• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


aFe Power Momentum GT Cold Air Intake System

Messages
50
Reactions
40
Points
17
Location
Northern New Jersey
Vehicle
2021 Ford Explorer ST
#1
Hello everyone, I am considering having a CAI installed in my ST and wonder if anyone has experienced any engine issues after installation besides installing hiccups. What's been the biggest drawback, if any? Was there a noticeable increase in MPG or HP for those who have one installed? I have constantly read the increased engine noise is great, but the rest is just fluff. Thank you!
 

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,478
Reactions
711
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#2
Hello everyone, I am considering having a CAI installed in my ST and wonder if anyone has experienced any engine issues after installation besides installing hiccups. What's been the biggest drawback, if any? Was there a noticeable increase in MPG or HP for those who have one installed? I have constantly read the increased engine noise is great, but the rest is just fluff. Thank you!
As far as I know, there will be no problems. It could be something Ford could void warranty for BUT THAT IS A BIG COULD. That could be the only drawback I can see. I would contact Ford just in case, it never hurts. I would get it if I had an ST bur it will not noticeable increase gas mileage or power.
 

Messages
388
Reactions
338
Points
67
Location
Calgary, AB, Canada
#3
I’ve been running one since they came out on the Wife’s ‘21. Other than the clip on the drivers side turbo, install was pretty straight forward.

It seems to work pretty well. Small amount of throttle response increase noticed, but that’s about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,494
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#4
Unless you're looking to add a tune and supporting mods to achieve over 100 added HP, it won't make any discernible difference HP-wise. It also will not add any MPG. It will add a nice look under the hood!
 

OP
LopezST
Messages
50
Reactions
40
Points
17
Location
Northern New Jersey
Vehicle
2021 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #5
All helpful. Thanks!
 

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
314
Reactions
102
Points
37
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
#6
I put mine in after the E50 tune was installed.
I asked if it needed to be retuned and 5 star said no.
However, others with tunes from ZFG say it needs to be re-tuned to gain maximum results.
 

Messages
144
Reactions
75
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#7
It’s a subtle difference. One cool thing I liked about putting one in is now I can hear the turbos better. Which could be good or bad depending on the individual. MPG wise for road trips or longer drives I’ve noticed an improvement of 2-3 (@about 73MPH with normal cruise control, manual mode) City driving pretty much the same(Atlasblue makes no guarantees, individual results may vary). :p
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,557
Reactions
1,301
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#8
I sincerely mean no offense with this post and I don't mean to come across as a know-it-all (I don't know much at all) but I can't buy the 2-3 mpg improvement with a new cold air intake.

For heck's sake, if that can be accomplished for a few hundred dollars, Ford would find a way to do it for a fraction of the cost and introduce it across the line. Improving MPG across an entire model line would be an incredible feat for the company and its CAFE numbers. They would be all over that.

The engine only uses what it needs, it doesn't need all the air that the OE intake system is capable of delivering while cruising at highway speeds. We're not talking wide-open-throttle. There is something else going on with the numbers here.

Think about it like this, if the engine is putting more air through it because the new setup is capable of supplying it, it's mixing more fuel with that air. What do you think that would do to the MPG numbers? I'd suggest you put a few tanks through it hand calculating the numbers. The gauge on the dash can be a real liar at times.

Okay, I'll step down from my soapbox now.
 

Last edited:
Messages
144
Reactions
75
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#9
No worries. I was getting about 21-22mpg on the freeway/highway on longer trips now it’s been closer to 24-25mpg just my observation. Same stretch of freeway/highway visiting family. Only variable that maybe changed is temperature & maybe weight since no1 packs the exact same way every trip. Also based on the numbers the car’s throwing at me. Not hand calculated. lol that’s why I put the disclaimer in there that there are no guarantees.
 

Last edited:

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,494
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#10
No worries. I was getting about 21-22mpg on the freeway/highway on longer trips now it’s been closer to 24-25mpg just my observation. Same stretch of freeway/highway visiting family. Only variable that maybe changed is temperature. Also based on the numbers the car’s throwing at me. Not hand calculated. lol that’s why I put the disclaimer in there that there are no guarantees.
I"m not picking on anyone- I have not met a person yet who spent money on a part and didn't think his butt dyno or in reality wishful thinking didn't make a difference in some way!

