K&N or TRUE-Rev?

[Daktari]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Hi there,

I'm still undecided on this intake thing. If the aim is to collect more cold, denser air for the combustion process, is it not possible to take the air from somewhere away from the engine?

I realize that there may not be space under there now but I'm thinking if you could gain extra h.p. by doing this, why do car manufacturers not build this into the original design?

I have been browsing other web sites that touch on this subject and it seems a lot of folks build there own ducting in an attempt to get faster, cooler air. Mind you, these are not T-Bird owners so I guess the possibilities vary from car to car.

Just wondering, Gordon.

[Balzout]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

The CAI improves power due to a significantly reduced amount of restriction on air flow, not so much because of the temperture of the air. Once you remove the stock air box you'll see why. The same is true for the Borla System; compare the mandrel bent Borla pipes to the crinkle cut french fry-looking stock pipes...

IMO, you have probably spent a nice chuck of money on your bird. Why go cheap now? Remeber that you get what you pay for...

Also, if you are going to get a CAI, you may as well get an aftermarket exhaust system too. You are going to get more air into the engine, so you need to get more out as well...otherwise your CAI is only going to give you a marginal gain.

Think of your engine simply as an air pump.

My 2 cents...BTW I found a new Borla System on fee-bay rfor $625.00 and my K&N CAI for $200.

[Daktari]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Hello again,

Well, the more I find out, the less I know. I am now leaning more to the K&N air intake but I find there are three choices available.

1) A short ram intake.

2) Cold air intake.

3) Full cold air intake.

It seems the #1 option is what it says - just a short tube with a high performance filter on the end.
The #2 option apparently has extra tubing which is directed into the wheel well.
The #3 option can be changed from short ram to cold air,(or so I understand it).

Which of these options are most of you T-Birders choosing and when I decide which is the best option do you know if the guy called Phil is still selling them? The best price I have seen so far on line for the Typhoon version is $221.51 with free shipping. Does this seem an ok price?

The black nylon version is slightly more money but claims a few more h.p. However, the extra h.p. is obtained at over 6,000 revs whilst the steel version offers slightly less h.p. but at a more usable 4,500 revs.

Thanks once again for any suggestions.

[Icebluebird]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

I would go with the system that gives you the most cold air possible and the least restrictions. There are some who say that metal pipes heat up more and impart the heat to the incoming air. Those folks like the "plastic" pipe intakes.

If you remove your filter box you will see four possibilities for cold air intake. One in the side of the fender. One by the headlight. One on the floor of the "box" and one opposite to the fender.

What I intend to do is to build a box with openings in these areas to draw in cold air and try to keep the hot air from the engine compartment away from the filter.

I think the Typhoon tries to do this with its baffle but there is no top so you are relying on the quality of the seal to the hood.

[Ediron]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

There seems to be two types , Typhoon and 57 series FLPK which cost a couple of $ more.Advantage of both ??
Gordon the price looks OK I saw it on e-bay for $230 free S/H FLPK was $237 free S/H

[Daktari]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Morning,

Reading in to this a bit more, I have found that taking a longer, plastic pipe will grab more ,cooler air and will give more h.p. However, the length of the tube is directly related to the rev range where the extra h.p. is usable - in this case around 6,000 r.p.m.

In normal day to day driving, who is gonna let their engine rev that high?-Not me for one.

On the other hand, a shorter, steel tube will pull in air that is maybe a bit warmer but because it is travelling in a straight line with less distance to cover, the extra h.p. arrives at a more useful 4,500 r.p.m. although the increase in h.p. is slightly less.

I feel that by reading into all this that I am slowly learning, that is if everyhing I have just stated is correct and not a load of bull....!

After all this ,I am gonna go with the steel short ram K&N which hopefully will give me a few more h.p. in the 4,500 r.p.m. range and because it does away with a lot of the original Ford baffling, a more interesting sound too.

Please correct me if I am wrong on any of the above, Gordon.

[Daktari]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Hi again,

Just out of interest, I wrote to Warren Kurtz at 'Kurtz Kustomz Motorsports' asking about the development of the True Rev induction system. The following is the answer that I received:


Gordon,
Our system does utilize the stock intake tube, though there are are very few Ford vehicles we have ever felt needed a different intake tube design for better performance. Many manufacturers set out to build a complete system from the start, but we feel the main restriction is in the stock airbox assembly and that is what we have addressed.

In our companies history since '97, we have dyno tuned many vehicles and not seen any significant gains by replacing the stock intake tubes. Our system for the 03-up 3.9L engine has shown to produce a gain of 9hp and 14ft/lbs torque at the wheel. Hope this info helps.

Warren Kurtz.


Just thought I would share this info in case there are any Thunderbirders out there like me, trying to decide which intake to go with.

Gordon.

[Balzout]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

I went with the K&N short Ram Typhoon for the same reason of useable HP at 4500 rpm as you mentioned. It suits me just fine.

Be careful; Don't buy your CAI from autopartswarehouse.com - They had one for $219 and free shipping; They gave me a royal screwing (long story). I found mine on e-bay for $210 shipped, new in box.

[EllisonCal]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

If you want to increase the flow of air and save the stock look of the engine, you can order a K&N Lifetime, Washable, direct replacement Air Filter from www.performancecenter.com for $48.43 including shipping. The part number is 33-2266 which is the same part number for the Lincoln LS 3.9L engine.

I installed a similar filter on my 2002 Toyota Avalon and found better performance and increased fuel economy. It is noisier than the stock paper element but I doubt if any of you will complain since the exhaust noise blocks the sucking sound anyway.

