Cobb Tuning Radiator cover installed on 3.5 EcoBoost

[Babbage]

Got the $125 COBB Tuning radiator cover installed today. I saw the TSB about the 2004 inlets in the rubber radiator cover too small etc. This looks like a nice small upgrade over factory, doesn't flop around, lets more air in the vents and the ends (see pics) are more open as well. I like that the four bolts that were under the factory piece are now on top of the new one.

I also got the COBB metal brace for the factory intake, intake won't deform and (and possible collapse) under vacuum. COBB unit vs factory

Fit and finish is very good, comes with a foam pad to apply to the back before install, and a slide on grommet on front edge cover (underneath) so it will not rub/vibrate. Nice power coated aluminum, upgraded nylon hardware. No rattle, wiggle etc.

Cobb also makes the same kit in fancy carbon fiber - for like 2x the price.
I love the one I got. The carbon one is sexy for sure. Haven't seen anyone with these, post up if you get one.

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[mdomicolo]

I also have this, great product.

 

[tx5.0]

this looks great, I wish they made it for the 5.0.

 

[Jimko]

Have you noticed any rise in engine temp? I know there were posts on another forum about that being a possibility with this. Only reason i was actually holding off getting this.


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[HammaMan]

Honestly you're better off trimming your factory piece. Here's a sample of a trimmed piece and you can see the superior airflow this allows for. You can make a cardboard / paperboard template for clean lines.

 

[ReverendQ]

Honestly you're better off trimming your factory piece. Here's a sample of a trimmed piece and you can see the superior airflow this allows for. You can make a cardboard / paperboard template for clean lines.

First you said my engine bay was dusty, now you insinuate that my lines aren't straight, but you use my pic to show what can be done?

@Jimko I used scissors without even taking it out. I'm more about function than features. Besides, its a truck! Cut me Mick! Rocky: Cut Me, Mick

 

[HammaMan]

First you said my engine bay was dusty, now you insinuate that my lines aren't straight, but you use my pic to show what can be done?

@Jimko I used scissors without even taking it out. I'm more about function than features. Besides, its a truck! Cut me Mick! Rocky: Cut Me, Mick

Ha, I didn't out you -- I had it on hand, what can I say

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Got the $125 COBB Tuning radiator cover installed today. I saw the TSB about the 2004 inlets in the rubber radiator cover too small etc. This looks like a nice small upgrade over factory, doesn't flop around, lets more air in the vents and the ends (see pics) are more open as well. I like that the four bolts that were under the factory piece are now on top of the new one.

I also got the COBB metal brace for the factory intake, intake won't deform and (and possible collapse) under vacuum. COBB unit vs factory

Fit and finish is very good, comes with a foam pad to apply to the back before install, and a slide on grommet on front edge cover (underneath) so it will not rub/vibrate. Nice power coated aluminum, upgraded nylon hardware. No rattle, wiggle etc.

Cobb also makes the same kit in fancy carbon fiber - for like 2x the price.
I love the one I got. The carbon one is sexy for sure. Haven't seen anyone with these, post up if you get one.

The issues with the factory piece wasn’t the lack of ventilation area, it was distorting of the cover and sealing against the bottom of the hood.

Not using the foam seals creates a hot air intake. Not good for inlet air of engine temps

 

[Jimko]

First you said my engine bay was dusty, now you insinuate that my lines aren't straight, but you use my pic to show what can be done?

@Jimko I used scissors without even taking it out. I'm more about function than features. Besides, its a truck! Cut me Mick! Rocky: Cut Me, Mick

yea I already cut out the section on the oem shroud. I just like the way the COBB shroud looks but was hesitant in buying it based on the other thread saying there could be engine heat issues with it. There are a couple of threads on the Tremor forum and the people who installed it have not mentioned any abnormalities with engine heat so there is that.

 

[Babbage]

The issues with the factory piece wasn’t the lack of ventilation area, it was distorting of the cover and sealing against the bottom of the hood.

Not using the foam seals creates a hot air intake. Not good for inlet air of engine temps

I'm lost here, the foam pad for the COBB piece goes under the metal plate, which stops any potential rattle. The metal cover will not distort and lets in more cool air than the factory rubber cover.

 

[Babbage]

Honestly you're better off trimming your factory piece. Here's a sample of a trimmed piece and you can see the superior airflow this allows for. You can make a cardboard / paperboard template for clean lines.

The ends are not cut on each side. Cobb cover also deletes those. On the drivers side you can see straight down to the road, so cool air can also enter there. Cobb unit looks to have more surface area, unless you also hack the passenger side as well plus cut both ends off. Also I wasn't into the "butchered" look.

 

[crazywayne311]

Ive thought about doing this but i decided to cut the factory piece for now. maybe a bit down the road i'll switch out. saving money haha

 

[HammaMan]

The ends are not cut on each side. Cobb cover also deletes those. On the drivers side you can see straight down to the road, so cool air can also enter there. Cobb unit looks to have more surface area, unless you also hack the passenger side as well plus cut both ends off. Also I wasn't into the "butchered" look.

The issue isn't so cut and dry. Examine the hood of your truck and then slowly start to close it looking at the gap and the airflow. If you look at the new factory design you'll see how much more opened it is. That hex grating chops up airflow quite a bit. If I were to make a part like that I wouldn't use grating, I'd press that entire area down to keep uniform flow. Looks good, just not practical/functional.

Here's another trimmed one

New factory design

When you examine how the hood closes and its design in general, it should become apparent what's going on. I'd be quite surprised if the current design cobb is selling hasn't already been redesigned and they're just waiting to get rid of remaining inventory before releasing the new and improved version.

 

[Babbage]

New factory design is better -- is that 24-25?, what about the passenger side? The Cobb is functional for sure, surface area larger and there are no ends either. The hex mesh keeps small birds and other items out. I think you should call up Cobb and tell them they are wrong. (lol)

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I'm lost here, the foam pad for the COBB piece goes under the metal plate, which stops any potential rattle. The metal cover will not distort and lets in more cool air than the factory rubber cover.

It needs a seal between the hood and the air deflector. Look at the seal that’s on the factory piece. It’s there for a reason. Yes the area of your Cobb piece does have larger openings. But all that air is lost. It is not channeled toward the air intake snorkel.
Cobb made a nice piece but poorly executed the idea. They were nearly there but dropped the ball with the lack of the seal.

I wanted to buy one of the carbon fiber piece. It’s a damn work of art. However, the lack of seal and researching the detriments of that, led me to simply cut my factory piece.

After about a week, I was picking up some oil filters and talked to my salesman. I asked him about it and he ordered me a new design air deflector that was called out in the TSB

You can see my set up above, the second picture is mine.

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