eBay Cold Air Intake

jeremesh · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:49 pm

I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for but with cold air intakes, isn't a piece of pipe a piece of pipe? Why is the $250 K&N better than the $35 ebay model. Filter quality aside, that I understand but why couldn't I buy the cheap aluminum pipe from ebay and then put a K&N filter on it?

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:09 pm

jeremesh wrote:

I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for but with cold air intakes, isn't a piece of pipe a piece of pipe? Why is the $250 K&N better than the $35 ebay model. Filter quality aside, that I understand but why couldn't I buy the cheap aluminum pipe from ebay and then put a K&N filter on it?

You should ask the seller where exactly does it draw in that cold air from??

The K&N filter is subpar at best for filtering though it will flow well. You would be much better off w/ a dry style filter like the Amsoil Ea series and my opinion is that the factory air box flows just fine for the 3.7L w/ a Amsoil Ea series drop in filter for about $45 shipped. Save your money for better mods that will actually show a real performance improvement.
(better muffler, gears, full syn lubes, etc.) You will get a mixed bunch of opinions on here but I think most agree that the stck air box w/ a good filter flows just fine and draws air in from a cooler source than the underhood located air tube intakes that are Hardly "cold-air".

BTW, WELCOME!!!

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:26 pm

I agree with JJ, however I would go one step further and route an air inlet from the grill to the factory box for additional cold air. TJKJ2002 was able to route an air inlet that scooped up cold air from under the ARB front bumper. Once I get a front bumper, I will take a similar approach as TJKJ2002 did. I think most everyone agrees that additional air in addition to the factory air box is the way to go. And of course the AMSOIL drop in is the icing on the cake. It flows good and keeps the dirt out!

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:32 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I agree with JJ, however I would go one step further and route an air inlet from the grill to the factory box for additional cold air. TJKJ2002 was able to route an air inlet that scooped up cold air from under the ARB front bumper. Once I get a front bumper, I will take a similar approach as TJKJ2002 did. I think most everyone agrees that additional air in addition to the factory air box is the way to go. And of course the AMSOIL drop in is the icing on the cake. It flows good and keeps the dirt out!

Agree. The "gutter mod" is on my short list of things to do in the near future to add a little extra cool air to the mix. (so long as I don't think it will hamper my water fording capabilities....you know it rains a lot here in the desert :roll:

)

jeremesh · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:52 am

JJsKJ wrote:

You should ask the seller where exactly does it draw in that cold air from??

The K&N filter is subpar at best for filtering though it will flow well. You would be much better off w/ a dry style filter like the Amsoil Ea series and my opinion is that the factory air box flows just fine for the 3.7L w/ a Amsoil Ea series drop in filter for about $45 shipped. Save your money for better mods that will actually show a real performance improvement.
(better muffler, gears, full syn lubes, etc.) You will get a mixed bunch of opinions on here but I think most agree that the stck air box w/ a good filter flows just fine and draws air in from a cooler source than the underhood located air tube intakes that are Hardly "cold-air".

BTW, WELCOME!!!

That was in my box of questions as well.. the "cold air intakes" pull the air from the engine bay where as the stock scoops it from the front of the hood. Seems to me that the stock intake would provide cooler air. Is it really just the throatier sound and the cooler look under the hood that these things provide. On the K&N site, it gave stats for improved performance at 5400+ RPMs, I almost never go over 2500 rpms so it seems that it would provide no benefit in the way of actual performance, correct?

And thanks for the welcome... been reading for quite a while, just starting to post on here. Love the advice and real world experience of everybody... and the Pics of course.

jeremesh · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:19 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I agree with JJ, however I would go one step further and route an air inlet from the grill to the factory box for additional cold air. TJKJ2002 was able to route an air inlet that scooped up cold air from under the ARB front bumper. Once I get a front bumper, I will take a similar approach as TJKJ2002 did. I think most everyone agrees that additional air in addition to the factory air box is the way to go. And of course the AMSOIL drop in is the icing on the cake. It flows good and keeps the dirt out!

Dont you have to worry about getting water in if you rout the air down to the bumper? What I really want (in no way need of course but since when did that matter) is the snorkel that Ive seen on here. Im still stock for now, just changed my tires to 245 70 16 Firestone Destination ATs.. Money is short so Im hopin that I save up enough in the next year to get me a lift. Would love to have that 6" lift of Jeepin by Al's.. Maybe he needs another stock KJ to test on

I'd drove from maryland to PA for that...

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:35 am

jeremesh wrote:

JJsKJ wrote:

You should ask the seller where exactly does it draw in that cold air from??

