Stock airbox vs anderson power pipe

2690 Views 42 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Mustang5L5, 1 mo ago

SNK VNM

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Pretty sure I'm splitting hairs here but I'll ask anyway.

For a n/a, stock bottom end, afr 165s, custom cam, ported Cobra, shorty header setup would a 4 inch anderson na power pipe over a stock air box with speed density tube be worth using? Power gain? Ease of filter maintenance for the stock box? (Will most likely be tuned with pimpxs so no need for a maf.)

I have the power pipe and I have my stock air box. I either need to order a filter for the power pipe or find a speed density tube so either way I'm spending money. The engine is currently being assembled so I have time to find a speed density tube if I went that route.

Search button shows the stock box is generally preferred to a bbk style cai but those are usually maf based cars and aren't comparing to a cai like the power pipe.

Thanks for any input.

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 43 Posts

Mustang5L5

· #2 · 2 mo ago

I went down this rabbit hole a while back comparing the power pipe with the stock air box. From what i've read and looked at various users combos and dynos and yadda yadda, it does seem that the Anderson Power Pipe will make a little more power than the stock airbox setup. How much depends on the combo.

I almost convinced myself to buy one based on what i dug up, except I can't convince myself on it's looks, but that's a me thing. As much as i care about every single HP, there's a certain engine appearance I want to maintain.

Reactions: 1

89fast5oh

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Mustang5L5 said:
I went down this rabbit hole a while back comparing the power pipe with the stock air box. From what i've read and looked at various users combos and dynos and yadda yadda, it does seem that the Anderson Power Pipe will make a little more power than the stock airbox setup. How much depends on the combo.

I almost convinced myself to buy one based on what i dug up, except I can't convince myself on it's looks, but that's a me thing. As much as i care about every single HP, there's a certain engine appearance I want to maintain.

I know exactly what you mean about maintaining a certain appearance.

Motor vehicle Automotive design Auto part Car Vehicle

See less See more

Reactions: 3

SNK VNM

Discussion Starter · #4 · 2 mo ago

Mustang5L5 said:
I went down this rabbit hole a while back comparing the power pipe with the stock air box. From what i've read and looked at various users combos and dynos and yadda yadda, it does seem that the Anderson Power Pipe will make a little more power than the stock airbox setup. How much depends on the combo.

I almost convinced myself to buy one based on what i dug up, except I can't convince myself on it's looks, but that's a me thing. As much as i care about every single HP, there's a certain engine appearance I want to maintain.

I'm on the fence looks wise but I really like the simplicity of the stock air box. When the car was supercharged I hated how dirty air filter (upr power pipe) got in just a few thousand miles, especially for being in the fender. It's not a huge deal but cleaning an oiled conical filter, re oiling and the labor time to remove and reinstall sure sucks compared to dropping a new panel filter in the stock box.

If I thought I'd see more than 5 rwhp I'd just do the power pipe but I'm not convinced the maintenance hassle is worth minimal power gains.

Are you still maf based? If not, are you using a 87-88 air tube from the box to throttle body?

Thanks for the input.

Mustang5L5

· #5 · 2 mo ago

SNK VNM said:
Are you still maf based? If not, are you using a 87-88 air tube from the box to throttle body?

I'm still MAF based for now, but once i go to my Megasquirt setup i'll be going back to SD and swapping my original 87-88 air tube back on.

I'm not even sure the power pipe will fit with my MM STB, which is another thing I don't want to lose.

But this is what i mean when i say a certain look (other than the dirty battery which has been replaced). TFS170s, custom cam, ported cobra, etc...so similar combo, but not interested in chasing every single HP.

Vehicle Car Hood Motor vehicle Automotive tire

See less See more

Reactions: 4

rjdcobra

· #6 · 2 mo ago

For what it’s worth I have a 5.0 with afr165, FTI custom cam, ported explorer lower with 76mm pro-m going to stock airbox with drop in k&n and silencer Removed that was Leech tuned..wanted a 2 step so added a msd 6al2 were the stock airbox sits and installed a conical k&n on maf…through many data logs engine was repeatedly way leaner at wot after just open conical filter and msd install..leech added 10% more fuel and car runs pulled a little harder..no idea if stock air box was holding it back that much and/or mixture of better spark from msd. but it definitely made a little difference.

SNK VNM

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

rjdcobra said:
For what it’s worth I have a 5.0 with afr165, FTI custom cam, ported explorer lower with 76mm pro-m going to stock airbox with drop in k&n and silencer Removed that was Leech tuned..wanted a 2 step so added a msd 6al2 were the stock airbox sits and installed a conical k&n on maf…through many data logs engine was repeatedly way leaner at wot after just open conical filter and msd install..leech added 10% more fuel and car runs pulled a little harder..no idea if stock air box was holding it back that much and/or mixture of better spark from msd. but it definitely made a little difference.

Thank you!

