I've been thinking, and thinking some more, about whether or not to try a homemade SRI on my 2009 SES. Upon first inspection I could see the only way to modify the MAF tube for a cone filter would be to mutilate it and cut away the portions of the airbox connected to/part of the MAF tube. I've had the 3" inlet cone filter for 3 months or more, stalling in fear of making irreparable damage to the only MAF tube I had. However, today I priced a new air filter at Canadian Tire..... $39.97 (Fram).... that wasn't what I was expecting. So, I purchased a propane torch and nozzle, and went home to tear into the MAF tube. My air filter was getting a little dirty, and I had slight issues with rough idle, and gas mileage starting to dwindle.

Surprisingly, LoL, all seems to have gone well. Once I started to cut away at the MAF tube my nervousness turned to concentration/determination. Easily, although somewhat time consuming, I was able to cut away the top pieces of the airbox from the MAF tube. The edges were rough, so I used the hot knife, a utility blade/razor, and some sand paper to clean the edges. Backyard jobbie for sure, but you can't beat the price. [headbang]

I'll throw some pics up after I create a photobucket account. Just wanted to show it can be done, and doesn't take much work or money. Once cut apart, the MAF tube was 3", a perfect fit for my filter.

I took it apart today just to inspect and make sure everything was fine, and it was.


http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0406.jpg

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0409.jpg

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0411.jpg

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0414.jpg

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0417.jpg

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0420.jpg

And the leftovers...a little grainy, sorry.

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0403.jpg

And the leftovers...a little grainy, sorry.

http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee384/xXDuhamelXx/IMG_0403.jpg

O NO! you burnt your new Focus! sacrilege!

really f# kin duct tape ?

I question the duct tape as well... from the picture before it looked like it would seal fine. just curious.

really f# kin duct tape ?

LOL, I'm [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)] still laughin....yes, I was really concerned about a CEL. I saw someone else got one when they put a homemade SRI on, and I really didn't want one. Plus, I covered the duct tape, lol. Maybe I'll delete that pic.

Maybe you should have just used silicone or rtv if you're that worried about it sealing. lol

Duct tape?! Come on bro! Besides that, nice job [cheers]

Lmao @ duct tape. Ftw?

All that work just to get some nice warm underhood air into your engine ? [dunno]



.

Maybe you should have just used silicone or rtv if you're that worried about it sealing. lol

I think I'll look into that. I'm curious how long I would have to let silicone dry before driving the car?

All that work just to get some nice warm underhood air into your engine ? [dunno]

I had a hard time getting the tranny to shift gears around 2k rpm in normal driving (ATX). However, since installing this I can achieve it easily. Maybe the extra 3-5 hp has given the motor enough power to shift sooner? I dunno, but it always used to shift around 2500 rpm, but now it shifts around 2100 rpm. And, I also left the bottom of the airbox due to the fact it has the air inlet/snorkel feeding it cooler air, not sure if it makes a difference, but I'll leave it there for now.

Question - if an engine is afflicted with heat soak, wouldn't that show on my temp gauge? So, if that's true wouldn't I be able to monitor my temp gauge to see if this will become an issue? We've had a couple of 30+ degree (celcius), 86 Fahrenheit, days, and my temp gauge stayed normal.

I think I'll look into that. I'm curious how long I would have to let silicone dry before driving the car?



I had a hard time getting the tranny to shift gears around 2k rpm in normal driving (ATX). However, since installing this I can achieve it easily. Maybe the extra 3-5 hp has given the motor enough power to shift sooner? I dunno, but it always used to shift around 2500 rpm, but now it shifts around 2100 rpm. And, I also left the bottom of the airbox due to the fact it has the air inlet/snorkel feeding it cooler air, not sure if it makes a difference, but I'll leave it there for now.

Question - if an engine is afflicted with heat soak, wouldn't that show on my temp gauge? So, if that's true wouldn't I be able to monitor my temp gauge to see if this will become an issue? We've had a couple of 30+ degree (celcius), 86 Fahrenheit, days, and my temp gauge stayed normal.

Use black gasket maker. Its ready instantly and seals great. Say "Right Stuff" on the package. Costs about as much as a roll of duct tape too. Lol

Also, the incoming temp wont effect your coolant twmp much inless your running some super high boost. What does happen is a loss in horsepower because of thinner air. (Hot air is less dense and therefore has less oxygen. ) it won't effect your stock car much and most likely you'll still gain 3-5 hp.

