[oskerb]

I went ahead and took the plunge and bought a WEAPON-R SECRET WEAPON INTAKE system for my 08 ESCAPE V6 (ebay). Installed it in about an hour. I really like it and in the one trip that I have taken tonight. I can tell that there is a slight change in throttle response and of course there is an outstanding THROATY sound coming out of the intake. I will see how the gas mileage changes in the coming weeks.

The only complaint is that for the price that is charged the intake. The should be a little more attention in how it fits in the intake area. As the intake is very snug and not 100% perfect fit

Now I have been pricing out a "build it yourself" intakes system for some time and at first came to be like $60 short of buying the WEAPON-R. Now that I have the intake I think I could have gone a little cheaper on the "build it yourself" intake. All that is needed is:

- 2x 90 degree elbows ($20 each)
- 3x couplers (1x 2.5" to 3" coupler 2x 3' to 3" coupler) ($10 each)
-1x air intake filter ($30)
-1x MAF adapter part #9705 SPECTRE ($40) (see spectre website http://www.spectreperformance.com/#CATALOG.9705)

Now these prices are approximate and you could probably find this for a little cheaper depending on your ebay habits.
ALSO THIS IS FOR A 2008 ESCAPE V6 3.0

This is an open ended filter and I hooked up the open end to the the stock air inlet(where the red/black fuse holder is). Also it cant be seen but the air filter touches the strut area battery when installing and a very tight fit. The coupler closest to the throttle body has to be manipulted as seen with the pipe vise being canted to avoid constant touching with the strut area and battery. The vacum hose is rigged with a platic tube bought and platic coupler as the rubber hosed supplied was way to small to fit the vacum hose As soon as i get time I will make a air box for it.

 

[oskerb]

pics should be up this evening after I get off work.

 

[oskerb]

.

 

[oskerb]

PIC is up and updated original post as well.

The factory air box is a cold air intake. I guess i would like to see some pics of one of these installed. I could be mistaken but i believe you gave up a cold air intake for a under hood temp intake. Which i assure you the under hood air temp is higher than the ambient temp drawn in on the stock unit. I would like to know if you see a fuel economy improvements with this set-up.

I have also heard of people being fooled in the throttle response area due to the throaty noise. I would agree that it should sound faster. You can remove the silencer on the factory air box set-up and it will sound nearly the same. I will agree they sound much more agressive without silencers. When i get my escape i may try and test some of these products.

Yes the OEM box is a "cold air intake" but very constrictive.With out the constrictiveness of the OEM box, air is abundant for the engine to consume. Instead of the oem box trying to snort a golf ball through a straw. Yes under hood temp is in the equation but I can live with the variance. Now for the throttle response, there is no mistake of it being there. As for my fuel enconmy it went from 17 to 19.5 and thats with me lead footing every chance i get. But next time I fill up I will manully calculate my MPG and watch my foot.

:beer:

 

[oskerb]

What are you guys gonna go with the WEAPON R or DIY kit????

 

[oskerb]

Yeah, in city I am getting 18.6 mpg and a definite on throttle response. Havent gone on the highway yet.

 

[oskerb]

Finally took her on the highway, 21 mpg on a 51 mile trip. I'm gonna go on another highway trip probably next weekend to confirm. Still getting 17.6 to 18.6 in city and at one point got to 19 mpg

 

[oskerb]

I guess I'm missing something here... because I've run three tanks of gas thru my '09 V6 Escape (purchased pre-owned on 4/09/10) and I'm averaging 24.02 MPG now -- with just a new K&N filter installed in the stock box.

BTW, not trying to hijack this thread, but would the Weapon-R CAIs work on a 2009 Escape? I have seen lots of mentions of 2008's, but have not seen any air intake mods for a 2009 V6.

