Blocking Off Intercooler Gap In Bumper?
#1
Blocking Off Intercooler Gap In Bumper?
When I purchased my truck, the first thing I did was take off the ugly front license-plate mount (holder). I now have the gaping space in front of the active shutters and intercooler, but I've noticed some trucks do not.
The first photo is a photo of what my truck currently has and the second photo is a photo of what I was considering doing.
Here is the exact part: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Fo...d/223308575921
Has anyone done this before? If so, do you have issues with overheating? I'm unsure if this gap exists for air to flow into, or if air flows through the grill and moves downward. Most F-150's I see have the gaping hole like I do, but on rare occasion, I'll pass one that doesn't. I suspect this may be a difference between either trim levels or US and Canadian trucks, but I'm not entirely sure. Half the time, I swear the shutters are closed anyways, but I don't want to do anything that would disrupt the proper flow of air. Thanks!
The first photo is a photo of what my truck currently has and the second photo is a photo of what I was considering doing.
Spoiler
Spoiler
Has anyone done this before? If so, do you have issues with overheating? I'm unsure if this gap exists for air to flow into, or if air flows through the grill and moves downward. Most F-150's I see have the gaping hole like I do, but on rare occasion, I'll pass one that doesn't. I suspect this may be a difference between either trim levels or US and Canadian trucks, but I'm not entirely sure. Half the time, I swear the shutters are closed anyways, but I don't want to do anything that would disrupt the proper flow of air. Thanks!
Last edited by ___; 02-06-2019 at 05:15 PM.
#3
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I take it you have an EcoBoost. You have the open lower grille, the 5.0's have the closed grille with the fake louvers. But, and it's a BIG but, some of us have taken the 5.0 lower, opened up the space between the louvers, and stuck them on our EgoBoosts. I know of at least 3 of us on here have done that, and none of us has a problem with the CAC or charge air getting hot. I can monitor my temp, and even in summer heat, IIRC, the hottest I ever saw at the throttle body was around 122F.
Here's a front shot of mine.
Here's a front shot of mine.
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___ (02-06-2019)
#4
Senior Member
Ecoboost trucks have the opening. I cant imagine covering it up wouldnt affect cooling to the intercooler. The shutters will open when intake air temps start to rise.
The interesting part is the pre 15 ecoboost trucks had the license plate off to the side to not cover up the opening.
Ideally your intake temps really shouldnt be much higher than ambient while driving.
The interesting part is the pre 15 ecoboost trucks had the license plate off to the side to not cover up the opening.
Ideally your intake temps really shouldnt be much higher than ambient while driving.
Last edited by Jhous3s; 02-06-2019 at 05:30 PM.
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___ (02-06-2019)
#5
I do in fact have a 3.5 EcoBoost. I might actually consider purchasing the one I linked and doing some cutting on it since JohnDay mentioned it. Looks much better than the regular opening you'd have otherwise. Thanks for the replies and help everyone!
@johnday That's a good looking truck! It seems you've removed your lower air-dam deflector as well, correct? Has that caused you any noticeable issues? Mine scrapes quite often when taking on steep inclines even though I'll angle the truck and not go head on. Something about the deflector gives the truck a slightly ugly front appearance in my opinion. Even worse when they've been poorly cut to allow room for larger wheels, lol.
@johnday That's a good looking truck! It seems you've removed your lower air-dam deflector as well, correct? Has that caused you any noticeable issues? Mine scrapes quite often when taking on steep inclines even though I'll angle the truck and not go head on. Something about the deflector gives the truck a slightly ugly front appearance in my opinion. Even worse when they've been poorly cut to allow room for larger wheels, lol.
#6
F150 Forum
I agree that you definitely do not want to block off the intercooler on an Ecoboost truck or it could have a negative impact on the intercooler's efficiency. We do also offer an optional modification in our tuning that can force the active grille shutters to stay open all the time or even disable them for customers with upgraded intercoolers that have removed the AGS system all together.
#7
Ezekiel 25:17
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I take it you have an EcoBoost. You have the open lower grille, the 5.0's have the closed grille with the fake louvers. But, and it's a BIG but, some of us have taken the 5.0 lower, opened up the space between the louvers, and stuck them on our EgoBoosts. I know of at least 3 of us on here have done that, and none of us has a problem with the CAC or charge air getting hot. I can monitor my temp, and even in summer heat, IIRC, the hottest I ever saw at the throttle body was around 122F.
Here's a front shot of mine.
Here's a front shot of mine.
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johnday in BFE (02-06-2019)
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#8
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@johnday That's a good looking truck! It seems you've removed your lower air-dam deflector as well, correct? Has that caused you any noticeable issues? Mine scrapes quite often when taking on steep inclines even though I'll angle the truck and not go head on. Something about the deflector gives the truck a slightly ugly front appearance in my opinion. Even worse when they've been poorly cut to allow room for larger wheels, lol.
#10
Senior Member
I take it you have an EcoBoost. You have the open lower grille, the 5.0's have the closed grille with the fake louvers. But, and it's a BIG but, some of us have taken the 5.0 lower, opened up the space between the louvers, and stuck them on our EgoBoosts. I know of at least 3 of us on here have done that, and none of us has a problem with the CAC or charge air getting hot. I can monitor my temp, and even in summer heat, IIRC, the hottest I ever saw at the throttle body was around 122F.
Here's a front shot of mine.
Here's a front shot of mine.