Accel Kool Blue

[metroplex]

I bought one for my 2000 Ford Crown Vic and decided to do some testing...

I recorded MAF readings during a off-idle to 5300 RPM (logged MAF vs RPM), then recorded air pressure and air temperature readings - all using the stock paper filter.

I then installed the Kool Blue and repeated the procedure.

I used MathCAD to graph the two results and what did I find?

I found a +70cfm increase in airflow around 3000-3500 RPM (near the peak torque/HP range) and +22 cfm at 5300 RPM.

I felt an improvement in throttle response, and a bit more hp... but I mainly got the filter for its reusability. My paper filters get clogged way too early in NJ (due to pollen, dust, dirt, etc...)

I bought one for my dad's E-150 (so we both got free T-shirts froM Summit Racing... hehe, you can't have too many t-shirts)

[ September 13, 2002, 10:24 PM: Message edited by: metroplex ]

 

[metroplex]

FYI my 4.6 makes peak torque at about 3000 RPM, peak hp at about 4200-4500 RPM (there are some dyno sheets of the same engine config/diff car that show peak torque at 3800 RPM as well)

 

[TheLoneRanger]

Wow, metroplex, that's impressive. Those are good gains with just an air filter change. Your mpg should increase also.

KoolBlue's ads say that they also filter (up to 30%?) better than other leading oiled cotton type filters. I assume they are referring to the K&N's....

 

[metroplex]

Yes its quite possible.. They advertise that it filters >2.8 microns

Someone else ran the same MAF vs RPM test with their 98 Crown Vic using a paper and then K&N filter and I found that his curve was quite close to mine. I didn't overlay his graph because he had a stock airbox. I'm using a Mercury Marauder airbox + Ford 5.4L SOHC V8 (Normally aspirated) 80mm MAF. The stock airbox is derived from a 1994? design and uses a stock 70mm MAF.

But essentially the stock airbox + K&N flowed the same as my Marauder box using a paper filter.

I do not know if other engines will get the same or better results, but it was interesting to see a +70 cfm difference near the peak torque RPM on my engine.

 

[metroplex]

 

[Night Owl]

The question seems to be: is if added CFM means anything if they engine is not requiring added CFM? Added CFM may play a part in a big displacement engine, but as for lower displacement engines I do believe it is much of a factor. And I do not, and will never trust seat in the pants evaluations of performance mods. Dynos tell stories, not human intuition!
In other words: Is 2-3 HP on the top end worth a filter that costs $40-50? Will added CFM at lower speeds increase throttle response in an engine that is not requiring added CFM at that speed? I have a feeling not.....

Thanks, Scott

 

[metroplex]

Keep in mind this is my ENGINE that is drawing more cfm, NOT a static bench flow test!

So in effect my engine is getting more air with the Kool Blue filter vs stock paper.

I had someone else run a test with the stock paper filter and got the same curve as mine w/ paper.

Two people withh similar cars in different parts of the state with different measurement equipment with very comparable results... hmmm..

you're right about SOTP.
I didn't get it for any possible huge hp gains, just reusability and flow.

REMEMBER

most idiots just think "oh its advertised to flow 1000 cfm, i dont need that"

Well your paper filter may flow 400 cfm tops when brand new, but as soon as it gets dirt on there, that flow # drops substantially. I know because my engine starts to lug whenever the filter gets clogged.

The tranny no longer does forced downshifts as responsively, etc (MAF is tied to electronically controlled transmissions, etc).

The K&N/Kool Blue will flow a good amount of air even when clogged.

So in effect, for my application a $30 filter (plus free t-shirt) is well worth it after 2 years because after 2 years I would have gone through six $5 paper filters.

ALso, the 4.6L SOHC V8 is a higher revving engine than the standard pushrod 302 V8, and benefits a LOT from more cool air.

bottom line:
don't get it for the hp improvement, get it if you're like me and sick and tired of getting new paper filters right after allergy season

In NJ, between the months of March and may, your car will turn green regardless of whether its black, white, red, or blue clearcoat... it will become light green!

 

[TheLoneRanger]

Yeah, mine turns yellow here, in the spring. The pollen is terrible.

I installed a K&N filter with a custom air cleaner on my Bronco last year. Afterwards, I had to readjust the idle mixture screws, because of the decreased air restriction of the K&N filter. This tells me that the K&N is more efficient, even at idle....

 

[BOBISTHEOILGUY]

kinda like to see some oil analysis with this filter. As a general rule so far with k and n and some others, the more air flow the higher the Si.

