Best bang for the buck for an intake?

[Yanos]

Hi!

I'm in the process or rebuilding a minorly damaged Mustang GT 2001. The only damaged mechanical part is the intake assembly where the air filter is connected.

As you're probably expecting, I won't buy an expensive OEM unit. I was wondering what was the cheapest replacement part offering good performances for the buck?

 

[1tirefire]

people recommend the densecharger or the k&n fipk around here. not much of a performance gain.

 

[twogts4us]

The "intake assembly where the air filter is connected" is the MAF - the densechager or K&N FIPK won't do a thing for Yanos. The OEM rubber intake is more or less indestructable.
So it depends on what's really broken here - is it the MAF, or the filter assembly, or ??? Got any pics?
You could replace the MAF with a 80mm C&L MAF if the OEM electronics are OK, but they are very sensitive and if they were part of the wreck, I'd be very suspect.
A trip to a bone yard might be in order....or ck www.stangparts.com

 

[twogts4us]

Damn busy server syndrome! - dbl post...

 

[BAFMustangGT]

Ok...this is such a old question but here we go again.

A CAI in not worth a single cent. They do not produce and messureable gains. If you are gona spend that much money get the MAF such as the one in my sig, but if you really want a noticeable gain, GET 4.10 GEARS!
DO NOT FEAR THE GEAR!

 

[FallenPhoenix]

Ok...this is such a old question but here we go again.

A CAI in not worth a single cent. They do not produce and messureable gains. If you are gona spend that much money get the MAF such as the one in my sig, but if you really want a noticeable gain, GET 4.10 GEARS!
DO NOT FEAR THE GEAR!

I think you gave a great answer to the wrong question.

We really need more info before a correct answer can be given.

 

[Yanos]

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Here's the best pic that I have for now.

 

[BAFMustangGT]

 

[BAFMustangGT]

http://www.cnlperformance.com/80mm_96-01.html

YOu also want the pipe. It comes to around 350 or so...you may be able to find a used one on corral or soemthing.
(But GET gears)

 

[FallenPhoenix]

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. Here's the best pic that I have for now.

No worries bud, what condition is the part that BAFmustangGT circled in red and blue? That's the actual Mass Air Flow sensor housing. I believe there should be a screen and a small venturii type object in the MAF. You can also check it with a multimeter but I forget how off hand.

 

[NewStangNewbee]

what is maf, a densecharger, or a fipk?

 

[BAFMustangGT]

Mass Air Flow,
It senses how much air is flowing...

 

[Yanos]

http://www.cnlperformance.com/80mm_96-01.html

YOu also want the pipe. It comes to around 350 or so...you may be able to find a used one on corral or soemthing.
(But GET gears)

There's already Flowmasters & gears, that was a nice gift when I first discovered it! Hehehehe... Thanks for the link!

That's a bit expensive for a replacement part that'll give nearly zero horsepower. I'll go for this one only if it's necessary.

 

[FallenPhoenix]

what is maf, a densecharger, or a fipk?

The MAF is a Mass AirFlow sensor, it basically measures how much air (by measuring the voltage needed to maintain a specific temperature of an element I believe) is actually entering the engine. It sends this measurement to the ECU which determines the pulse width of the injectors (how much fuel) and the spark timing to use.

The Densecharger and the K&N FIPK are Cold Air Intakes that usually replace the entire black rubber/plastic piece from the throttle body to the air filter, excluding the MAF itself.

 

[BAFMustangGT]

If your looking for -looks-, ebay...(Infact go on ebay and try to find the C&L),
But if you want some pep, get the C&L. They also are better than CAI for future power adders.

 

[Yanos]

No worries bud, what condition is the part that BAFmustangGT circled in red and blue? That's the actual Mass Air Flow sensor housing. I believe there should be a screen and a small venturii type object in the MAF. You can also check it with a multimeter but I forget how off hand.

I'll have to look at it more carefully, but the "box" itself is ok. It's only because the air filter moved by about 2 inches and caused its plastic support to crack.

 

[Yanos]

The Densecharger and the K&N FIPK are Cold Air Intakes that usually replace the entire black rubber/plastic piece from the throttle body to the air filter, excluding the MAF itself.

You're right, after looking at some pics it's the plastic tube holding the MAF box that is damaged.

 

[BAFMustangGT]

Then your gona have to replace it obviously...get the C&L...

 

[Yanos]

What about the Densecharger kit?

100mm meter forward system
Pro-M MAF
ABS ¼" plastic intake pipes with CNC'd MAF Flange
Polycarbonate high gloss black unbreakable cover plates
K&N RU3480 Filtercharger
OEM Sensor Safe Permatex

Everything for 280$ US shipped. Won't it replace all the cracked MAF housing?

 

[twogts4us]

What about the Densecharger kit?

100mm meter forward system
Pro-M MAF
ABS ¼" plastic intake pipes with CNC'd MAF Flange
Polycarbonate high gloss black unbreakable cover plates
K&N RU3480 Filtercharger
OEM Sensor Safe Permatex

Everything for 280$ US shipped. Won't it replace all the cracked MAF housing?

Yep - this is a good buy!!!
By the way, as I stated previously, the MAF is very sensitive (there a just a couple of thin wires in there - if they got broken in the accident, the MAF is junk) and the electronics are reused when 'upgrading' to the C&L MAF. So, if you were to buy the C&L kit and the OEM electronics were shot, you'd be screwed.
Go with the Densecharger kit for $280 - that's a great value.