CAI - MAF size

Clem · #1 11-11-2009, 06:41 PM

Like most everyone else on almost all forums, I have been reading a lot about installing a CAI.
Yesterday, I read one that had a response saying something about it not being worth the time or expense, because you were still trying to push air threw the same intake system. I thought, you know he's right, so in order to increase the air flow, one would have to install a different size MAF sensor housing to get a larger amount of air into the intake tube before the throttle body, which in turn should create a pressure increase in the intake manifold. I hope that sounds right, anyway, over the junk yard wandering this last summer, I picked up 2 that were of a larger size. One is replacing the stock one shown in the pictures for a 4.0 that is going into my B2 project and the other is going to go onto my 02 4.0 Ranger.
the one for the Ranger is the larger one.
Now the question, what is really, (not theoretical) going to happen?

Ray

RangerNDog · #2 11-11-2009, 08:34 PM

Just because you are able to suck more air in doesn't mean its going to increase pressure. Your not going to be able to put any more air into the intake manifold with out some way of pressurizing it, ie. Supercharger or Turbo. Now would swapping out the MAF housing with a larger one help, yes. The easier and free-er the motor can breath the better. I don't see any more than a few HP and a few TQ gain.

Clem · #3 11-12-2009, 07:35 AM

Agreed..
The pressurization would only happen while in motion forward, unless you do as you said, turbo or supercharge. There is always the redneck system tho, I haven't tried it, but have seen a couple pictures of it. Basically this guy took a 12v, 120mm fan, (cfm was not mentioned) and installed it in the air intake tube to the air box. I don't know if/or how it worked.
I ran across a larger throttle body for the 4.0 OHV that has the throttle linkage on the correct side and has a half inch larger diameter throat, but I'm not sure of the bolt pattern, may have to build an adapter for that. When i figure out which storage I put it in, I'll get a picture and some dimensions posted.
As for the HP - torque gain, that is what this is all about, 2 HP here, 4 there and so on, before long that $30 to $100 outlay gets you 20 or more HP and an unknown torque gain, (hopefully not a loss). Some where in that increase, hopefully you will also increase your mpg. I like the large increases in HP and torque as much as the other guys, but have found over the years that most are quite expensive and a trade off of something else, mostly mpg. Where doing small things one at a time are generally less $ to install, they are less $ to remove, so long as you haven't modified something during the conversion and screwed it up to where you are spending more $ to get it back to where it was originally. You can also spread the small mods out over a longer period of time to see whether that particular job did or did not benefit.
I am fairly sure this is going to be an ongoing topic for a while, and I am anxious to see what others have to say. I think I should have started this thread in the general discussion, as it pertains to all, not just 6 cylinders.

Ray

98blownranger · #4 11-12-2009, 05:51 PM

bad idea the MAS your truck came with is set for your injectors, you need one set for the size injectors you have. the one you have looks like a ranger MAS it is set for 19# unless it was from a 3.0 or 3.0FF
a high flow filter or cold air kit will make a nice differance. you can add a lot of power before you need to change to a larger MAS

oldfordisbetter · #5 11-14-2009, 12:31 PM

i just did airbox mod & k&n flat panel filter. i had a spectra intake on it but i dodnt feel any kinda power increase just a woosh sound on accel. it annyyed me so i modded airbox & got a panel filter. little better gas mileage after that.

Clem · #6 11-14-2009, 12:38 PM

That's great.
i am a firm believer in the little gains will over time, become larger gains.

Ray