Cold Air intake for 2.5L

[Michael.Larkin]

Hey guys, so a few months ago I ended up with a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL that used to belong to my grandpa. It's basically brand new, only has around 20,000 miles on it. Anyway, I'm familiar with the fact that the little 4 banger can't make a lot of power, but I'm looking to get as much out of it as I can (yes, I've looked into trading it for a V6 Sport from the same model generation, but I can't find one with miles as low as mine lol). I saw that Steeda makes performance parts for the car, and I do actually see my self buying the front strut tower brace from them as it's a pretty good deal, but when I looked at the cold air intake it was like $250! so I started looking for cheaper options and I came across this kit on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUE-2006-2012-FORD-FUSION-2-3-2-3L-2-5-2-5L-HEATSHIELD-COLD-AIR-INTAKE-KIT/261368078579?fits=Year%3A2012|Model%3AFusion|Engine+-+Liter_Display%3A2.5L|Make%3AFord&hash=item3cdac060f3:g:I4sAAMXQVERSyPvJ

yes, before you say anything I am all too familiar with the reputation Ebay car parts have, but I was just wondering if it worth the price diffference? Is there any possibility that I could use this down the line in tandem with one of those SCT X4 tuners to get more performance out of it? is there really any difference between that kit and a steeda cold air intake beside maybe the quality? they both appear to have heat shields, so how much of a performance difference is there between them?

 

-sidenote, my buddy has a 1999 Pontiac Grand-Am shitbox with a 2.4L and bought a $30 cold air intake from the same seller and hasn't had any issues so far.

Edited March 10, 2020 by Michael.Larkin

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, Michael.Larkin said:

Hey guys, so a few months ago I ended up with a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL that used to belong to my grandpa. It's basically brand new, only has around 20,000 miles on it. Anyway, I'm familiar with the fact that the little 4 banger can't make a lot of power, but I'm looking to get as much out of it as I can (yes, I've looked into trading it for a V6 Sport from the same model generation, but I can't find one with miles as low as mine lol). I saw that Steeda makes performance parts for the car, and I do actually see my self buying the front strut tower brace from them as it's a pretty good deal, but when I looked at the cold air intake it was like $250! so I started looking for cheaper options and I came across this kit on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUE-2006-2012-FORD-FUSION-2-3-2-3L-2-5-2-5L-HEATSHIELD-COLD-AIR-INTAKE-KIT/261368078579?fits=Year%3A2012|Model%3AFusion|Engine+-+Liter_Display%3A2.5L|Make%3AFord&hash=item3cdac060f3:g:I4sAAMXQVERSyPvJ

yes, before you say anything I am all too familiar with the reputation Ebay car parts have, but I was just wondering if it worth the price diffference? Is there any possibility that I could use this down the line in tandem with one of those SCX X4 tuners to get more performance out of it? is there really any difference between that kit and a steeda cold air intake beside maybe the quality? they both appear to have heat shields, so how much of a performance difference is there between them?

 

-sidenote, my buddy has a 1999 Pontiac Grand-Am shitbox with a 2.4L and bought a $30 cold air intake from the same seller and hasn't had any issues so far.

 

Hi Michael. The hard truth is neither one will give you any performance benefit. The Fusion already has a free breathing intake that brings in more than enough cold air through the snorkel. Insulated or not, an aftermarket intake will pull in warmer air than the factory intake.

 

Same goes for the strut tower brace. If you look at the Fusion front suspension, the strut towers are already essentially tied into the firewall. A strut bar will look nice but that is about it for anything short of rally racing.

 

Do the intake for sound if you like. Do the strut tower brace for looks if you want. Do them for bragging rights if you want.  But neither will give a performance gain.

 

I am sure others will jump in with their own opinions and information. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Michael.Larkin]

so is there any mods that can be done to increase performance on a 2.5L? would that sct tune thing help at all?

Edited March 10, 2020 by Michael.Larkin

[bbf2530]

9 hours ago, Michael.Larkin said:

so is there any mods that can be done to increase performance on a 2.5L? would that sct tune thing help at all?

 

Hi Michael. Well, I will offer my educated opinion: There is not much that can be done to realistically improve the engine performance of the 2.5L. It is a good engine, just not a lot is out there that will truly improve performance in the real world.

 

I understand it was your grandpa's and you are happy to have it (as I would be too), just quoting what others have said in the past when asked about the performance subject: "If you wanted performance, you should have bought the Fusion Sport with the 3.5L engine".

 

You might be better off enjoying the gift from your grandpa as it is performance wise, and putting your money into nicer wheels, lowering it if you like, or other appearance modifications.

 

I'm sure others will jump in with their own advice and recommendations, some of which may be the opposite of mine (and that is okay).

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Slofuze]

I have the Steeda intake on my 2.5L and honestly theres barely any (if any) performance gains from it but it does sound a bit louder. So if your like me and like to make noise then go for it, but as for performance I'd look into a tune from CD3 Performance or Steeda. Don't have any experience with it personally but I've heard good things about both so its worth a shot maybe. 

[Xemphios]

I have a 2010 SE with the 2.5L. I was looking for the same thing you are and came up with nothing. Best thing you can do is get good summer tires and lighter wheels. You can also do some weight reduction by taking out the spare and other things in the trunk. Maybe the back seats if you're really looking to lose some weight. After that I just don't see the cost being worth the benefit. A cat back and cold air intake could reduce weight and add a few HP, but are those few pounds and HP worth the price? Not to mention the cost of a tune. I'm getting some new wheels in a couple weeks that are about 18lbs compared to the 39lbs steel wheel and will be running Firehawk Indy 500s on all four this summer. Other than that I'm using it to learn about detailing and maintenance. I might do some other cosmetic changes like aftermarket headlights and tail lights and blacking out the chrome to give it a different look, but I've given up on pulling more performance out of the engine.