Hey guys, I'm thinking about putting a Cold Air intake on my 1994 4.0

Before I get hit with the "Don't do it" and "It's already a cold air intake" yes yes I know, just hear me out...

I have a leak in my air tube, and instead of paying ~$200 for a new air tube, i figure I could either buy something or make something that would work for that price.

I want to fabricate a larger airbox right behind the passenger-side headlight, right where the existing airbox pulls its air from. There are a few more holes there that I would like to harness for more airflow. I'd then like to fit a basic conical CIA in said airbox.

There's just one problem.. I can't find a decent CIA kit for a 94. So, Ive looked into a few options:
-AirAid U-Build-It kit
-1994 Mustang 3.8L aftermarket CIA kit
-1995+ Ranger 4.0 aftermarket CIA kit

Does anyone have any suggestions or feedback on these options or any other options?

 

Existing system is a CAI as you said, all vehicles with fuel injection got that, just simpler to do it with EFI that it was with a carb.

Ranger system is 200% setup so air filter can get about 50% clogged up, at 51% it would start to effect performance.

So larger air box is fine just won't change things.

What you have to do is listen for sound.
If you can hear your air system then you have created turbulence in the air flow, sounds great, even powerful, but it is a bad sign.

MAF sensor needs to be included in the air intake, it can be moved closer to the intake.
But ALL incoming air MUST flow thru the MAF sensor, MAF sensor only reads about 10% of the air flowing thru it, so any air leaks between MAF and intake causes a times 10 problem, so make sure air tubes are sealed well.

Cone filters are fine as long as you can't hear them when you REV the engine, but they probably only have 125% flow capacity so they do need to stay clean.
Just measure the filter material area on stock filter then do the same on the new filter, that will tell you the air flow difference.
And obviously the air tube for it must be at least the size of the MAF tube opening.

 

Ok, ill watch out for sounds. Is this turbulence usually in in the airbox, or downstream in the tubing?

So, if i make an air box that has more airflow in (closing in the existing intake hole along with some other holes roughly equal in size to the existing intake hole) than the existing system, it wont make a difference because of the 200% setup?

The mustang kits i am looking at have a place for the stock MAF housing to sit between the pipes in addition to coming with a filter and being under $100.

SR Performance Blackout Mustang Cold Air Intake 41093 (94-98 V6) - Free Shipping

Do you know if the 3.8L V6 has the same air tube diameter, or if there would be any other problems going in the mustang direction? Any suggestions on a kit would be much appreciated!!

Also, I see you have a 1994. Do you have a hose that connects your passenger-side header to the air intake, upstream of the airbox? Not quite sure what that hose is for, (an EGR?). Anyway, i took that hose off about 8K ago, and since then have been seeing much cleaner air filters. What do think about that hose?