The K&N filter is subpar at best for filtering though it will flow well. You would be much better off w/ a dry style filter like the Amsoil Ea series and my opinion is that the factory air box flows just fine for the 3.7L w/ a Amsoil Ea series drop in filter for about $45 shipped. Save your money for better mods that will actually show a real performance improvement.
(better muffler, gears, full syn lubes, etc.) You will get a mixed bunch of opinions on here but I think most agree that the stck air box w/ a good filter flows just fine and draws air in from a cooler source than the underhood located air tube intakes that are Hardly "cold-air".

BTW, WELCOME!!!

That was in my box of questions as well.. the "cold air intakes" pull the air from the engine bay where as the stock scoops it from the front of the hood. Seems to me that the stock intake would provide cooler air. Is it really just the throatier sound and the cooler look under the hood that these things provide. On the K&N site, it gave stats for improved performance at 5400+ RPMs, I almost never go over 2500 rpms so it seems that it would provide no benefit in the way of actual performance, correct?
And thanks for the welcome... been reading for quite a while, just starting to post on here. Love the advice and real world experience of everybody... and the Pics of course.

BINGO!! WINNAH!!

The cost you get for any actual performance gains (MPG or HP) is too high w/ a K&N FIPK setup and IMHO it causes people to drive to the sound it makes which certainly isn't going to help MPG over time at all. The FIPK style intakes on the market that actually shield the air from underhood heat work ok if you can also supply some cool fresh air to the area but it is certainly easier to do the same w/ some minor, simple mods to the stock air box and for cheap. Cool looks underhood that make a "swooshing" sound may make you feel more macho but in the end, is it really worth it? When/if I can relocate the pump for the on-board shower on my Wifes KJ, I will be reinstalling the stock air box w/ a fresh air mod added and call it a day. These days I am more worried about gaining some MPG's than adding any HP at high RPM's. If I had wanted a high performance (big HP) Jeep I would have bought the Hemi Grand Cherokee.

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:42 am

Take it from someone who has used the ebay "Cold air Intake". Don't bother with them, it a piece of crap. Just get a quality drop-in like a Amsoil. You'll wont regret it later. Trust me.

jeremesh · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:17 am

jeepkj02 wrote:

Take it from someone who has used the ebay "Cold air Intake". Don't bother with them, it a piece of crap. Just get a quality drop-in like a Amsoil. You'll wont regret it later. Trust me.

Well that settles that, no cold air intake for me. Now, where I can find a link on this gutter mod that was mentioned?

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:59 am

I believe it's somewhere in the Fabrication section.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:05 am

I am just using 4 inch dryer vent hose , easy to flex where you want it, have it gong into the same spot as the original air inlet when you rev the engine you can actually feel it pulling air into the hose, have it wire tied to the grill opening near the right front headlight works great and yes I tried the K&N with Rustys air tube, my own set up , even enclosed it from the engine bay and stock box still works better

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Here's a link to the original thread on the gutter mod thread.

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=11748

You can take this mod pretty far too, maybe too far.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:46 pm

jeremesh wrote:

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I agree with JJ, however I would go one step further and route an air inlet from the grill to the factory box for additional cold air. TJKJ2002 was able to route an air inlet that scooped up cold air from under the ARB front bumper. Once I get a front bumper, I will take a similar approach as TJKJ2002 did. I think most everyone agrees that additional air in addition to the factory air box is the way to go. And of course the AMSOIL drop in is the icing on the cake. It flows good and keeps the dirt out!

Dont you have to worry about getting water in if you rout the air down to the bumper? What I really want (in no way need of course but since when did that matter) is the snorkel that Ive seen on here. Im still stock for now, just changed my tires to 245 70 16 Firestone Destination ATs.. Money is short so Im hopin that I save up enough in the next year to get me a lift. Would love to have that 6" lift of Jeepin by Al's.. Maybe he needs another stock KJ to test on

I'd drove from maryland to PA for that...

Naturally the water level in a lower air inlet will only rise as high as your standing in. So if you are standing in water up to the factory air intake, then “yes” you’re gonna get some water in the factory air box. If your additional modified air inlet is underwater during a crossing, you still have life support from your factory inlet. And like you said, a snorkel is the way to go for serious water fording. As far as road spray is concerned, you might get some dampness or water spray in your factory box, however the Amsoil air filter uses a nanofiber technology which is not negatively effected by water spray. Water molecules are large in size and will not pass through the filter. Amsoil filters are not paper filters, therefore they will not absorb the moisture either. The open air filters in the engine bay such as the K&N will receive more moisture when splashing through water crossings then your factory filter location will ever get. So don’t worry about water unless you’re fording water that is too deep anyway!

eBay Cold Air Intake

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