90MarkVII

· #8 · 2 mo ago

If I may....
Consider installing a March Ram Air box, but without the stupid scoop.
You get a filter that won't restrict the engine and a clean look

See less See more

Reactions: 1

SNK VNM

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago

90MarkVII said:
If I may....
Consider installing a March Ram Air box, but without the stupid scoop.
You get a filter that won't restrict the engine and a clean look

Thanks for the suggestion. A search lead me to this thread

March CAI Airbox

Makes me wonder what I could cook up for a tube from the box to tb.

Top Heavy

· #10 · 2 mo ago

If you need a K&N number that fits the 4” Anderson pipe let me know, I can’t recall if I shared it in my build on this forum before…..

SNK VNM said:
Pretty sure I'm splitting hairs here but I'll ask anyway.

For a n/a, stock bottom end, afr 165s, custom cam, ported Cobra, shorty header setup would a 4 inch anderson na power pipe over a stock air box with speed density tube be worth using? Power gain? Ease of filter maintenance for the stock box? (Will most likely be tuned with pimpxs so no need for a maf.)

I have the power pipe and I have my stock air box. I either need to order a filter for the power pipe or find a speed density tube so either way I'm spending money. The engine is currently being assembled so I have time to find a speed density tube if I went that route.

Search button shows the stock box is generally preferred to a bbk style cai but those are usually maf based cars and aren't comparing to a cai like the power pipe.

Thanks for any input.

SNK VNM

Discussion Starter · #11 · 2 mo ago

Top Heavy said:
If you need a K&N number that fits the 4” Anderson pipe let me know, I can’t recall if I shared it in my build on this forum before…..

Yes that part number would be appreciated! One less thing to research.

pkstang

· #12 · 2 mo ago

89fast5oh said:
I know exactly what you mean about maintaining a certain appearance.

View attachment 1096613

that intake is somewhat of a giveaway that it's not exactly a stock setup

and if your setup needs that intake than the stock airbox is probably worth an easy 15-20 to the tire

pkstang

· #13 · 2 mo ago

SNK VNM said:
Search button shows the stock box is generally preferred to a bbk style cai but those are usually maf based cars and aren't comparing to a cai like the power pipe.

the bbk cold air setup is a worthless pile of s**t that not only looks hidous but is no match to the stock air box, which is no match to the powerpipe.

www.corral.net

dyno: factory air box vs conical vs power pipe

my combo consists of a stock 302 shortblock, which i freshened up few years ago, track heat heads, rpm intake, f-cam, bassani longtubes (158-134), bassani 2.5" orx-pipe, mac cat-back, f-cam, 1.6rr, 75bullet, 75tb, 24#, 373, no porting and stock compression. last time at the dyno i ran into some...

www.corral.net

Mustang5L5

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Too bad they don’t make the Morpheus Power Pipe anymore. I’ve had some EBay search keywords set up for one of those for years with no hits.

Reactions: 1

pkstang

· #15 · 2 mo ago

it was an exact copy of the anderson one just little cheaper

Reactions: 1

SNK VNM

Discussion Starter · #16 · 2 mo ago

pkstang said:
the bbk cold air setup is a worthless pile of s**t that not only looks hidous but is no match to the stock air box, which is no match to the powerpipe.

dyno: factory air box vs conical vs power pipe

my combo consists of a stock 302 shortblock, which i freshened up few years ago, track heat heads, rpm intake, f-cam, bassani longtubes (158-134), bassani 2.5" orx-pipe, mac cat-back, f-cam, 1.6rr, 75bullet, 75tb, 24#, 373, no porting and stock compression. last time at the dyno i ran into some...

www.corral.net

Exactly. Years ago I put a Mac cold air kit on a car and swore I'd never buy or install another over priced, chrome cold air kit again.

The thread you linked was kind of what got me to post this one as that was the only thread I saw with definitive results.

Mustang5L5

· #17 · 2 mo ago

I’ll have to revisit this I guess. Hard to overlook that sort of result over the stock airbox.

I wish they had an all-black version (do they?) to try and see if I can hide it a bit and confirm it will tuck under my MM brace.

Reactions: 1

superirish

· #18 · 2 mo ago

2

You can make your own airbox with some foam, and a piece of sheet aluminum.

Car Motor vehicle Vehicle Automotive design Automotive exterior

Hood Motor vehicle Car Automotive design Vehicle

See less See more

Reactions: 1

vinnyc5566

· #19 · 2 mo ago

Mustang5L5 said:
I'm still MAF based for now, but once i go to my Megasquirt setup i'll be going back to SD and swapping my original 87-88 air tube back on.

I'm not even sure the power pipe will fit with my MM STB, which is another thing I don't want to lose.

But this is what i mean when i say a certain look (other than the dirty battery which has been replaced). TFS170s, custom cam, ported cobra, etc...so similar combo, but not interested in chasing every single HP.

View attachment 1096614

Where did you find those battery cables they are nice

Mustang5L5

· #20 · 2 mo ago

vinnyc5566 said:
Where did you find those battery cables they are nice

I made them. They are PA Performance battery terminals, and 4G welding cable.

1 - 20 of 43 Posts