Drilled holes in my Helmholtz

[Chops]

I’ve installed multiple Cold Air Intakes (CAI) on my 2 previous vehicles before settling on the TRD with OEM filter on my Corolla Hatchback & an AIRAID with OEM airbox & filter on my Canyon. Other brands I tried all sounded raspy & maybe even harmful to engines. Probably spent over $1000 experimenting sigh.

So I made a vow to avoid any/all CAIs for my Lobo.

Anyway, the new stock OEM intake tube is short & direct from hood to airbox. Perfect! But what about that huge “Helmholtz Resonator”…hmm.

I drilled two 5/16 holes in the resonator as an experiment. See picture below.
(Note - the resonator is upstream from both the MAF & MAP sensors and I have automotive heat tape to cover the holes back up).

I just took a test drive in manual mode using the paddles. The “piped in” engine sound changed for the better? I swear it was a bit louder & meaner sounding grrr! Doing some further digging (GROK 3 AI) it was suggested that the “piped in” engine sound on the Lobo is connected to the Helmholtz Resonator is some way.

So it might be possible to “tune” the piped in engine noise by fiddling with the resonator yay.

Anyway, I’m going to drive some more with the two holes in resonator - then tape them over to hear if any difference.

Anyway, I’ll let you all know

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[Clarkdonbran]

Better than crabs on Uranus?

 

[Chops]

I’ve installed multiple Cold Air Intakes (CAI) on my 2 previous vehicles before settling on the TRD with OEM filter on my Corolla Hatchback & an AIRAID with OEM airbox & filter on my Canyon. Other brands I tried all sounded raspy & maybe even harmful to engines. Probably spent over $1000 experimenting sigh.

So I made a vow to avoid any/all CAIs for my Lobo.

Anyway, the new stock OEM intake tube is short & direct from hood to airbox. Perfect! But what about that huge “Helmholtz Resonator”…hmm.

I drilled two 5/16 holes in the resonator as an experiment. See picture below.
(Note - the resonator is upstream from both the MAF & MAP sensors and I have automotive heat tape to cover the holes back up).

I just took a test drive in manual mode using the paddles. The “piped in” engine sound changed for the better? I swear it was a bit louder & meaner sounding grrr! Doing some further digging (GROK 3 AI) it was suggested that the “piped in” engine sound on the Lobo is connected to the Helmholtz Resonator is some way.

So it might be possible to “tune” the piped in engine noise by fiddling with the resonator yay.

Anyway, I’m going to drive some more with the two holes in resonator - then tape them over to hear if any difference.

Anyway, I’ll let you all know

Better than crabs on Uranus?

Yes, better than crabs on Myanus. Although anus crabs are distracting mostly - the auditory engine sounds help with “shifting”.

I mostly enjoy driving a manual transmission. My favorite part is listening to the engine & revs to decide when to shift. Really enjoy that - but dislike the footwork involved. I’m a pigeon toed clod so the heel/toe & the 3rd pedal get tiresome sorry.

But a good manual mode paddle shifting setup makes me happy

This comment from Grok 3 sounded interesting
“In the Ford Maverick, particularly in models like the Lariat, Lobo, and Tremor with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, the "piped-in" engine noise is often a result of the air box resonator or a similar system working in conjunction with the vehicle’s audio system. The Helmholtz resonator in the air intake can amplify specific frequencies to create a more aggressive or refined engine sound, which is then transmitted into the cabin, sometimes enhanced electronically through the speakers.”

I think “in conjunction” means “in addition to”. That is - the real intake noise from resonator compliments the fake engine noise. They are not mechanically or electronically connected.

Anyway, will continue to fiddle

 

[Buggy Man]

I'd like to hear (no pun intended) more about this. I might try it.
If it doesn't work you can always plug the holes with those plastic push-on rivets like they use in the fender wells. That way it will look like OEM instead of tape.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

I would think that making it louder would be a big negative.
Will this improve engine longevity? Engineers often compromise regarding airflow and varying temps due to mfg cost.

 

[Tbone289]

I just took a test drive in manual mode using the paddles. The “piped in” engine sound changed for the better? I swear it was a bit louder & meaner sounding grrr! Doing some further digging (GROK 3 AI) it was suggested that the “piped in” engine sound on the Lobo is connected to the Helmholtz Resonator is some way.

So it might be possible to “tune” the piped in engine noise by fiddling with the resonator yay.

Anyway, I’m going to drive some more with the two holes in resonator - then tape them over to hear if any difference.

Anyway, I’ll let you all know

I thought the sound enhancement in the Maverick was solely provided by the audio system. More specifically, only the Sync audio system, as all Mavericks without Sync (MyFord Touch) don't have sound enhancement. Do you have reason to believe that the intake resonator plays a part in that system?

 

[Chops]

I'd like to hear (no pun intended) more about this. I might try it.
If it doesn't work you can always plug the holes with those plastic push-on rivets like they use in the fender wells. That way it will look like OEM instead of tape.

Great idea about using the OEM push rivets instead of tape. I have several left over after a mudflap install

However, I’m thinking the holes will stay

Took a “4 Hole” half throttle bean run to 65mph yesterday (still breaking in engine - no WOT for awhile). Taped up the holes & did the same thing/place today.

