• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech

Why remove the Air Silencer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 91conv
  • Start date Start date Dec 4, 2003
9

91conv

New Member
Sep 15, 2003
59
0
0
fenton, mi
Dec 4, 2003
#1
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #1
Sorry for the 'newbie' question. I'm making the jump from 65-68 Mustangs to this '90...It will be a long learning period.
Thanks
 

ib_steed

Member
Aug 13, 2003
203
0
16
Sunnyvale, CA
Dec 4, 2003
#2
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #2
my understanding is that it functions like a mufler, and muflers restrict flow
besides its kinda funny lookin'

-Ryan
 

i4power

Founding Member
Jan 11, 2002
1,083
0
0
Eglin AFB, Florida
Dec 4, 2003
#3
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #3
The reason alot of people remove it is because it's restrictive, and quiets the intake. Removing it won't make a noticeable difference, it'll just be louder.
 

jman_b13

Founding Member
Jul 27, 2000
2,267
0
0
Edmond/Norman OK
Dec 4, 2003
#4
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #4
go get a soda straw and try and breathe through it. same thing as the air silencer on the engine

it really won't add a whole lot of power though. basically you won't be able to tell the difference, it will just sound louder.
 
9

91conv

New Member
Sep 15, 2003
59
0
0
fenton, mi
Dec 4, 2003
#5
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #5
jman_b13 said:
... basically you won't be able to tell the difference, it will just sound louder.
Click to expand...

So, I'll see more benefit from removing the entire Air Box and making a cold air intake or putting a K&N cone filter in it's place?
 

i4power

Founding Member
Jan 11, 2002
1,083
0
0
Eglin AFB, Florida
Dec 4, 2003
#6
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #6
91conv said:
So, I'll see more benefit from removing the entire Air Box and making a cold air intake or putting a K&N cone filter in it's place?
Click to expand...

Yup, pretty much.
 

mr_woodster

Active Member
Jul 28, 2003
1,314
0
36
Riverside, CA
Dec 4, 2003
#7
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #7
91conv said:
So, I'll see more benefit from removing the entire Air Box and making a cold air intake or putting a K&N cone filter in it's place?
Click to expand...

yes for the most part u will see a better result from the custom cold air intake (cai). If u are looking for performance though, i would suggest a straightup 2.3turbo motor swap. Since u are new to this game do a few searches on "turbo" and ull see what a differnce this swap will do. 2.3 n/a =88-105(depnding on year) 2.3 turbo =175 -205 (thats stock boost...it can handle way more). Good luck, welcome to the 2.3 world do my best to answer any questions i can,and refer you to the smarter people who i know can ;o)

keep it real
-wood
 
9

91conv

New Member
Sep 15, 2003
59
0
0
fenton, mi
Dec 4, 2003
#8
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #8
i4power said:
Yup, pretty much.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Which do you recomend? Cold air intake or remove box and replace with K&N?
 
9

91conv

New Member
Sep 15, 2003
59
0
0
fenton, mi
Dec 4, 2003
#9
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #9
mr_woodster said:
... 2.3turbo motor swap. Since u are new to this game do a few searches on "turbo" and ull see what a differnce this swap will do.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have been lurking here for awhile and understand that the turbo swap is the best bet, however, in my case, it is far down the road. I have a '65 Mustang project at this time (which gets most of my attention and fun money) So, I am looking for some small ways to get any performance boost out of this engine right now and then in a few years seriously consider the T-Swap.

It is a '90 (88-90HP), 5spd convertible. Not a '91 as my name implies. It is a fun car in great condition, that my family has had since new (was my brothers). It has 180K miles on it, so I think a rebuild or engine swap is in it's future. My wife will be driving it in nice weather, about 5K per year. If I can get a couple years out of the engine, I'll be happy.

Thanks for your help.
 

i4power

Founding Member
Jan 11, 2002
1,083
0
0
Eglin AFB, Florida
Dec 4, 2003
#10
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #10
91conv said:
Thanks.

Which do you recomend? Cold air intake or remove box and replace with K&N?
Click to expand...

Don't buy one. Build it yourself. It'll be way cheaper, and you can set it up to have a place to plug in the vacuum lines. But yeah, i'd go with a fenderwell setup.
 

mr_woodster

Active Member
Jul 28, 2003
1,314
0
36
Riverside, CA
Dec 4, 2003
#11
  • Dec 4, 2003
  • #11
91conv said:
My wife will be driving it in nice weather, about 5K per year. If I can get a couple years out of the engine, I'll be happy.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
well depending on how well its been maintained it could last forever, mine is running 181k on the ticker, with the stock bottem end, had a new headgasket and valve cover gasket put on when i ported the head, but other than that she runs as good as new. If u keep her properly tuned up, with the 5speed, she should see way more 200k easy.

And yes, fabricate your own fenderwell intake if you decide to go that way, just buy a cone and do the piping out of whateveryou fancy. cheap and more custom of a fit IMO.

ttfn
-wood
 

CruzNlife1

Founding Member
Feb 17, 2002
1,419
0
0
West Palm Beach
Dec 5, 2003
#12
  • Dec 5, 2003
  • #12
muahaha.... My 96 2.3 5-SPEED ranger, which has the EXACT same motor as the mustangs, has WELL OVER 275,000 Miles now, on the STOCK MOTOR, STOCK TRANNY, and 3 clutches !!!! It's a bit sluggish, but relaible, NO SMOKE, always starts right up, oil stays full even at my usual 10K mile oil changes (if it's lucky enough for that) and still gets pretty decent gas mileage.... Motor will last.... I beat the snot out of it....
 

silver pony

Founding Member
Jun 10, 2002
2,013
0
0
San Bernardino,CA USA 92405
Dec 5, 2003
#13
  • Dec 5, 2003
  • #13
just put in a stock replacemnt K&N filter, cut the lower half of the airbox so it can breat better, and replace the intake tubing with 2.5-3" tubing.

you get the same results, slightly better throttle response, slightly throatier, and a slight better top end. a CAI does nothing but look "cool" on a N/A 2.3 with little to lots of mods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine (EGR Deleted) Solution the hotter combustion chambers?
  • PonyGTrider
  • Jan 21, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 3 4 5
Replies
97
Views
3K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 2, 2026
PonyGTrider
K
3.8 T5 & Bellhousing to 1987 Lincoln 5.0
  • ks65stang
  • Mar 2, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
3
Views
262
Other Auto Tech Mar 3, 2026
Noobz347
Removing speedo cable from the VSS
  • 91AOD5.0LX
  • Mar 25, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
740
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 25, 2026
91AOD5.0LX
9
Engine Donor '00 Mountaineer meet '91 Fox
  • 91firecracker
  • May 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
41
Views
703
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 28, 2026
91firecracker
9
Resolved Three way cat converters..?
  • PonyGTrider
  • Nov 2, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
246
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 2, 2025
PonyGTrider
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?