Because they (the Ford engineers) will have to look at the worst case.
One other thing could be that the computer uses speed and ambient air temp as input for adjustments, and assumes an unobstructed air flow. That's just something that would be possible, I have no idea if that really is done this way ....
Ford suggests 5W-30 oil for the EB engine, and most people agree that it is most likely best to use 5W-30 - because that's what is recommended, even if 5W-20 may work fine in most cases. Same thing. Why risk it and keep on questioning the Ford recommendation?

 

Well mine is staying on, dealer has no problem with it.

 

You do realize that the intercooler is just that, a cooler for the incoming air. The air intake is not the opening in question. The lower grill opening is just for the air to flow through the intercooler cooling the intake air. It is not an opening for the actual intake.

 

Yes, I know. Not sure what the point is though.

 

Correct me if Im wrong here....

I agree the opening is used only to cool the intercooler. BUT doesn't the intake air go through the intercooler?

Thus that opening in essence cools the intake air.

With this in mind... Whats your point?

 

It has appeared to me that over the last few months and many post, there are members that do not really understand the function of the lower grill opening and the intercooler. Some of the comments make you believe that some think that the lower grill opening is for the air that is directed into the engine and not just for cooling the air that is being piped from the turbo's and back up to the engine.

My thought is that if you are towing a 11,300 pound load up a 6% grade on a day like we had today where the temperature hit 115 degrees, you might not want to restrict the air flow through the intercooler.

But for the vast majority of ecoboost drivers who only tow less than 1% of the vehicles life, it probably will not make any difference by having a nice looking grill instead of a gaping hole, even on the hottest of days.

 

You are probably right, at least one would hope so.

 

Well said and completely agree. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

I have the eBay Grill. I have not noticed any difference in performance with or without the grill installed. My dealer has not even mentioned the grill, ever.

Now to fuel the fire , here is the calculation for the % blockage of the eBay Grill:

Bumper Opening:
20.5 in x 5 in = 102.5 sq in

eBay Grill:
each horizontal slat: 20.5 in x 0.125 in = 2.5625 sq in x 11 horizontal slats = 28.1875 sq in

each vertical slat: 5 in x 0.5 in = 2.5 sq in x 2 vertical slats = 5 sq in

Total eBay Grill: 33.1875 sq in

% blockage: 33.1875 sq in / 102.5 sq in = 0.3237805 = 32.4 % blockage

 

That actually *IS* a lot of blockage. I have seen a calculation with very similar numbers on a different forum a while ago. Now if you also consider the fact that the grille, besides covering area, most likely introduces a lot of turbulence, I would think that a reduction of cooling capacity of up to 50% would be possible.
For me, since I am frequently towing a travel trailer, doing that is out of the question. The risk of even slightly overheating the turbos on a regular basis would not be worth it, and could end up being quite expensive (especially if the real problems shows itself after the warranty expires).

 

I agree that is alot of area. BUT the intercooler does not get its air necessarily exclusively from that one hole. If you open the hood the intercooler is very visible from above as well.

I like you am not willing to risk the loss of flow and turbulence esp. while towing.

 

There are hundreds of thousands of IC'd vehicles on the road. When was the last time you heard, or read on an internet forum of a damaged IC from daily driving?

It does happen, but very, very rarely considering the miles traveled/damaged IC's

I'd just let the thing hang out in the airstream, unobstructed, doing it's job. Just like it was designed to do.

Also, an IC is just a dry Radiator. How many radiators has anyone damaged during daily driving? I've driven over a million miles. Mostly on some of Minnesota's most rural back/logging roads. I've never experianced any radiator/ic damage.

 

It will get 99% or more of it's cooling from that hole, because of the airflow when driving. It would be different if you are not moving, but that's not the case when the most cooling is needed - under load.

 

I'm willing to bet that the #1 reason Ford did not install a grill in that location is................................................ .......$$$$$$

 

I do not disagree at all!

Now to open another can of worms on this......

Would it be advantageous to build out a shroud from that opening to the Intercooler? Kinda a Ram Air effect.