Differences in intakes?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Differences in intakes?
I'm changing motors on my 1999 f150 5.4l and the intake in my truck is a "high rise". And the motor I'm putting in is a 5.4l reman out of a van of the same year and it has a "low rise" (shorter than the one in my truck now.) Which intake would be better to put on when the motor is installed in my truck. And would a different height in the intakes make a difference in the way it tows. (Pull a skid steer once or twice a month and want the power for towing more than anything)
Thanks
Thanks
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
I have wondered the same thing. If it were me I would probably leave the one on the engine it was set up with.
With the old hot rods we used to build the higher intakes gave a lot better performance. The taller the intake, the more fuel it could draw in and the better the air flow. I don't think it matters with fuel injection in todays engines.
It is possible the taller or shorter intakes were just designed for the vehicle the engine was in. The van may have had less clearance requiring a shorter intake. The pickup has more clearance so it accommodated a taller intake.
With the old hot rods we used to build the higher intakes gave a lot better performance. The taller the intake, the more fuel it could draw in and the better the air flow. I don't think it matters with fuel injection in todays engines.
It is possible the taller or shorter intakes were just designed for the vehicle the engine was in. The van may have had less clearance requiring a shorter intake. The pickup has more clearance so it accommodated a taller intake.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
Yes, I told you wrong above. DO swap them, you will get better air flow.
I was wondering if it would mess with some of your sensors changing the air flow. But your putting the engine in the truck with the taller intake to begin with, so yes do swap them out.
I was wondering if it would mess with some of your sensors changing the air flow. But your putting the engine in the truck with the taller intake to begin with, so yes do swap them out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
The difference is in intake tract length.
The longer length raises the torque produced lower in the RPM range where the truck needs it.
Has little to do with any 'basic' increase in airflow because there is more airflow than the motor can actually use at low rpm..
The increase in cylinder packing comes from the air's mass flow weight imparted by the longer tract lengths to create a ramming effect that fills the cylinder more producing more torque..
Long tube headers work partly on the same principle but for cylinder extraction during the time interval the exhaust valve is open.
A gas columns mass moving, creates a vacuum behind it that peaks in a small rpm band and helps suck the cylinder cleaner.
This action reduces new charge contamination resulting in more power for the next cylinder power cycle.
This make the system exhaust tube headers, length sensitive.
Intake works the same but in reverse.
Another part of all this is called 'resonance' tuning.
Short intakes and short headers 'tune' to much higher RPM where you don't want it in a truck but do in a race car.
Good luck.
The longer length raises the torque produced lower in the RPM range where the truck needs it.
Has little to do with any 'basic' increase in airflow because there is more airflow than the motor can actually use at low rpm..
The increase in cylinder packing comes from the air's mass flow weight imparted by the longer tract lengths to create a ramming effect that fills the cylinder more producing more torque..
Long tube headers work partly on the same principle but for cylinder extraction during the time interval the exhaust valve is open.
A gas columns mass moving, creates a vacuum behind it that peaks in a small rpm band and helps suck the cylinder cleaner.
This action reduces new charge contamination resulting in more power for the next cylinder power cycle.
This make the system exhaust tube headers, length sensitive.
Intake works the same but in reverse.
Another part of all this is called 'resonance' tuning.
Short intakes and short headers 'tune' to much higher RPM where you don't want it in a truck but do in a race car.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Ok so you mean keep the same intake that is in the truck (high rise) now and put it on the new motor? And I never thought about any sensors throwing codes or anything like that. And that is why the vans have the lower intakes is because of clearance cause the motor came out of an expedition and had the high rise and wouldn't fit when put in the van but wasn't sure if it made a difference or not as far as performance.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thanks bluegrass so basically what your saying is the high rise forces more air in and produces torque at a lower rpm?
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Yes. It's tact length that makes the difference no matter how it is achieved or what shape or direction the runners take.
Good luck.
Good luck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
karljay
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
5
Feb 24, 2003 06:09 PM
Fun in a Ford
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Mar 5, 2002 01:29 AM