Another point, if you can create a higher air flow, how does that effect mileage as it would increase air flow across the air flow sensor therefore increasing the fuel to compensate. Guess I answered that myself, won't need as much throttle I suppose to gain the same speed. hmmm, something to look at.

 

[Patman]

Oh oh, I have a feeling Bob is going to start modifying that little Escort Wagon of his! Next thing you know he'll be adding a supercharger and putting 18" wheels on it and a big muffler tip out back!

 

[metroplex]

actually...

If you had a blown V8 put in an Escort with 18" rims and a big muffler, not only would it most likely eat Camaros and stangs, but it'd be one heck of a sleeper!

Anyone else see that Focus w/ the 4-bbl Holley and a 302 pushrod V8?

 

[2533a]

quote:

---

Originally posted by metroplex:

Anyone else see that Focus w/ the 4-bbl Holley and a 302 pushrod V8?

---

Yikes! I would love to see that. Kind of in the tradition of the Maverick back home (in the mid-70s) with the 351C under the hood (actually it kind of poked through a bit due to the intake) and a wall of rubber in the back.

 

[metroplex]

You know what the scary part was?

Ford masterminded that operation.

It was at the woodward dream cruise last year.
Ppl took pics and I noticed the fuel lines for a holley 4-bbl under the circular air cleaner

The whole mod kit includes a RWD transmission, differential housing + axles, etc....

Now only if it was emissions legal in 50 states...

 

[VaderSS]

How bout this?

That's an LS1 stuffed in that 2003 Impala.

 

[metroplex]

I'm not a fan of the 03 Impala at all... it's tiny, and cops are expected to use them as patrol cars now.

I hope that LS1 is mated to a RWD transmission and not a FWD transaxle?

you should see some of the Crown Vic Project cars

BTW the bad press about Vics blowing up is just bad press, they're not telling you the truth (explosions are caused by equipment installers that DRILL into gas tanks to install police equipment - used Police car owners comment on how they can smell gas in their trunks sometimes)

The 03 Marauder is a joke - its got a detuned cobra motor but there's no low end torque.

It needs IMRCs, but supposedly Ford is doing something special for the 05 Marauder.

Nonetheless the 03 Vic/Marauder has SUPERIOR Handling but has a flimsy rack and pinion that Ford is supposed to fix next year. who knows.

 

[metroplex]

Correction: I'm not a fan of the 00-up Impala at all.

The 94-96 SSs were HOT, but the new ones are gutless! They're decent cars for grocery getters/commuters but they lack that V8 low end torque - well they do have 3800 Series II v6s, but still

I thought my Vic had low ground clearance... the Impala police cars they have here scrape the ground when descending from driveway ramps!

The Ls1 is a nice motor, I wish Ford would make something gutsy like that! The 5.4L DOHC V8 is a good start tho.

 

[metroplex]

back to the topic

it appears the Kool Blue is nothing more than a K&N with epoxy coated wire mesh and blue Accel oil, excpet its about $10 cheaper and summit has a free t-shirt offer right now.

 

[Patman]

How did they get that LS1 in a front drive application? (you can see it's mounted sideways)

What trans did they use?

The LS1 is definitely a nice engine, I sure miss mine!!

 

[metroplex]

**** , my laptop screen is weird - I didnt see it was mounted sideways...

that's a real craptastic set up then... FWD + LS1 = busted FWD eventually

I heard of GM's idea of making FWD F-bodies in the future, and for mating an LS1 to the FWD transaxale in a production model Impala police car. I know the Caddies have Northstars mated to FWDs but then again, old people drive them so they're not pushing the envelope

If they can make the BonneVille SSEi, Grand Prix GTP, and Impala 9C1 with a RWD tranny + LS1, they'd be KICK A$$.

 

[VaderSS]

I'm not a fan of the W-body Imps either, but shoehorning an LS1 in is something special. It's still wrong wheel drive, and I understand that it is almost undriveable from torque-steer.

It's not that tiny of a car, in fact, it has almost the exact same interior room as my 96 Impala, only shortfall being 2 inches less shoulder room, but then the B-body almost has too much shoulder room. The trunk is slightly smaller, but much better in layout. Overall, it is a competent car, they just should have named it Lumina, not Impala.

IMO, the Marauder is only lacking one thing, 4.10 gears from the factory. Once that mod is made, they are quite fun, and keep up with or beat stock 94-96 Impalas. Course, how many people have stock SS's?

I still think they should have put a 351 or at least a blown SOHC 4.6 in. I just don't think DOHC is the thing for muscle cars. All that said, I'd not pay 35k for one, but if they come out with a blown convertible in 2005, I might buy one... In 2010.