Costs about as much as a roll of duct tape too. Lol

LOL

Use black gasket maker. Its ready instantly and seals great. Say "Right Stuff" on the package. Costs about as much as a roll of duct tape too. Lol

Thx man, I'll definitely pick some up in next the next day or two..... and then post a retribution pic [;)]

haha glad to see im not the only one who made there own sri...i just went a slightly diff. route of it by using some old sheet metal...post pics later check it out

LMFAO [:)][:)][:)][:)]en duct tape!!! WIN!!!!

oh yea minus the ducttape...im a lil redneck but come on man lol but hey it works and thats what matters i guess

I can't help but laugh my ass off every time someone is offended by the duct tape, LoL...... *starts routing around looking for a picture of red green* Ahahaha, I can laugh at myself, it's all good. At least StangGTT had some useful info with the gasket maker, I just didn't think of it. I'm mechanically inclined, but no mechanic.

good job man, ive been searching around for two whole days trying to find a MAF tube for my 09 so i could make my own CAI, but was reluctant to hack away the air filter lid. Since you said it was relatively simple, im going to try it haha

good job man, ive been searching around for two whole days trying to find a MAF tube for my 09 so i could make my own CAI, but was reluctant to hack away the air filter lid. Since you said it was relatively simple, im going to try it haha

I found some universal aluminum maf sensor tubes at spectre performance (http://spectreperformance.com/#CATALOG)

The thing is, you must make sure that the tube is the same diameter as the original. Otherwise, it will require a tune or some craftyness that I did to my wife's Mazda6 to insure proper readings.

i think my best bet is to go down to this huge junkyard a few miles from my house, and snag the MAF housing out of one of the older 2.3L duratec's. And just put my MAF in that tube, seems alot easier imo

i think my best bet is to go down to this huge junkyard a few miles from my house, and snag the MAF housing out of one of the older 2.3L duratec's. And just put my MAF in that tube, seems alot easier imo

Not a bad idea.....

well my technical knowledge is novice at best, but if i manage to mexi-rig it, ill be sure to post up some pictures

i think my best bet is to go down to this huge junkyard a few miles from my house, and snag the MAF housing out of one of the older 2.3L duratec's. And just put my MAF in that tube, seems alot easier imo

That's exactly what I was going to do, but none of the junkyards around me had one, even pick-a-part, so I felt I had to fab my own. The end of the tube was 3" (inches), so I think you should be good if you get a similar diameter tube.

*Edit* - my only indifference is the fact the older Dura MAF tubes look like they are "restricted",.... I dunno, but they look a little smaller in diameter, around the middle, than the current (2009) ones. But sounds good man, hope to see some pics, and happy endings [:)]

well there are a ridiculous amount of foci in my area, so im keeping my fingers crossed that i can find at least one 2.3L duratec in the numerous junkyards in the surrounding area

so what was the increase in performance and mileage?

the only concern of mine is that the tube was designed to funnel air across the sensor. the sensor is calibrated to that tube. of course the other sensors of the car will compensate for any miss readings but.......

so what was the increase in performance and mileage?

the only concern of mine is that the tube was designed to funnel air across the sensor. the sensor is calibrated to that tube. of course the other sensors of the car will compensate for any miss readings but.......

Actually, the ecu will throw a cel code stating that there is a maf malfunction or lean condition. Unless the tube is smaller then it will read richer. There is a tolerance built into the computer. I hooked up a scanner to my wife's mazda6 that reads the maf in grams/second. Then I basically put "wings" made from abs on each side of the sensor to capture more air bring it back into tolerance.

so what was the increase in performance and mileage?

the only concern of mine is that the tube was designed to funnel air across the sensor. the sensor is calibrated to that tube. of course the other sensors of the car will compensate for any miss readings but.......

I barely changed the tube - the length and width are exactly as they were. the pieces I cut off were attached to the outside of the tube, I even left the flare at the end. I only had to remove about a quarter inch from the flare to fit my filter over it.

Performance - same as anything else in this range of mods. In my opinion it does the same as any other SRI on the market, only cheaper.

Mileage - seems fine to me, no complaints. I haven't been monitoring it closely, but I would notice a decline that's for sure. Everything seems fine. I find with mileage it always depends on my driving....and the weight of my right foot [;)]

That's exactly what I was going to do, but none of the junkyards around me had one, even pick-a-part, so I felt I had to fab my own. The end of the tube was 3" (inches), so I think you should be good if you get a similar diameter tube.

*Edit* - my only indifference is the fact the older Dura MAF tubes look like they are "restricted",.... I dunno, but they look a little smaller in diameter, around the middle, than the current (2009) ones. But sounds good man, hope to see some pics, and happy endings [:)]

I just finished my CAI mod, heres my thread http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3755795#post3755795

thanks for the idea's duhamel!