Yeah TOP is right I do alot of city driving. lay: There was a difference in the 08 to 09. Horse power went up from 200hp to 240hp by making more compression with a tad bit less displacement, dunno how that happen but Ford made it happen. What I did notice in the change in the engine bay is the air intake is in the between the hood and the top of the grill. So the Weapon R will not fit. You can probably make your own intake but dont know as I havent really ventured into the 09 engines. Before the new intake I was lucky to get 17mpg in the city and 18-19 on the highway. Where as when the 09's came out I noticed they were getting alot better gas mileage.

 

[oskerb]

Speaking of the 2009 air intake, it is all closed off (don't see how it gets any air at all). If that hasn't been discussed before, maybe I'll start a new thread and we can take up how to make the air flow better in a '09 V6 engines.

On the top of the 09's engine there is a big black plastic peice, that's the intake. Between the the front of the hood tip and the upper grill peice, is the actual air inlet.

 

[oskerb]

I see what your saying Charlie. I could have sworn there was a small gap on both sides of the stripping. So its not getting air directly from the front but the sides. If not, then it is definetly getting it from the engine bay and radiator area. FYR dont think there was a mid year change. But there is a difference in the 08 and 09 air intakes as you see charlies and you see the pic in this link http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5207 you see the after market intake, but just imagine an airfilter box sitting next to the battery (where the new filter is )

 

[oskerb]

I will let you know as soon as I get mine Wednesday. I got one with GAS SAVER, LOW OCTANE PERFORMANCE, AND HIGH OCTANE PERFORMANCE.

 

[oskerb]

No I havntNo I havnt, I dint have it yet. You can make your own intake for cheaper, look In the earlier pages and I mention how.

 

[oskerb]

Right now I'm getting 18-19.5 city and 21-22.5( almost for It to 23 one time) but those numbers could be better if I drove more conservative. Let's just say I'm always in the fast lane.

 

[oskerb]

:beer:

 

[oskerb]

Yeah thanks, I have the SCT XCAL3 with 3 custom tunes, hasnt been dyno'd but even with out it the SCT is speaks for itself. Even the intake speaks for itself. Go for the WRSW and divider.

Nice install OskerB!

Looks like the Weapon R Secret Weapon with their Ram Air attachment and a sealed custom divider between the engine compartment and the air filter/battery area is what is in order for the little '02 2.0L Zetec/5-speed.

Still investigating how many Focus parts will fit... (FORD Racing plug wires, under-drive pulleys, header maybe?)

Exhaust will be Random Technology cat with the highest flow/loudest muffler my girlfriend can stand in full-2.25" or 2.5" pipe.

Who has the best performance/economy module for these cars?
What is making power for you 4-cyl guys without making it an absolute dog off the line?

As you might figure from my screen name, it's my Girlfriend's Escape. We want to perk it up for her as she has to put off getting a new Golf TDI until she is out of school or gets a promotion.

 

[oskerb]

I thought there was for 2007 and below for either SCT and/or WEAPON R

 

[oskerb]

This system works and yes cold air is better but hot air isnt going to kill or deter anything. Unless your running a turbo and sucking in hot air charged by the exhaust, there colder air is needed...The ones who have called this set up a cold air are completley wrong. Its just an AIR INTAKE SYSTEM.... Myself and other people across the boards have done a full under the hood intake systems and have turned out fine, if not better. My last one was for a 98 Ford Ranger 2.5L FULL UNDER HOOD intake in PHOENIX,AZ; Of course several summers spent there with no issues, but better results in the end.

Has anyone been outside on a hot hot day and tried to touch the ground/asphault??? Its pretty hot even compared to waist high air temp... If anything a snorkel intake would be the best answer... Even though cold air tends to sink and hot air moves to the top, think about the hot asphault, where is the cold air next to the hot asphault? Hot air still radiates couple of feet (if not more) from the ground... Except in the winter where the cold air is everywhere even on the asphault?

:horse: This can be argued all day like religion or politics. WHOS RIGHT ;WHOS WRONG??? Let those who have tested it be the ones who can judge it.

I too have never used a heat shield.....Use the the flex pipe to help get outside air in. I know I did.

TWEET COMPLETE :hyst: