Does anybody have the MAC intake, and if so, how do you like it?

I have an 03 SuperCrew FX4 with a 5.4...

The MAC is less expensive than the rest, just wondering how it performs....

 

I bought one from Motorhaven a few weeks back for my 4.2. I was very pleased with the quality for the price. It appears to be first rate stuff. Fit and finish are nice.
I have spent $150 on far worse in my life.
Personaly, I can't see paying more for another brand.

 

cool, I'm happy to hear that...I was planning on the AirForceOne, but it's 100 bucks more....

Is it pretty easy to install?

 

Install was actually pretty easy. I did it at night, in my driveway, with one of those lights on the end of an extension cord. Everything fit like it was supposed to.
I could not tell it offered any performance improvements at lower RPM, but it did make a difference when I mash the gas and run up to higher RPMs. Granted mine is a 6 cylinder, but It does pretty good actually.
A noticeable change in the sound from under the hood. You can really hear the engine sucking air under hard acceleration (or WOT conditions).
I just can't see where any others (i.e. more expensive) would do any better. The chrome finish on the tube looks nice.
I'd say buy it!

edit to add: in case you don't already know, the MAF sensor wires do not unplug at the MAF sensor. The wire pigtail goes with the MAF sensor. Unplug it at the connector on the end of the pigtail. The wires do not unplug at the sensor itsself. Well, you might get them to unplug, but you'd not get them to plug back in.

 

I have bought other products from Motorhaven and was about to buy an intake from them when I stumbled into this product:

It's a true "cold" air intake that sucks air in from the stock hole in the fender. It came with a K&N filter too. I can really feel a difference in the seat of the pants and it has a nice deep growl when throttle opens up. Kinda like a Mustang GT.

 

CPerry what brand is that?

 

I have a set of MAC headers on my Mustang.They have been on there for about 10 years. They have never blown a gasket ( even when the bolts worked loose a couple of times) and fit perfect. They are nickle plated and have no signs of rust. (They were made before all of these new hi-tech coatings were around)
I wouldn't be afraid to buy any of MAC's products because they are good quality at a fair price.

Jimmy

 

Racerguy, I replied to the make of the cold air intake but a moderator must have removed the post. I wasn't trying to take away business from Motorhaven, if they had what I was looking for, I would have bought it from them. Like I said, I have purchased parts from them and I will again.

BTW, look at my signature for info on mods to my truck.

 

CPerry I found out what happened to your mention of what type of intake you had. It seems that someone was doing a bit of cleaning in the boards and their trigger finger got a little carried away.
It's no problem if you mention that it's a Street Smart cold air intake

 

chevy sniper- i too run the mac- i sent mine out and had it veramic coated inside and out with a 1200 degree rating-[looks like header coating] for $15-like others have said- for the ones that cost more- you probably don't gain enough too justify the extra $$$$$$$$$$$

 

Thanks guys for all the info...it will probably be my next purchase.

I got my exhaust put on this weekend and I LOVE it...

I'll probably get the intake, then the diablo chip...then who knows....

 

oh yeah, another question about the MAC..

Do I need to be worried about the open filter in the rain? I know better than to go through water that high, but will it hurt anything with just the moisture that splashes up?

I see that the MAC isn't enclosed, so I was just wondering...

 

sniper- no need to worry on the water-if ya want to get it ceramic coted inside or inside and out- ask for joe @ www.360airintakes.com

 

that was www.360airintakez.com

 

openclasspro

how does the finish on that coating look? I kinda like the look of the chrome or whatever that shiney stuff is...

 

CPerry...where did you find that settup? Do you think it was worth the extra dough, if it was more than the MAC?

 

ChevySniper...I'm sure MAC makes a good product but I was interested in a "true" cold air intake. Even after driving in traffic for long periods of time, when I feel the metal intake tube, it is cool to the touch because of the outside air it sucks in. I'm really pleased with the performance and think it was well worth the extra $

 

will the intake still fit if I also get the throttle body spacer? Is the tb spacer even worth it?

 

put the $ for the tb spacer towards something else- tb spacers are usaully only efficient on carbed or tbi engines-phil

 

well, gonna order it this week...I'll have some pics (hopefully) and let you guys know what I think..

Thanks for all the help and advice..

 

I have a MAC intake and it looks exactly like your, but it's chrome and not black with a bigger filter.

 

Does any one know what the difference is between the intakes that you can find on ebay, and the Mac or the Airforce intakes is???

From what I can see, I dunno if there is a difference....can anyone enlighten me?

 

super...the difference that I noticed was the intake tube was aluminum instead of stainless steel like the Airforce One..dunno about the MAC..but I'm sure the quality isn't there with the ones on ebay...

I think I may try one on my wifes Civic and just see how it does..not going to take the chance with my truck though..heh heh

 

True4.2, the tube in the picture looks black but it is in fact chrome.

I looked at the MAC intake on the motorhaven site but it was not a "true" cold air intake because it sucks warm air from the engine compartment into the motor. The one in the picture draws cold air from the stock hole in the fender. The carbon box that the filter is in is sealed and the end fits into the hole.

 

i have had excellent luck with the mac intake (pn MAC-3946) on my 5.4l. the thing i like about it even though it sucks warm air it isn't restricted to the little hole in the fender where the factory air box was hooked up. that was my reason for changing it out. it is of excellent quality and a breeze to install. mine took about 15 minutes, but we hurried cause it was over 100 degrees outside and we didn't want to deal with the heat. But all in all the intake combined with a true dual flowmaster exhaust my truck has a lot better responce to the throttle.