I'm completely with @GearHead_1 on this point because we see it constantly on this forum. Whether it's a tune, an exhaust, or a cold-air system, you are going to see posts about increased gas mileage. It's NOT possible. I understand that most of you aren't engineers and don't know a BSFC number from a DD Brassiere, but if you were to look at the amount of work that goes into the engineering to achieve the fuel efficiency numbers, you- like me would be chuckling at these posts.

Just for a second think about this: the stock intake system (and exhaust) has been proven to provide enough mass airflow to support around 500 CRANK HP on pump gas. That would mean it can deliver around +- 50 lbs/min of airflow. Cruising down the road say on the highway will only consume about 25-30 (depending on speed) CRANK HP. That means we're only drawing in and exhausting around 2.5-3.0 lbs/min of airflow; 5% or 1/20th of the capability of the stock intake (and exhaust). Even if a better (less restrictive) intake or exhaust might make more horsepower at over 50 lbs/min of airflow, they are NOT making any difference at 1/20th of that flow.

Does that make sense? It should.
 

Last edited:
Messages
144
Reactions
75
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#11
Wow you guys are so serious. ;)
 

Messages
144
Reactions
75
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#12
lol I said “no guarantees”
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,494
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#13
You shared information- and so did we. That's fair isn't it?
 

Messages
144
Reactions
75
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#14
Hahaha yes. Ok how bout this scenario, you’re cruising down the freeway at speed, no stop and go traffic. You’re making a hint more power. You’re engine doesn’t have to work as hard to do the same amount of work. Could it be possible that you’d be saving a bit of fuel in that aspect?
 

TMac

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,706
Reactions
1,494
Points
262
Location
Knoxville, TN
#15
Hahaha yes. Ok how bout this scenario, you’re cruising down the freeway at speed, no stop and go traffic. You’re making a hint more power. You’re engine doesn’t have to work as hard to do the same amount of work. Could it be possible that you’d be saving a bit of fuel in that aspect?
Just stop. Nothing you said in that paragraph makes any sense at all. If you're making more power, you're burning more gas- period! "You're engine doesn't have to work as hard to do the same amount of work". That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'm not sure whether you're trying to be funny or are completely ignorant. I'm trying to be nice....really.
 

Messages
144
Reactions
75
Points
27
Location
San Diego
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#16
lol ok take it easy
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,557
Reactions
1,301
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#17
Again, I did not mean to offend. I only responded because I believe there are a good number of people that are out shopping for CAI's that believe this exact scenario. These threads can stay on the forum for a long while and can be educational.

If someone is buying a CAI, or exhaust for that matter, because they enjoy the sound, want to dress up the engine bay or like the tailpipes, I get it. Expecting to see HP or MPG increases should not be expected.

Most of us at one time or another have done this very thing, who doesn't like the sound of an aftermarket exhaust? ;)
 

Messages
391
Reactions
360
Points
67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#18
After I installed mine, I saw a roughly 50mpg increase. However this was only for about 100 feet as I coasted down the hill out of my neighborhood. When I was actually driving it obviously changed nothing as far as mpg.

There is no real drawback aside from it lightening your wallet a bit. Doesn't change MPG. I felt there was a little more power in the higher RPMs, but I'm talking slight, and that may be my butt dyno trying to be optimistic. This intake does have potential to add power, though it needs to be accounted for with a tune. I didn't notice any more noise, but my wife and a few other people have said the turbos are slightly more noticeable. If you're looking for more noise, gotta go with the FenFab.

I got it because IMO it looked better than stock and I just wanted to do something to my truck. Plus I know it'll add a few more beans when I get a tune.
 

Messages
7
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
Flint MI
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#19
Wow, pretty shitty response for someone just being honest with their experience. Is this whet we can expect from “top members”? SMH
 

Toadster

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
310
Reactions
189
Points
37
Location
Folsom, CA
Vehicle
'23 ExST, '17 Raptor, '16 FoST, FFR Cobra
#20
no tune needed for this intake right? why isn't this CARB legal yet?
 



Top