Hey guys, I just recently got a K&N panel filter and was wondering if i would get better flow by cutting a hole in the bottom of the air box. I thought i read about people doing this and wanted to know if its a good idea or if I'm just going to get really hot air.

 

This is my opinion, I have made this mod before upgrading to an open air kit, I think it improves air flow, increases blower whine ( fun but useless) and for basic mods will provide enough air flow, start moving up in the hp, say 450 plus, and I think it becomes a weak link. The tuners are really the best to ask on this as everyone has an opinion.

 

well I did it on my truck. I felt a difference but I am sure that the tuners and everyone that has been doing this longer know more then I do. I guess the hole in the bottom of the box was the first thing that people did before they came out with the cold air intake kits. The only reason I leave mine on is for the stock look. What you can do Is cut a hole in the bottom of the bock for a round hole and run a tube from the box to the front and make a homemade ram air system. I wish I did that instead.

But here is what I did. http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/582696/4

 

I am planning on getting a JLP intake pretty soon so even if it is useless but it makes the whinning louder I'll just do it for the hell of it. Do you have any pictures of where you cut the air box?
Thanks

 

I did the Home Depot ram air mod and still have it on. I cut two holes using a hole saw then bought two wet vac hoses from Home Depot along with a vac head using it as my air scoop. Run the hoses from the box to the bottom of the bumper where the scoop is attached. I attached a piece of window screen mesh between the hose and scoop to catch any road debris. I currently run two hoses and two scoops although this photo shows one.

Bert.

 

What I did was drill 4 - 2 1/4 inch holes in the bottom of the box, super easy, undetectable from the top and I kept the structural integerty of the box.

 

Thanks for the help redlightnin looks like its home depot for tomorrow.

I thought i saw a post you did on how you did everything before...how did you fix the pipe to your airbox because i dont have a heat gun or anything like that.

Thanks

 

To make sure that the tubes do not pop back out just push the tubes through the holes at bottom of air box so that they extend about 1/2" over, then put long screws through hoses from side to side and that's it.

 

I will never understand why people hack up the stock box?

If you buy a truck like this your not into economy or saving money.

You know you want a cold air intake so just buy one and leave the stock box alone.

I promise you that there will come a time when a stock unmolested air box will be worth much more money to a restoration than a new cold air system costs now.

Nothing wrong with a modded L. But for my money I would prefer that the workmanship and money was well spent and it was profesionally done.

Cutting holes in a stock box in an effort to make more noise or power is cheap, cheesy and amateurish.

 

Maybe...

I'd suggest the avg 20 something Gen 2 lightning guy (who just bought it) is stretched financially speaking. Then going out and dropping $300 on a mail order kit is just too tight at first. (been there done that on other cars in the past)

I think that looking for low buck mods is a very valid question. And one that should'nt be looked down upon by those of us that have excess income.

whtLightnin9834, I did this at the track one day and gained a *repeatable* 0.1ET and 1.5mph from doing this so called cheap, cheesy and amateurish modification.

Wonder if I should mention my $14 ram air (trashcan) mod or the $2 boost by-pass mod? Opps... guess I did? Hum... guess that makes me cheap and cheesy? Hum....

Rich

 

Your point is well taken, now that I read it again after applying my preperation H .

My comment was cheap, cheesy and amateurish.

Please take plenty of time before doing things to your air box that are not reversable and have minimal gains.

 

I put a K & N in and I noticed a nice pep in power with the cut air box and a showing of a 2 more psi in boost.

 

I cut a 3 inch hole in my airbox and ran a hose to the front bumper. I don't know if it did anything or not but it can't hurt. Who cares if I runied my stock box? If I don't like it I can always get a CAI.

No one has shown me any proof that a CAI is worth anything more than removing money from my pocket that I could use on better mods. Thanks to Tim Skelton, I dont plan on getting a CAI anytime soon. Granted, if your pushing 425hp (I'm not) you probably need a CAI.

 

Well... technicaly speaking the colder the incoming air the better the rotor fill.

I won't say they are a good "value" for a 5.4L SC motor since the IC will change that temp / aid density. But it certianly WILL maximize what's available to start off with. It all starts somewhere and every little bit helps.

Rich

 

why cut?? just remove the bottom completely, and fasten the air filter to the upper portion of the stock airbox. There are pictures around her somehwere to show this. I had already chopped my air box on my last truck before I saw that. The new truck was upgraded to an Airforce One... no issues there.