Engine Intake, throttle body, mass air combo

darrylglenda96 · Nov 30, 2021

Hey guys.
Update on our new 93 Mustang. Picked up about a week ago and runs pretty good, but can be better. Learned it has 65 mm throttle body, 70mm mass air.
What I have done so far.
New 9mm wires, cap, rotor, gaped plugs to.50, timing 12 degrees, base idle rest.
Major problem found : changed temperature gauge sending unit, as installing Crack the lower intake.
Shopping for new intake. Looking at 72mm holley systemax. New 19 lb injecters.
Question is? What's a good throttle body mass air meter combos that will work with new intake? And also consider other mods. Thanks for any help. Darryl

Mustang5L5 · Nov 30, 2021

I see from your other thread you have GT40 heads and Cobra intake. The TB/MAF you have will work fine because the heads are still a bottleneck. You really won't get the full benefit of a Systemmax intake until you change the heads for some better ones. The 65mm and 70MM MAF you already have will work perfectly fine for the combo you have right now.

Swapping the Cobra intake for the Systemmax won't really gain you power (due to the heads) but will shift the power later in the RPM band, at the cost of some power lower in the RPM range. If this is a street car, i would leave the cobra intake as it will give you more usable power. The systemmax (along with better heads) really belongs on a combo that will see a lot of time over 4-5000RPM, rather than cruising around at 2-3K on city streets.

You can open that plug gap up a tad to 0.054" as the stock plug range on stock ignition is 0.052-0.056"

darrylglenda96 · Nov 30, 2021

Mustang5L5 said:
I see from your other thread you have GT40 heads and Cobra intake. The TB/MAF you have will work fine because the heads are still a bottleneck. You really won't get the full benefit of a Systemmax intake until you change the heads for some better ones. The 65mm and 70MM MAF you already have will work perfectly fine for the combo you have right now.

Swapping the Cobra intake for the Systemmax won't really gain you power (due to the heads) but will shift the power later in the RPM band, at the cost of some power lower in the RPM range. If this is a street car, i would leave the cobra intake as it will give you more usable power. The systemmax (along with better heads) really belongs on a combo that will see a lot of time over 4-5000RPM, rather than cruising around at 2-3K on city streets.

You can open that plug gap up a tad to 0.054" as the stock plug range on stock ignition is 0.052-0.056"

Thank you for your help. Here's my delema. I either need a used lower cobra are a whole new intake. Any advice on my problem? Thanks Darryl

darrylglenda96 · Nov 30, 2021

darrylglenda96 said:
Thank you for your help. Here's my delema. I either need a used lower cobra are a whole new intake. Any advice on my problem? Thanks Darryl

EBay used upper and lower cobra running just as high as a new unit.

KRUISR · Nov 30, 2021

eBay used explorer lower (that is all you need). Or find a 5.0 Explorer in the wreckers.

Mustang5L5 · Nov 30, 2021

darrylglenda96 said:
Thank you for your help. Here's my delema. I either need a used lower cobra are a whole new intake. Any advice on my problem? Thanks Darryl

Why?

Hop on eBay and buy a used early explorer lower. They can be found for $100-200 on eBay or cheaper if you go to a junkyard:

RF-F87E-9K461-BA is the part number.

RF-F87E-9K461-BB is a later version that lacks EGR provisions. You can use it but it’s in your best interest to find the -BA lower

darrylglenda96 · Nov 30, 2021

Mustang5L5 said:
Why?

Hop on eBay and buy a used early explorer lower. They can be found for $100-200 on eBay or cheaper if you go to a junkyard:

RF-F87E-9K461-BA is the part number.

RF-F87E-9K461-BB is a later version that lacks EGR provisions. You can use it but it’s in your best interest to find the -BA lower

I found a BB on eBay. $300. It doesn't have the port on #5 runner, as the cobra does. Can you tell me what that's for? And how would I make the BB work.

