Thunderbird K&N Airfilter Installed

[Andyman8282]

I just installed a new K&N airfilter I bought from AutoAnything and took some pictures!

Stock Airbox

Removed Mass Air and top half of the stock airbox.

Removed bottom half of stock airbox

Put Mass Air back on and installed a temperature sensor bracket.

Attached K&N Airfilter to Mass Air sensor.

Side-shot of new Airfilter

Tools

More Tools

 

[slmann]

Looks good.

should have cleaned underneath the airbox before you installed the K&N though.

 

[Andyman8282]

Thanks!

Yeah, that actually wasn't the final installation, I forgot to put a hose-clamp on the back part of the filter so I cleaned it all up when I took it off again to put the clamp on.

 

[slmann]

Thanks!

Yeah, that actually wasn't the final installation, I forgot to put a hose-clamp on the back part of the filter so I cleaned it all up when I took it off again to put the clamp on.

Glad to hear that. I wasn't trying to be judgemental. It's just one of those things that I would of just had to do.

 

[mrfixit]

Andy, that isn a great photo essay. thanks for putting them up for us!

Any thoughts about adding a splash shield to that so it doesn't get soaked in rainstorms? Maybe a curved piece of lexan?

 

[Andyman8282]

Thank you, I plan on taking pics of every project I do from now on

I actually left the stock "splash shield" in the car, a lot of individuals take that little black tube out when installing the K&N (3rd pic from top) but I decided it would be best not to risk getting water in the throttle body. I'm open for suggestions if you can draw me out a little picture using MS Paint or something

 

[mrfixit]

OK, this is rough and crude, sorry... using dang touchpad to try and draw is like getting ryan to leave something the original color. The colors I used are only to make it plain and visible. the finished work would simply be clear and unobtrusive.

Here is the pic, description follows:

Very simply stated, you measure out a piece of flexible plastic (thin lexan works wonders; flexible and bulletproof. Attatch it at the inner fender at the top alongside the fastener flange. The piece then bends over your filter, but plenty of space to allow air flow all around. the bottom would screw into your frameside there, or if it's impossible to drill there, use several heavy duty zip ties. this would keep water from splashing on it and still allow you to see your masterpiece!

 

[Andyman8282]

I'll see what I can do, it's pretty water-tight around the filter itself believe it or not (I drove 30 miles in the rain and then opened the hood 2 days after installation) Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[O'Rattlecan]

we sell plexiglass at westlake if you need a piece. I can land you the discount for a small piece or cut you a deal on some scrap. let me know...

Ryan

 

[Brian_B]

I have a "MAC" intake on my explorer. It is a chrome tube over to the air flow thing (can't think go the name), then a chrome splash guard, and the MAC oval filter. It is just like a K&N, but shaped differently.

As far as HP...Nah thats all hype..

It sounds awesome and I never have to buy another.

 

[Andyman8282]

we sell plexiglass at westlake if you need a piece. I can land you the discount for a small piece or cut you a deal on some scrap. let me know...

Ryan

Thanks Ryan, I'll be sure to call ya up before I come to Westlake

 

[Andyman8282]

I have a "MAC" intake on my explorer. It is a chrome tube over to the air flow thing (can't think go the name), then a chrome splash guard, and the MAC oval filter. It is just like a K&N, but shaped differently.

As far as HP...Nah thats all hype..

It sounds awesome and I never have to buy another.

~ I've actually noticed a little boost in power (but I think it might be complimenting the exhaust installed) at RPMS above about 1800, but hardly a difference while driving normally around town.
~ Fuel mileage is EXACTLY the same as before
~ Definitely a little more rumble-resonance with the

Thanks again for the posts

 

[mrfixit]

~ Fuel mileage is EXACTLY the same as before

How can you tell the difference, if you keep putting your foot in it to hear the assorted SOUNDS???

 

[Brian_B]

The seat of his pants has a dynomometer built in....

I do like the sound, especially when gas was cheaper. I could run 93 octane and one of my performance tunes. It sounded really powerful. Key word...Sounded.

It is a stock 4.0 SOHC 4X4 with 4.10 gears.

 

[mrfixit]

I don't go so much by sound, but by how much it pulls me into the seat!!!

I used to run straight pipes on my big truck, and after 6 days of running hard, I could't hardly hear a thing when I got home. Now, I just whistle down the road and thru small towns at night without a care in the world!

 

[Andyman8282]

How can you tell the difference, if you keep putting your foot in it to hear the assorted SOUNDS???

The first tank of gas I recorded fuel-mileage was about 3mpg lower than before the filter, and you're absolutely right about hearing the "assorted sounds " Everytime I got onto the highway... ***

Before airfilter - 22.893mpg (average of 5 tanks of gas)

After airfilter
1st tank of gas - 19.739 mpg ***
2nd tank of gas - 22.937 mpg
3rd tank of gas - 24.019 mpg

 

[slmann]

Anydman how are things going with the K&N?

Still getting the same results?

Happy with the mod?

 

[Andyman8282]

Only one more tank of gas to add to the results - 23.310 mpg

Yeah still happy with the mod

 

[TexasNomad]

Sweet mod man.

 

[Andyman8282]

Thanks man

Still running strong, and I still get a little grin when I hear the sucking-air sound