Originally posted by Mustang:
I've recently purchased an SVT and am looking to make a few performance mods. The most glaring problem (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong!) is the UIM. The airflow pattern just looks silly. Air goes past the TB and Imediately has to make 2 90' turns..then a bit furthur along the intake tract another 90' turn to the 2 main rails. Finally to get to each intake tract (all 12) yet another almost 90' bend. To me this is totally counterproductive to making usable HP. I know everyone wants to add all these special airfilter/intake kits to smooth airflow and gain massive HP ( what? 2-3 if that?) only to get it negated by the brick wall intake manifold. I think this is the main reason why there's such a small performance gain by adding any type of intake kit.
How to remedy this problem (besides muting the author)? Picture the TB about 6-12" closer to the drivers side fender. Then picture the intake stretched out to the TB. A couple of major bends just got smoothed out and a hell of a lot less turbulence in the UIM.
I think this would hell a ton in making HP regardless of it being stock or modded.



It's not wrong.

Bends in pipes don't create turbulence, they can slow down peak velocity but that is all. It is objects int eh airstream or rough spots and funny shapes that will cause turbulence.
Turbulence down where the fuel is injected is generally good, especially in the combustion chamber.

Up higher in the intake it has no benefit.

Rough intake runners will create drag on the airflow and slow it down. The best is to be smooth all the way down to where the fuel is injected as it goes in the head.

The pipes in the manifold are designed that way for a reason, straightening them out would provide a very minor performance benefit in the rpm ranges that the stock motor deals with.
A manifold redesign would take into account rpm range, camshaft profile, design power rating, valve sizes, and of course packaging constraints.

So don't knock it.

Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760 356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas! See My Mods '05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red '06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black