Notes:
1) Seems the fake engine noise only really kicks in while driving in “M” mode - which is how I am now driving exclusively after warmup.
2) I have used multiple “Cold Air Intakes” on multiple cars. Some really sucked (pun) by being raspy sounding - kind of obnoxious like listening to RFK jr talk. Can’t be healthy for an engine.
3) Todays run sounded 100% fake engine noise & yesterday I detected a slight growl from the intake with 4 Helmholtz Holes.
4) The tape is off and I’m going to add 4 more holes for a total of 8 - and do a test run tomorrow!

The 2025 MPC engine’s resonator is in the perfect place for an aftermarket CAI. Up high and right near the grille. I think I may have saved myself $400 bucks or so

I will let you know how “8 Holes” sounds tomorrow.

 

[Chops]

I thought the sound enhancement in the Maverick was solely provided by the audio system. More specifically, only the Sync audio system, as all Mavericks without Sync (MyFord Touch) don't have sound enhancement. Do you have reason to believe that the intake resonator plays a part in that system?

I don’t know if the resonator plays any direct part of engine noise enhancement. But I would guess nope.

However, the resonator definitely plays a part of real world throttle noise management. That is it’s purpose & why I am fiddling with it. I want to hear a growl grrr

 

[Meeka]

Great idea about using the OEM push rivets instead of tape. I have several left over after a mudflap install

However, I’m thinking the holes will stay

Took a “4 Hole” half throttle bean run to 65mph yesterday (still breaking in engine - no WOT for awhile). Taped up the holes & did the same thing/place today.

Notes:
1) Seems the fake engine noise only really kicks in while driving in “M” mode - which is how I am now driving exclusively after warmup.
2) I have used multiple “Cold Air Intakes” on multiple cars. Some really sucked (pun) by being raspy sounding - kind of obnoxious like listening to RFK jr talk. Can’t be healthy for an engine.
3) Todays run sounded 100% fake engine noise & yesterday I detected a slight growl from the intake with 4 Helmholtz Holes.
4) The tape is off and I’m going to add 4 more holes for a total of 8 - and do a test run tomorrow!

The 2025 MPC engine’s resonator is in the perfect place for an aftermarket CAI. Up high and right near the grille. I think I may have saved myself $400 bucks or so

I will let you know how “8 Holes” sounds tomorrow.

WTF is ‘fake’ engine noise on a 2.0 gas EcoBoost, and also, what is ‘M’ mode? I

 

[Tbone289]

I guess I was confused. Going back to your OP, you mentioned that AI suggested that that the "piped in" sound was connected to the resonator in some way. But understood, you're just trying to offset the function of the resonator to some degree, to increase intake noise. An unfortunate side effect could be pulling in hot engine bay air through the "tuning" holes, partially defeating the purpose of the stock "cold" intake source in front of the radiator.

I forget that you have those functional vents to evacuate the engine by heat though...

 

[Chops]

I would think that making it louder would be a big negative.
Will this improve engine longevity? Engineers often compromise regarding airflow and varying temps due to mfg cost.

The engineers designed the resonator to reduce the throttle input sound - so you are right that my fiddling will potentially make it louder.

Importantly - both the MAP & MAF sensors are downstream of the resonator, and of course the air filter. Fiddling with the resonator on this engine will only affect the sound. Many after Cold Air Intake products have you remove the resonators completely. I’m definitely not going to do that!

 

[Chops]

WTF is ‘fake’ engine noise on a 2.0 gas EcoBoost, and also, what is ‘M’ mode? I

“M” Mode is found on the Lobo model. It enables one to shift the gears manually using the paddles that are on the steering wheel. “M” Mode is activated by a “M” button in center of the gear selection knob.

edit…and “fake engine noise” is artificial electronic engine sounds played through the Maverick’s speakers

 

[Chops]

I guess I was confused. Going back to your OP, you mentioned that AI suggested that that the "piped in" sound was connected to the resonator in some way. But understood, you're just trying to offset the function of the resonator to some degree, to increase intake noise. An unfortunate side effect could be pulling in hot engine bay air through the "tuning" holes, partially defeating the purpose of the stock "cold" intake source in front of the radiator.

I forget that you have those functional vents to evacuate the engine by heat though...

I was confused not you. I think that AI generated answer was incorrect & I noted the fact in a post further down

 

[Meeka]

“M” Mode is found on the Lobo model. It enables one to shift the gears manually using the paddles that are on the steering wheel. “M” Mode is activated by a “M” button in center of the gear selection knob.

edit…and “fake engine noise” is artificial electronic engine sounds played through the Maverick’s speakers

Oh, ok. Thank you for setting me straight on this ‘Chops’. Wish my Mav had paddle shifters, my wife’s Honda does and it’s great when I say I have to go to the store, can I use your car? so on the LOBO, the ‘M’ just replaces the ‘L’ on the other ones. Gonna start looking into trading my XLT in.

 

[Meeka]

“M” Mode is found on the Lobo model. It enables one to shift the gears manually using the paddles that are on the steering wheel. “M” Mode is activated by a “M” button in center of the gear selection knob.

edit…and “fake engine noise” is artificial electronic engine sounds played through the Maverick’s speakers

Does the artificial engine sound only work on the LOBO speakers?

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