Mustang5L5 · Nov 30, 2021

darrylglenda96 said:
I found a BB on eBay. $300. It doesn't have the port on #5 runner, as the cobra does. Can you tell me what that's for? And how would I make the BB work.

I’d keep looking. Here’s a -BB for $150

98 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER Lower Intake Manifold OEM 5.0L | eBay

Intake Manifold. This part will fit the following: EXPLORER 98 8-302 (5.0L), lower, ID F87E-CA. Local local pickup option also available.

www.ebay.com

I see a few -BAs have sold recently for $100 plus shipping. Just be patient

Running the -BB lower just means deleting your EGR. You’ll have to weigh the pros/cons of doing that. You’ll also need to drill/tap the 3/8npt port for the ACT and the return coolant line for the EGR spacer

darrylglenda96 · Nov 30, 2021

Mustang5L5 said:
I’d keep looking. Here’s a -BB for $150

98 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER Lower Intake Manifold OEM 5.0L | eBay

Intake Manifold. This part will fit the following: EXPLORER 98 8-302 (5.0L), lower, ID F87E-CA. Local local pickup option also available.

www.ebay.com

I see a few -BAs have sold recently for $100 plus shipping. Just be patient

Running the -BB lower just means deleting your EGR. You’ll have to weigh the pros/cons of doing that. You’ll also need to drill/tap the 3/8npt port for the ACT and the return coolant line for the EGR spacer

All the smog stuff has been removed. Thinking of delete egr at throttle body. Looks like port on the cobra #5 runner is bigger then 3/8. I appreciate the help. Here's another angle, do I buy something that is 25 plus old and risk it beening old. I cracked the other one pretty easy. I would be more careful this time. But I keep wanting to maybe go all new. HOLLEY SYSTEMAX

KRUISR · Nov 30, 2021

Where did you crack your original?

darrylglenda96 · Nov 30, 2021

KRUISR said:
Where did you crack your original?

Replacing the temperature gauge sending unit. Tighten to much and cracked on both sides of hole.

General karthief · Nov 30, 2021

Pics of the damage?

Mustang5L5 · Dec 1, 2021

darrylglenda96 said:
All the smog stuff has been removed. Thinking of delete egr at throttle body. Looks like port on the cobra #5 runner is bigger then 3/8. I appreciate the help. Here's another angle, do I buy something that is 25 plus old and risk it beening old. I cracked the other one pretty easy. I would be more careful this time. But I keep wanting to maybe go all new. HOLLEY SYSTEMAX

The ACT sensor and rear ports are all 3/8" NPT. I've drilled/tapped those myself many many times.

You can certainly step up to a Systemmax if you want. It's your money. Realistically though, that intake on your combo will probably result in a slight loss of power under 4000RPM and a gain of power over 4000. Which is more usable to you?

The likely cause of the intake cracking on you was RTV inside the bolt holes. When you tighened the bolts down, it likely caused the RTV/Grease/etc inside to hydraulic and crack the area.

You might even want to consider something like this. A TMoss ported lower. I'd probably try and get it for $375-400.

1986-1995 Ford Mustang GT40 Lower Intake Manifold Tmoss Ported Cobra 5.0 302 SVT | eBay

Item was beat blasted and then ported. I believe this lower is ported to a Felpro 1250 gasket. Look up Tmoss online. He is a well respected intake porter to really get the maximum power of your Explorer, GT40 Tubular or Cobra intake.

www.ebay.com

FYI, not that i'm trying to steer you to what I'm doing, but this is exactly what I run on my car. A Tmoss ported Cobra intake on top of TFS170 AL heads and a custom grind camshaft. I'm probably losing some power by sticking with the cobra intake, but i wanted the low end torque vs HP over 4000RPM. I'm rarely that high as i cruise around.

darrylglenda96 · Dec 1, 2021

Mustang5L5 said:
The ACT sensor and rear ports are all 3/8" NPT. I've drilled/tapped those myself many many times.

