Huge props for figuring that out. I wasn't even going to think about it. However, there is a huge flaw with the formula. There is not a 32.4% blockage. Blockage would be redirecting the air hitting the fins away from the intake completely, whereas in this case, air is being funnelled in between the fins versus one mass flow of air. I think there will be SOME loss, but minimal.

 

whats up with your grill?

 

Would it then be more accurate to say there is a 32.4% increase in turbulence????

 

No, that would not be correct.....

Everybody is worrying too much over something with negligible effects. Air is being forced through the intercooler if you are moving.

The only dealers that will give you an issue with having a grill installed are those that either have no clue on the issues you may be having or are looking for a way to bring in more $$ than what a warranty claim would.

 

Air will be redirected to areas outside of the opening, the cooling will be negatively impacted. The only way to evaluate the impact would be to measure it - and we really can't. You'll be surprise what a blockage like this will do.

 

you could test it if you had the right meters and such, I haven't noticed any performance differences but I only haul toys. You could also say that the grill on the XLT blocks more air then the grill on my Lariat, but I do not think it makes any noticeable difference.

 

You can't screw up MAF sensor readings by putting an air restriction in front of the intercooler. All the MAF does is measure the volume of air going to engine. It doesn't matter how hot, cold, or what is the pressure. All is taken into account in the method of measure. The MAF sensor data is combined with air temperature and pressure to estimate the amount of air going to engine so that the correct amount of fuel is injected.

The intercooler faces the direction of air flow, which is straight in front of vehicle. Sorry, but that's just plain obvious.

Putting some thin bars in the air stream is much less detrimental then some of you are thinking. The problem with a license plate is that it actually blocks off an area of the intercooler rendering that blocked area pretty much useless for cooling duties. The small bars on the grill aren't blocking off any intercooler surface area, but the bars are changing air flow patterns. Is it bad? Well, it can't be better then original. But even if you make a mistake the knock sensors will save your derriere.

You know why Ford doesn't want you to put anything in front of the intercooler? Because they don't trust you to do it right, that's why. The design of the bumper opening isn't so precise that it can't be changed at all without ruining the engine. It's easier to just say, Don't mess with it (dumb nut).

 

Wish you guys could have seen the old-timer I saw across an intersection the other day. Brand new F150 Lariat Ecoboost with a piece of galvanized chicken wire covering the hole in the bumper.

 

That's funny.

People shouldn't be too quick to dismiss the need for protection, though. There are roads up north in Canada and Alaska where you better protect the cooling package and windshield or you could get damage from passing trucks.

 

Gotta love redneck ingenuity!!!!

Very little blockage there!

 

I'm gonna say this once. The Ecoboost is MAP not MAF.

 

I know this is against your policy to speak of it ever again, but maybe you can bend the rules this one time.

Is 2011 MAF, and 2012 MAP?

 

Nope. All ecoboost 3.5 are map. I don't know about the smaller car ecos.

 

I believe you and think you are right. But for Ecoboost F150,

• I've got people showing me a MAF part number from Ford service parts catalog
• I've got people showing me screen shots from the PTS Ford technical website and it doesn't list a MAF
• I've looked under the hood of my own 2012 and there is no MAF
• I've got a photo of a 2011 with what looks like a MAF housing near the air filter
• I've got people saying the MAF is actually an air temperature sensor
• I've got aftermarket cold air intake manufactures saying they have intakes for both MAF and MAP style trucks

Why is there so much conflicting information?

 

There probably is an IAT sensor right after the filter. The reasoning behind going MAP is it is a much more precise system, especially under boost. With MAF you can ball park a tune and the ECU will do the rest.