Isn't the diesel aftermarket a great thing? If we want added performance, there's something for us. If we want to spice up our truck's look, there's something else for us. And occasionally, there's something that does both.Meet the new CFM Plus intake manifold for '99 to '03 7.3L Power Strokes. Not only does its intake manifold add a unique look under the hood, but thanks to its two-piece, bolt-on design and composite-material construction, CFM Plus states it also decreases intake temperatures, lowers EGTs, and can add performance to your Super Duty.
Two-Piece Design
The reason for making a two-piece upper intake manifold (also called the intake spider) is related to the cast-aluminum, one-piece unit from the factory. With the OE manifold, once the intake air is compressed in the turbo, it begins its journey through the intercooler in the 250- to 350-degree range. The problem with this is, once the pre-intercooler side of the intake manifold gets hot (and because it's all one piece), so does the post-intercooler side.
CFM Plus discovered that this heat transfer effect from the factory actually reheated the airflow going from the intercooler into the engine-never a good scenario for those of us trying to make more power. With its two-piece system, CFM Plus was able to separate the hot side from the cool side, effectively decreasing intake temperatures. We recently installed one of its manifolds on an '02 Power Stroke at Diesel Tech in San Jacinto, California. Here's a look at how it went-stay tuned for Part Two of our Easy Ford Installs next month.
 We began the install by disconnecting...  We began the install by disconnecting the battery cables. Because our donor Power Stroke already had a few modifications, we loosened the Aeromotive adjustable fuel regulator to gain access to the factory intake manifold (we didn't want to remove it or disconnect any fuel lines completely). |  CFM Plus sent us one of its...  CFM Plus sent us one of its gloss black intake manifolds with a red, cast-aluminum turbo elbow (PN 20-002-057). Also included in the box was a full installation manual and all of the hardware needed to complete the job. |  Next, we loosened the intercooler...  Next, we loosened the intercooler boot clamps on the turbo elbow (shown) and on the intercooler-return-pipe side of the factory intake manifold. |