Found out my intake was costing me 15 HP from a dyno sheet I stumbled on

Was browsing through some old forum pages last night and saw a guy post his dyno results after swapping his stock intake for a different setup. I always figured the factory box was fine, but his numbers showed a 15 hp gain just from changing the tube and filter. I looked closer and my stock intake has this crazy restrictive baffle right at the inlet that I never noticed before. Anyone else pull theirs off and see a difference on the street?

3 comments

3 Comments

elizabethhayes19d agoTop Commenter

@jamie_white is right, free 15 hp is hard to beat with just a dremel.

jamie_white19d ago

I used to be in the camp that the factory box is good enough for most people, but then I saw a dyno sheet from a buddy who ran his Mustang with and without that baffle. Same thing, 15 hp difference and a noticeable bump in the midrange. I spent an afternoon pulling mine apart and yeah, that little plastic piece is basically a speed bump for airflow. Your mileage may vary on the street, but on paper it's hard to argue with a free 15 hp if you're willing to hack up the stock box.

allen.ivan19d ago

Did mine last fall on my '17 GT. Took about 45 minutes with a Dremel and some sandpaper. The baffle is just a flat piece of plastic blocking the direct path. I cut it out clean, smoothed the edges with 120 grit. Felt the difference in third gear pull on the highway. Butt dyno says it woke up the midrange around 3500 rpm. No check engine light either. Just keep the rest of the box sealed tight or you'll suck hot air from the engine bay.