Do I need an intake for Stage 3?

[wrongwheeldrive]

I am getting antsy to go from stage 1 to stage 3.

I understand the need for a larger intercooler and a downpipe, but do I really need an intake as well?
I have always felt intakes don't do much. Can I just drill my stock air box instead? Would the intake become the bottleneck in an overall Stage 3 system? I like to keep my car looking as stock as possible. I also like the idea of adding just enough mods so I can bring the car back to stock in one Saturday if I had to.

Thoughts?

-Peter

 

[dyn085]

No, you don't. I'm at stage 3 without an intake. I intend to datalog any differences when I install one, but I'm not expecting to see much-if any at all.

 

[iso100]

Same here. I just have a drop in filter in the stock box. Oh, and a silicone intake hose like Mountune sells.

 

[MrClean]

You will be ok.

 

[zamirar24]

what about stock intercooler new exhaust ?

 

[dyn085]

what about stock intercooler new exhaust ?

Stock intercooler means that you should not go above stage 1, regardless of any additional modifications. If you upgrade every part but the intercooler, stage 1 is still your answer.

Stage 0- Stock tune
Stage 1- Tune only, no specific hard parts.
Stage 2- Stage 1 + FMIC
Stage 3- Stage 2 + DP

Anything else can be added at any time and you may/may not see improvement, but those are the required parts to have per stage.

 

[airjor13]

what about stock intercooler new exhaust ?

Heat soak will be a huge issue

 

[zamirar24]

any good prices on a intercooler?

 

[airjor13]

any good prices on a intercooler?

I might be wrong but Levels IC is the lowest priced bolt-on at $450 + Shipping,

J-line is cheaper but its not an bolt-on affair, but lots of guys do a bit of DIY to get it on, solid IC, I think one vendor was working on a bolt on kit but I don't know how that has progressed.

Then you have ATP / COBB / Airtec / DHM IC in the above $500 range, if I were to do it all again with 1 I/C it would be DHM.

Here are some threads with good information to consider.

http://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/4270-DHM-Race-Crash-Bar-and-Intercooler!

http://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/3755-Which-Fiesta-ST-intercooler-did-you-choose/page8

http://www.fiestastforum.com/forum/threads/1379-Fiesta-ST-Intercooler-Info-Thread/page20