air from the stock spot.

GTOMayhem · 07-23-2015, 08:29 PM

Another question along the same lines. On a car where the stock air box is mounted behind the head light and draws air through the radiator support, can the headlight be removed if you retain the stock air box? The stock rules state you must have one functioning headlight.

Rick Thomason
GTOMayhem

7423 · 07-23-2015, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTOMayhem

Another question along the same lines. On a car where the stock air box is mounted behind the head light and draws air through the radiator support, can the headlight be removed if you retain the stock air box? The stock rules state you must have one functioning headlight.

Rick Thomason
GTOMayhem

No
One has to function but both have to be there.........................

Ed Sroka · 07-23-2015, 10:03 PM

We spend a great deal of time analyzing intake air options with the use of pressure barometers and anemometers placed on various points of the front and hood area.

These smaller inlet sources provide a fraction of air in comparison to what the engine compartment realizes from the core support area, below the front bumper and through the inner fenders when applicable.

A new Challenger receives almost 30,000 CFM at speed from these areas.

The intake tube may work best as nothing more than a cross section to support the MAF sensor, if retained. If an aftermarket tube is legal, there may be gains to be found. The longer the inlet tube and the more transitions it encompasses, the higher the pressure drop and the velocity profile can suffer.

These cars tend to be cooled and face less ambient temperature prior to runs. The key to better performance may be closer to the throttle body rather than what may occur by extending the tract nearer the core support or fender.

Tom Meyer · 07-24-2015, 01:30 AM

On are 2004 cavalier dirt track car on a wheel dyno. We started with a cold air intake that picked up air at the stock location with a K&N stile filter. We would gain 5 HP by taking it off at the TB, to make a long story short we ended up with a straight pipe that was a foot long with a air filter from a 97 chevy PU that lost 4/10th of a hp. this is on a 150 hp 4 cly motor. Tom

07-23-2015, 12:17 PM	#1
Jeff Blanchard Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Lowell, Indiana Posts: 35 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit Will a cold air intake pipe on an EFI car meet with Tech's approval, if it is routed the same, and picks up air in the same location as "Stock configuration"? Specifically talking about 1988 Mustang. Searched subject here and saw where a few people said they were using them, but the threads were basically dealing with something else. __________________ Jeff Blanchard 353C / Stock

07-23-2015, 01:57 PM	#2
JHeath Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 786 Likes: 2,876 Liked 370 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit I have never seen one on a 5.0 stocker, It seems if it doesn't have an OEM look it probably won't fly. call them and ask. __________________ Jerry Heath I/S '93 Cobra FS/J 2010 Mustang "Ebay CJ" Last edited by JHeath; 07-23-2015 at 01:58 PM. Reason: correction

07-23-2015, 03:30 PM	#3
7423 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 639 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit Very much depends on who you ask on what day. Or you can just install it and go to tech. Have been running my CAI for 6 years with never an issue. It is the same length and ID as the OE tube and air box. The last time I read the rule book, it said nothing about such a kit. Your mileage may vary.....................................

07-23-2015, 03:58 PM	#4
west coast Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rainy Washington Posts: 609 Likes: 12 Liked 223 Times in 73 Posts	Re: Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit If you call it a cold air kit it would not be legal that implies you are getting air from outside the car. that would be like letting everybody putting hood scope on. In the case you are talking about on a 5.0 Mustang you pull air from the same spot as a stock mustang in the right front fender. if nothing can change then you would not be able to change the mass air meter or take the resonator out of the air box. All other carb cars don't have to run 100% stock stuff above the carb if so no drop bases and have the stock lid on them. I was told you anything past the throttle body was ok as long as you were getting air from the stock spot. __________________ James Boyce 6052 K/SA Stock National record holder 2015,2018,2 times in 2022,2023

07-23-2015, 08:29 PM	#5
GTOMayhem Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 172 Likes: 673 Liked 22 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit Another question along the same lines. On a car where the stock air box is mounted behind the head light and draws air through the radiator support, can the headlight be removed if you retain the stock air box? The stock rules state you must have one functioning headlight. Rick Thomason GTOMayhem

07-23-2015, 10:03 PM	#7
Ed Sroka Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lake Zurich, IL Posts: 22 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit We spend a great deal of time analyzing intake air options with the use of pressure barometers and anemometers placed on various points of the front and hood area. These smaller inlet sources provide a fraction of air in comparison to what the engine compartment realizes from the core support area, below the front bumper and through the inner fenders when applicable. A new Challenger receives almost 30,000 CFM at speed from these areas. The intake tube may work best as nothing more than a cross section to support the MAF sensor, if retained. If an aftermarket tube is legal, there may be gains to be found. The longer the inlet tube and the more transitions it encompasses, the higher the pressure drop and the velocity profile can suffer. These cars tend to be cooled and face less ambient temperature prior to runs. The key to better performance may be closer to the throttle body rather than what may occur by extending the tract nearer the core support or fender. Last edited by Ed Sroka; 07-23-2015 at 10:08 PM.

07-24-2015, 01:30 AM	#8
Tom Meyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pierce NE Posts: 936 Likes: 78 Liked 354 Times in 120 Posts	Re: Tech's opinion of cold air intake kit On are 2004 cavalier dirt track car on a wheel dyno. We started with a cold air intake that picked up air at the stock location with a K&N stile filter. We would gain 5 HP by taking it off at the TB, to make a long story short we ended up with a straight pipe that was a foot long with a air filter from a 97 chevy PU that lost 4/10th of a hp. this is on a 150 hp 4 cly motor. Tom __________________ Tom Meyer 5240 SS Stock ???