dRock's Zip Tube FAQ

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Just some quick tidbits on the intake tubes used in 1992 and newer panthers. Sorry if it's a little unorganized, I took the info from posts of mine on the forums:
General info:

• '91 (TC) / '92-'95 Use a thin walled plastic tube from the air cleaner box to the intake (with a small plastic box in front of that)
• '96-'97 Use the 'newer' style tube, but have a revised section/two small holes for the engine cover
• '98-'04 Use the same tube as '96-'97 models, but without the engine cover mount indents
• '98-'02 Town Cars use the '98-'04 style CV/GM tube, with a resonator mounted under the engine cover to the zip tube
• '03-'04 Town Cars use the same style tube, but with an additional resonator mounted at an angle, outside the engine cover
  • *SOME '04 CV/GMQ models used the '03-'04 Town Car ziptube, though not all
  • Picture of a '03-'04 Town Car zip tube:
    
• '03-'04 Marauders use a unique, resonated zip tube. It has an 80mm MAF inlet, but with the DOHC's 'double barrel' throttle body opening. It CANNOT be used on any year 4.6 SOHC panther w/o modification.
• 2004+ CVPIs use a straighter air tube with 80mm MAF opening
• All '05+ tubes are straighter like the '04 CVPI tube
• All '05+ tubes lack the IAC supply tube port
• All '05+ Civilian tubes have intake resonator(s)
• 2005 retail tubes have a non-replacable hydrocarbon filter inside.
  • Pictures of '05 tube w/ hydrocarbon filter: #1; #2; #3
• All '05+ were designed to work on 80mm MAFs (05+ civlian 70mm MAFs have a larger outlet following the 70mm maf unit, making the opening the same as the 80mm units)
  • I have this shown in the pics below:
    
    
  • Because of this, a 2005+ CVPI tube is a direct swap on all 2005+ panthers regardless of MAF/airbox type. The only real benefit would be the lack of resonators (more intake noise).
• You can't use a 05+ tube on a -04, the IAC supply tube barb/hole is not present, as the IAC was eliminated for 05+ with the ETC throttle by wire system.
  • With some light modification to an 05+ tube (somehow securing a composite hose barb for the IAC tube) they can be used on -04, but only those which have swapped in an 80mm MAF (exc 04 CVPI)
• The '06 CVPI tube looks pretty much the same as the '04 tube, but without the IAC port. It is also a thicker, more rigid material. The '04 tube is very plyable.
• The '05 CVPI tube is similar to the '04 and '06 tubes, but has a very 'heavy' grid pattern on the outside
  • The grid pattern on the 05 tube vs the smoother exterior 06+ tube is appearance only,the inside is stlll smooth.
  • '05 and '06 CVPI tubes (all 05+) are swappable, if you would like to get an 06 CVPI tube to replace your '05's

• The ribbed section is present on all the OEM ziptubes for a reason. The motor will twist some, especially under heavy load/high throttle positions. The airbox is fixed to the fender liner. The ribbed section increases the tube's flexibilty reducing stress on the MAF/Airbox lid under these conditions.
• All '92-'04 CV/GM/TC airboxes are pretty much the same. Earlier models ('91/'92-'95) used an aluminum MAF housing. '03+ airboxes do not have the IAT provision in upper lid (integrated to MAF)
• '95-'04 *(exc. '04 CVPI) use the same 6 pin MAF connector. '03+ MAFs have an integrated IAT, the two outer pins on MAF connector are for this (un-used on '95-'02)
• 2003-2004 Marauders use a free-er flowing airbox with an 80mm MAF. It features a slightly revised air intake angle, and a larger intake 'snout' It is a great upgrade for '96-'04 cv/gm/tc. A computer tune is required to use the 80mm MAF
• 04+ CVPIs use a 80mm MAF with Marauder-style box. The MAF is integrated to the upper lid, and uses the newest style MAF connector.
• The 05+ CV/GM/TC recieved the same *new* style MAF connector/integrated IAT with MAF integrated to upper lid like the 2004+ CVPIs.
• For comparison of the pictures seen above of 2005+ panthers, here is a 2004 CVPI:
  