You can certainly step up to a Systemmax if you want. It's your money. Realistically though, that intake on your combo will probably result in a slight loss of power under 4000RPM and a gain of power over 4000. Which is more usable to you?

The likely cause of the intake cracking on you was RTV inside the bolt holes. When you tighened the bolts down, it likely caused the RTV/Grease/etc inside to hydraulic and crack the area.

You might even want to consider something like this. A TMoss ported lower. I'd probably try and get it for $375-400.

1986-1995 Ford Mustang GT40 Lower Intake Manifold Tmoss Ported Cobra 5.0 302 SVT | eBay

Item was beat blasted and then ported. I believe this lower is ported to a Felpro 1250 gasket. Look up Tmoss online. He is a well respected intake porter to really get the maximum power of your Explorer, GT40 Tubular or Cobra intake.

www.ebay.com

FYI, not that i'm trying to steer you to what I'm doing, but this is exactly what I run on my car. A Tmoss ported Cobra intake on top of TFS170 AL heads and a custom grind camshaft. I'm probably losing some power by sticking with the cobra intake, but i wanted the low end torque vs HP over 4000RPM. I'm rarely that high as i cruise around.

Thanks for the info. I've read good reviews on the holley intake. If I can find a lower for reasonable price I will do that. Problem is the difference is so small why not buy new.

Noobz347 · Dec 1, 2021

darrylglenda96 said:
Thanks for the info. I've read good reviews on the holley intake. If I can find a lower for reasonable price I will do that. Problem is the difference is so small why not buy new.

Once again, you should do what you like. I'll add two things but first:

Everything that Mustang5L5 told you is 100% and if you have additional questions about the [why] of it, you should ask them prior to ordering.

1st thing: That Cobra intake is the better intake of the two for your current combo.
2nd thing: If you are planning aluminum heads in the near future then I think the Systemax intake is a great choice.

The answer to the question you asked is the 1st thing.

Extra bonus thing: If it were me, I'd replace the lower intake with a TMOSS ported and start hunting for boost, injectors, and tune.

darrylglenda96 · Dec 1, 2021

Noobz347 said:
Once again, you should do what you like. I'll add two things but first:

Everything that Mustang5L5 told you is 100% and if you have additional questions about the [why] of it, you should ask them prior to ordering.

1st thing: That Cobra intake is the better intake of the two for your current combo.
2nd thing: If you are planning aluminum heads in the near future then I think the Systemax intake is a great choice.

The answer to the question you asked is the 1st thing.

Extra bonus thing: If it were me, I'd replace the lower intake with a TMOSS ported and start hunting for boost, injectors, and tune.

Thank you for your advice. Iam trying to buy the TMOSS lower now.

7991LXnSHO · Dec 1, 2021

Mustang5L5 said:
. I'm rarely that high as i cruise around.

It’s safer that way.

darrylglenda96 · Dec 1, 2021

7991LXnSHO said:
It’s safer that way.

I purchased the TMOSS on eBay $375 plus shipping. Around $425 total. I appreciate all the help

7991LXnSHO said:
It’s safer that way.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 1, 2021

darrylglenda96 said:
I purchased the TMOSS on eBay $375 plus shipping. Around $425 total. I appreciate all the help

That's a good deal as it cost me ~$375 (that includes shipping both ways) just to have mine ported after buying the lower intake. Given that lowers are in the $100-200 range now, you did well.

Boostedpimp · Dec 1, 2021

Listen to these guys. If you don't plan on going with some nice heads then pickup an explorer lower and rock the cobra.. I've installed a Systemax 2 intake on a stock motor with headers, hpipe, catback, 70mm tb and 80mm maf and I can say it lost a good bit of low end torque. Previous setup was a cobra intake with 65mm tb. So unless your ok with it being slower or plan to swap out the ring and pinion for a lower gear set to get you out of the sloppy low end quicker I would stick with the cobra/explorer setup

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