AMS Performance 2021+ Ford Raptor & F-150 3.5L EcoBoost Turbo Inlet Tubes

Data Driven Design

At AMS, product development is driven by real-world data. Our development vehicles are equipped with a MoTeC dash data logger and a 19-sensor array that monitors critical engine and turbocharger parameters in real time. This instrumentation allows our engineers to capture detailed data during dyno testing and on-road validation, ensuring every design decision is based on measurable performance improvements.

During development of the AMS Turbo Inlet Tubes, our team monitored key system parameters including compressor outlet temperature, charge air temperature, turbine inlet pressure, drive pressure ratio, and exhaust gas temperature across both turbocharger banks to understand how inlet restriction affects the entire turbo system.

Testing on a 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost equipped with an AMS Intake, AMS Intercooler, and 93 octane calibration showed clear improvements across these channels when the AMS inlet tubes were installed. With reduced restriction ahead of the compressor, the turbochargers operated at lower pressure ratios and reduced shaft speeds while producing the same manifold pressure, resulting in lower compressor outlet temperatures and reduced thermal load on the intercooler system.

Lower compressor workload also reduced turbine demand, producing lower turbine inlet pressure and a more favorable drive pressure ratio. This allows exhaust gases to exit the cylinders more efficiently and helps reduce exhaust gas temperatures during equivalent power runs.

One of the most important indicators of intake system restriction is pressure drop ahead of the turbocharger compressor. Ideally, pressure at the compressor inlet should remain as close to atmospheric as possible. At approximately 470 wheel horsepower, the AMS Turbo Inlet Tubes reduced turbo inlet pressure drop by up to 2.6 PSI compared to the OEM inlet tubes, with no calibration changes between runs. The AMS F150 Turbo Inlet Tubes also delivered nearly identical airflow results across both banks, demonstrating how well-matched the system is as a paired set. Balanced airflow between turbochargers promotes more consistent engine performance and more predictable ECU calibration.

Reducing restriction at the compressor inlet lowers the pressure ratio required to produce the same boost level. This allows the turbochargers to operate in a more efficient region of the compressor map, which reduces shaft speed and compressor outlet temperature. Lower turbo workload also reduces turbine inlet pressure and exhaust backpressure, helping improve engine efficiency and durability while increasing available airflow headroom for higher power levels.

Test Bench Results That Speak For Themselves

To quantify airflow gains with absolute precision, our AMS SnailWorks® Engineering Team ran the OEM intake tubes, a leading competitor’s offering, and the AMS F150 Turbo Inlet Tubes through our state-of-the-art MAF-based flowbench. Using MoTeC instrumentation to capture real-time pressure and airflow data, each inlet tube was tested under identical, repeatable conditions simulating the airflow demands of a ~500 WHP 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

The results were unmistakable. The factory intake tubes struggled, showing –2.05 psi of depression on the right intake tract, a clear sign of significant restriction. The competitor system performed marginally better but still exhibited notable pressure drop. In contrast, the AMS Turbo Inlet Tubes demonstrated a dramatic improvement with only –1.18 psi of depression at the same airflow level, representing up to a 42.4% reduction in restriction versus OEM. At any given pressure drop, the AMS system consistently flowed more air than both stock and competitor offerings, making it the least restrictive inlet tube solution in the test group.

The data speaks for itself: if you’re seeking maximum airflow and horsepower potential, the AMS Performance 2021+ Ford Raptor and F-150 3.5L EcoBoost Turbo Inlet Tubes stand alone at the top.