posted by Bret
"i think everyone is wasting their time trying to perfect the air intake. you are only talking about a couple of hp here... personally i think the kkm is a waste of money..."
I think you are part right and part wrong Bret. As you stated- without an airbox, the KKM gains only 1-3HP over the SVTairbox/K&N as demonstrated by at least 3 dyno comparisons I'm aware of. But look at this (exerpt from FAQ, mis topics)
50 MPH, 88F, 75% humidity data obtained with Ford Rotunda NGS scan tool.
Stock SVT airbox
intake air temp 114F
MAF flow 3.8lb/min
KKM
intake air temp 148F
MAF flow 5.5lb/min
So, the KKM flowed about 45% more air. We have seen in dyno runs that the KKM leans out the rich SVT mixure significantly more than the stock SVT airbox/K&N. But with 45% more airflow, why only a small increase in power? Look at the 30F increase in intake air temp! Another posting on FAQ with underhood recorded temps at different speeds varifies this 30F or so increase, and I found similar numbers myself last summer in some informal testing. The formula is for each 10F in temp you lose 1% of you HP. So for us, that 30F is 6HP. This 6HP is what you stand to gain with a good airbox, over and above the 2HP or so typically found for the free standing KKM. (This is as much as a $500 catback!). The heat shield idea is a partial solution but without closing off all engine bay air, IAT will still be higher than stock. If you can get enough cool air into a closed box big enough for the KKM, I'm convinced that its going to give you about 6 cheap HP. (May not show on dyno IF you do runs with the hood open as heat soak minimized). And, more airflow is likly to be even more important in realising best gains from headers, exhaust mods, big throttle bodies, MAFs, etc.
So, John Miks is helping me out on this one with a custom designed airbox (a closed version of his heatshield). And well see.