Cal

[bottomtime]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Hi again,

Just out of interest, I wrote to Warren Kurtz at 'Kurtz Kustomz Motorsports' asking about the development of the True Rev induction system. The following is the answer that I received:


Gordon,
Our system does utilize the stock intake tube, though there are are very few Ford vehicles we have ever felt needed a different intake tube design for better performance. Many manufacturers set out to build a complete system from the start, but we feel the main restriction is in the stock airbox assembly and that is what we have addressed.

In our companies history since '97, we have dyno tuned many vehicles and not seen any significant gains by replacing the stock intake tubes. Our system for the 03-up 3.9L engine has shown to produce a gain of 9hp and 14ft/lbs torque at the wheel. Hope this info helps.

Warren Kurtz.


Just thought I would share this info in case there are any Thunderbirders out there like me, trying to decide which intake to go with.

Gordon.

Gordon: What is the particular name, and/or part or item number, of the system above as described in the letter, also the cost? I too have been getting mixed results, which is defined as confusion, from all the various combinations that are offered. The letter you received above makes sense to me, insofar as getting to the main core issue, rather than all the fluff and cosmetics that are offered on some of these CAI kits. Appreciate your response and thank you.

[Daktari]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Hi Donn,

I believe the True Rev version by Kurtz Kustomz is referred to as an induction system as opposed to a true cold air intake. As mentioned before, this will give slightly less h.p. but in a more usable rev range.

The part# is 203903 designed for the 2003-5 T-Birds and sells for $134.95 I believe.
They do a similar product for 2002 models but I don't have the part# for that at the moment. If you look back onto page 1 of this thread, there is a post where you can click into their website where it shows a picture of the unit.

Hope this is of some help, Gordon.

[bottomtime]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

Hi Donn,

I believe the True Rev version by Kurtz Kustomz is referred to as an induction system as opposed to a true cold air intake. As mentioned before, this will give slightly less h.p. but in a more usable rev range.

The part# is 203903 designed for the 2003-5 T-Birds and sells for $134.95 I believe.
They do a similar product for 2002 models but I don't have the part# for that at the moment. If you look back onto page 1 of this thread, there is a post where you can click into their website where it shows a picture of the unit.

Hope this is of some help, Gordon.

GORDON: THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY AND INFORMATION. THIS ONE (ABOVE) SOUNDS LIKE THE ONE I WANT.....I'M SURE I'LL GO FOR IT AS IT SOLVES THE BASIC PROBLEM, I. E., INCREASES THE AIR FLOW WITHOUT ALL THE "HYPE" OF THE OTHERS. THANKS AGAIN...DONN

[bottomtime]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

REGARDING THIS TRUE-REV, AND ALL THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT AIR FLOW, BAFFLES, AIR TEMPERATURES , ETC., ETC., I LOOKED VERY CLOSLY AT THE INSTALLED TRUE-REV SYSTEM, AND IN MY OPINION THERE IS, OR WILL NOT BE, VERY LITTLE IF ANY RESTRICTIONS. WHY - IF YOU NOTICE WHERE THIS FILTER IS LOCATED, (LOOKING AT THE PICTURES) IT IS VIRTUALLY OPEN TO THE AIR FLOW RIGHT NEXT AND CLOSE TO, THE AIR BEING FORCED THROUGH THE GRILLE, TO THE FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. REALIZING THAT THERE IS A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF AIR, BEING PUSHED THROUGH THE GRILLE, WHEN MOVING, AND STAYING PRETTY MUCH THE SAME TEMPERATURE AS THE OUTSIDE AIR, AND THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO RESTRICTIONS AND/OR ENCLOSURES WHATSOEVER, TO PREVENT THIS SYSTEM (FILTER) FROM DRAWING IN THE SAME AIR, AT THE SAME TEMPERATURE OF THE OUTSIDE AIR. REGARDING THE BAFFLES DISCUSSION, THE ONLY RESISTANCE THEY CREATE IS WHEN USING THE STOCK FACTORY SET-UP. THIS TRUE-REV SYSTEM, IS DOWNSTREAM OF THE FACTORY AIR BOX, AND ANY AND ALL BAFFLING, WHEN IT WAS THERE BEFORE INSTALLATION, AND IS TOTALLY OPEN TO TAKE IN THE SAME AIR THAT THE RADIATOR IS BEING COOLED BY. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE INSTALLATION, WHERE THE FILTER IS LOCATED, AND TELL ME WHY IT'S NOT GOING TO GET AS MUCH AIR WITH THE OPEN EXPOSED FILTER, AS OPPOSED TO BEING RESTRICTED WITH OR WITHOUT BAFFLES, ETC., AND WHY THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR WOULD BE GREATLY CHANGED. AT MODERATE SPEEDS, THERE IS A HUGE VOLUME OF AIR BEING FORCED THROUGH THE GRILLE, INTO AND AROUND THE RADIATOR AREA, AND THERE SITS THIS TRUE-REV SYSTEM FILTER, TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY UNRESTRICTED AND EXPOSED, RIGHT IN THE SAME AREA NEXT TO THE RADIATOR USING THIS SAME AIR AT THE SAME TEMPERATURE OF THE OUTSIDE AIR ......I REST MY CASE......

[JAB02LHS]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

..I REST MY CASE......

That's why they make both styles, so you have a choice.
What ever floats you boat!
Save some bucks if that one makes you happy!

[bottomtime]

Re: K&N or TRUE-Rev?

That's why they make both styles, so you have a choice.
What ever floats you boat!
Save some bucks if that one makes you happy!

Great Pictures!!! Can anyone tell me what is the difference in performance between the two?????????