Are downpipes and a intercooler worth it without a tune?

[2020FordRaptor]

Hello everyone:

I just had a quick question, are downpipes, intercooler, and an cold air intake (still thinking about the CAI though) worth it without a tune?

Thanks.

 

[Nex]

No.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

I would think the intercooler would be, just due to heat soak.

The factory intercooler is pretty small and around here people tow a lot and we have a lot of mountains we have to tow over. Going up a 4 mile long 6% grade makes a lot of heat.

 

[nikhsub1]

I would think the intercooler would be, just due to heat soak.

The factory intercooler is pretty small and around here people tow a lot and we have a lot of mountains we have to tow over. Going up a 4 mile long 6% grade makes a lot of heat.

Agree. An IC is always a good idea, the oem unit is garbage on these trucks. DPs are kind of a waste - I did them because one of my OEM cats shit the bed and Ford blamed it on my intake so I upgraded to the SPD units but I never would have if I didn't have a bad OEM cat that Ford refused to replace under warranty.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

No.

So it won't help at all with gas mileage, turbo speed, or like a 12 HP gain?

 

[smurfslayer]

At least in theory, a better intercooler would definitely help you retain horsepower / torque in relatively high temps, particularly in either extended duration pulls or repeat short duration pulls. This would be a potential warranty buster. I think you’re less likely to have uncomfortable questions with a stock mount CAC. The front mount intercoolers are a huge “heavily modded” signal to anyone looking, especially techs with an axe to grind for whatever reason.

It will entirely depend on the individual’s working on the vehicle in the event you have a problem and the nature of the problem. If it’s the only mod, no tune, etc. and there’s some oddball powertrain issue, let’s say it’s a major one, like IDK... transmission or transfer case grenades. I think it would take a stretch of reality to relate an intercooler to that failure. But what if the engine ingested things it shouldn’t have? Yeah, that could well be on you.

I’ve seen some claims that a better intercooler actually nets more hp over stock. I haven’t seen any independent data to back that up.

A better intercooler would position you for future tuning or other mods like bigger turbos.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

At least in theory, a better intercooler would definitely help you retain horsepower / torque in relatively high temps, particularly in either extended duration pulls or repeat short duration pulls. This would be a potential warranty buster. I think you’re less likely to have uncomfortable questions with a stock mount CAC. The front mount intercoolers are a huge “heavily modded” signal to anyone looking, especially techs with an axe to grind for whatever reason.

It will entirely depend on the individual’s working on the vehicle in the event you have a problem and the nature of the problem. If it’s the only mod, no tune, etc. and there’s some oddball powertrain issue, let’s say it’s a major one, like IDK... transmission or transfer case grenades. I think it would take a stretch of reality to relate an intercooler to that failure. But what if the engine ingested things it shouldn’t have? Yeah, that could well be on you.

I’ve seen some claims that a better intercooler actually nets more hp over stock. I haven’t seen any independent data to back that up.

A better intercooler would position you for future tuning or other mods like bigger turbos.

Wow! You kind of know what you are doing! If I got an intercooler I would have it installed by a dealership and have Forx Protect send me a email in writing that it won't void warranty. It does get a little hot here but nothing much over a 100 Degrees Fahrenheit.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

I would think the intercooler would be, just due to heat soak.

The factory intercooler is pretty small and around here people tow a lot and we have a lot of mountains we have to tow over. Going up a 4 mile long 6% grade makes a lot of heat.

I don't tow at all with this truck (I have an F150 for that).

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Agree. An IC is always a good idea, the oem unit is garbage on these trucks. DPs are kind of a waste - I did them because one of my OEM cats shit the bed and Ford blamed it on my intake so I upgraded to the SPD units but I never would have if I didn't have a bad OEM cat that Ford refused to replace under warranty.

Please remove that S-Bomb from my thread. I do not promote that language.

 

[Old-Raptor-guy]

I don't tow at all with this truck (I have an F150 for that).

You are missing the point. If you never use or abuse the truck as it was intended to be used and abused then don't touch a damn thing.

You want to modify but will see 0 benefits from modifications because you will not use the stock limits of the truck.