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ANY INDEPENDENT DYNO TESTS DONE ON COLD AIR INTAKES FOR RR 3.0?

calelvis

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HAS anyone seen or done some dyno tests on the major brands of cold air intakes to see if they actually do produce any horsepower gains..
ie: K& N Advertises a 27 hp gain plus some torque... etc.. most others manufactures state hp and torque gains..??
looking to upgrade factory air box/filter if worth the dollars. some are a visual upgrade for sure, but would like to gain both power and appearance :). thanks!
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HAS anyone seen or done some dyno tests on the major brands of cold air intakes to see if they actually do produce any horsepower gains..
ie: K& N Advertises a 27 hp gain plus some torque... etc.. most others manufactures state hp and torque gains..??
looking to upgrade factory air box/filter if worth the dollars. some are a visual upgrade for sure, but would like to gain both power and appearance :). thanks!
I would say there's no gain, or if there is it's within margin of error or external factors. There might be an improvement with back to back runs, but even then I would be surprised if it's anything meaningful

The stock air intake is sort of already a cold air intake, the only drawback is the t-piece tubing that splits the air to both turbos - most aftermarket CAI have dedicated pipes or separate pod filters.

I know Fabulous Fabrications over here did pre and post dyno runs with their CAI - from memory there was only a few kw gain, not enough to not be margin of error or external environmental factors. The Fabulous Fab CAI is decent too - separate pod filters, aluminum design and fully sealed box. For the price you do it for the looks, or if you can have a custom ECU tune to take advantage of any extra airflow the CAI gives

Long story short - if you want power, you need a tune. An aftermarket CAI will support the tune. It's a support mod in my opinion. No point doing it without a tune (unless you like the look)

If you want some added sound, throw on a vent to atmosphere BOV - they're cheap and easy to install
 
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calelvis

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THANKS FOR THE INFO.. I DO HAVE THE FP TUNE, JUST WANT TO MAXIMIZE IT'S BENEFITS:)
 

stuartmunto

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THANKS FOR THE INFO.. I DO HAVE THE FP TUNE, JUST WANT TO MAXIMIZE IT'S BENEFITS:)
Yeah even still, Ford Performance would have setup and tested the tune with the stock air box. Not sure if it will make much of a difference either way?
 
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calelvis

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maybe sound and looks is part of decision making:)
 

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I tested S&B, picked up solid power up top. This was E50, but a good idea of what difference the intake made

Ford Ranger ANY INDEPENDENT DYNO TESTS DONE ON COLD AIR INTAKES FOR RR 3.0? E30_500whp vs stock intake_bigger diff up to
 

Carbon6G

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I just installed the K&N CAI and I already had the FP tune on my 2.3. While I don't have any dyno charts to backup anything, there's a difference but I don't think it is what K&N advertises. It's definitely louder. K&N advertises some lower rpm gains but I think it's more throttle response than anything. There is probably more power up top and closer to WOT - similar to a Rousch CAI I had on a 2022. I do find the transmission is a little confused in normal and will not sit in the right gear but when in sport, it goes away. Maybe some lag now? The idle has smoothed out some.

Not super impressed with K&N with the materials and set up. The intake tube is right up against the charge pipe even though it is as far against the turbo inlet as it can go, and am concerned it might wear. Contacted K&N and no response yet.
 
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calelvis

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great info.. thanks gents!!
 

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I would say there's no gain, or if there is it's within margin of error or external factors. There might be an improvement with back to back runs, but even then I would be surprised if it's anything meaningful

The stock air intake is sort of already a cold air intake, the only drawback is the t-piece tubing that splits the air to both turbos - most aftermarket CAI have dedicated pipes or separate pod filters.

I know Fabulous Fabrications over here did pre and post dyno runs with their CAI - from memory there was only a few kw gain, not enough to not be margin of error or external environmental factors. The Fabulous Fab CAI is decent too - separate pod filters, aluminum design and fully sealed box. For the price you do it for the looks, or if you can have a custom ECU tune to take advantage of any extra airflow the CAI gives

Long story short - if you want power, you need a tune. An aftermarket CAI will support the tune. It's a support mod in my opinion. No point doing it without a tune (unless you like the look)

If you want some added sound, throw on a vent to atmosphere BOV - they're cheap and easy to install
Yep. I'm happy with the stock setup and aftermarket AF only. Sometimes I run a stainless one which actually makes a difference not only in power, but sound, and boost. Flows way more than any K&N, BMC can throw at it.

Ford Ranger ANY INDEPENDENT DYNO TESTS DONE ON COLD AIR INTAKES FOR RR 3.0? 20250623_143956


Ford Ranger ANY INDEPENDENT DYNO TESTS DONE ON COLD AIR INTAKES FOR RR 3.0? 20250623_144153
 

AMGRAPTOR

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I tested S&B, picked up solid power up top. This was E50, but a good idea of what difference the intake made

E30_500whp vs stock intake_bigger diff up top.jpg
Wow that’s a pretty good gain? Have you tested this with just a 93oct tune?
 

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calelvis

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thanks for the update,, wow, you're pulling lot of hp!! do you think this much tune is detrimental to the longevity of the engine life for the 3.0?? I have the pro cal tune on my 25 RR and I am a little underwhelmed with it.. running 91 octane.. my 22 2 dr. bronco has the pro cal tune on the 2.7 and I swear, it seems as fast as my RR with same ford perf. tune...appreciate your thoughts..!
 

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Wow that’s a pretty good gain? Have you tested this with just a 93oct tune?
91oct I have. I saw a 15hp increase in power. It will be very very similar on 93
 

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Yep. I'm happy with the stock setup and aftermarket AF only. Sometimes I run a stainless one which actually makes a difference not only in power, but sound, and boost. Flows way more than any K&N, BMC can throw at it.

20250623_143956.jpg


20250623_144153.jpg
Who makes this one ?
 
 







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