  Image Courtesy Liquid
  • Note the airbox and MAF remained the same for '05+ CVPI as the '04 CVPI, the taper and such was unchanged.
  • Also note the new style MAF connector which was exclusive to the CVPI for 2004, but was adapted to all panthers for 2005+
  • In addition, note the integrated MAF to the upper lid. As seen above 2005+ civlian panthers adopted this as well, but still using a 70mm MAF
  • Despite the very clear visual proof, some numbnuts still argue with me that the '04 CVPi did not recieve the new style MAF connector. but as you can clearly see it did.
  • 2004+ CVPIs are rated for 250hp thanks to this airbox+MAF, vs 239 for their '03+ dual exhaust civlian counterparts and '03 CVPI
• Picture of a 2003-2004 Marauder engine bay for comparison:
  
  • Note the similar upper airbox lid design to the 04+ CVPI airboxes
  • Also note the MAF and housing are detachable from the upper airbox lid, unlike the 04+ CVPI and 05+ all with integrated MAF/upper lid
  • The MM MAF is 80mm, and uses the older style 6 pin connector
  • The Zip tube is unique to the MM, as mentioned above. Notice the wide taper at the enge end to accomodate the dual-bore DOHC throttle body
• Don't remove your air-intake silencer/snout. It won't do anything for you but make a little more noise and suck in more heat.
• If you have an 05+ then use the 04+ CVPI airbox/MAF and a PCM reflash to avoid harness modification
• If you have a -04 use the 03-04 Marauder Airbox/MAF to avoid harness modification
  • for -02s you will need to drill a hole in the airbox lid for your IAT sensor or solder in the new harness to utilize the MM MAF's integrated IAT.
    Info at Charlie's site: http://www.redpulsar.us/~coldfusion/mmintake.html
• The 04 CVPI zip-tube is a popular upgrade for 96-04 owners when retrofitting a Marauder airbox.
  • This zip-tube is designed only for 80mm MAFs
  • www.blueovalchips.com has recently begun selling adapters to use the 04 CVPI tube on 96-04 cars with their stock, 70mm MAF
    Although the '04+ is straighter, this is a worthless modification. You will not gain any measurable increase at all, and will block your oil fill cap. The advantage of the '04 tube is that it is easy to slip on the 80mm MAF
• 96-02 owners with ABS WITH Traction Control/Traction Assist (-97) will have a minor brake line collision using the 04 CVPI ziptube.
  • It is minor, but does bump into the tube some. The TRAC brake valve protrudes out far, which is why it contacts the tube
  • Picture of the contact point: Click here
  • This is a non-issue for 01+ owners - the Master Cylinder and TRAC valve were altered.
  • This is also a non-issue for 96-04 owners (with or without ABS) that do not have Traction Control or ETA
    • All '95-'97 models w/ ABS came standard with Electronic Traction Assist. Exc. Town Car, which had ETA optional
    • TRAC cars are easily identified by the ABS/TRAC sticker atop M/C booster, the silver valve found on -00 models as mentioned above, and the ABS HCU has 4 outputs vs 3 on non-TRAC (-'97)
    • The -1995 models with ABS+ETA also will not have this issue as the valve is mounted below the M/C on -95s rather than to the side on '96-'00
    • If one is determined enough, a 95 M/C+ valve should swap in place of a 96-02 unit so long as both have ABS+TRAC/ETA
  • One more tid bit, the 04 CVPI tube will rest atop the oil fill cap on '96-'02 models. This is NBD, but does make oil refills and top-offs more work. You can fill the crankcase by using a funnel in the PCV valve grommet on RH valve cover, however.
• The Marauder and '04+ CVPI airbox uses 'hook'-like latching on the inboard side of the airbox to secure the upper lid, versus the 'tab'-like latching of standard panther airboxes
  • This setup allows for a much stronger, firmer clamping of the upper and lower airbox halves
  • The tab-like mounting on the civlian boxes is kind of flimsy, and is more easily assembled incorrectly possibly allowing unfiltered air and debris to enter the intake tract.

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Page last updated: 12/08