Happy to report that I just did this mod and took the L for a test drive. I gained about .5 to 1.0 pounds of boost with just 10 holes only on the left side of the box (side closest to the engine) The supercharger whines a big louder and the truck seems to pull harder, and earlier. All this while still using the stock filter. Getting the k&n on friday and not expecting much else but hoping for the supercharger to kick in even a bit quicker. For a free mod its one of the best that I've done Anyone else get better results? Should I expect something more with the k&n filter?

 

F'ing great, isn't it??

It feels like ALOT, for a free mod!

The K&N won't make a huge difference, but you'll probably notice it.

 

so what is the trick with this.... how much area should you open up? What about using a hole saw and cut 2 large holes in the bottom of the housing? Any suggestions?

 

Here is what I did.
I bought the bottom part of JL's ram air,which included the scoop and the hose.
I then cut a hole in the bottom of the box just large enough for the hose to fit into snugly.
This gives you the stock airbox look but doesn't allow hot air from the engine into the box.

 

if you do a search theres a ton of info on the subject. I chose to go with many holes so as to still support the air filter without having to drill more holes just for zip ties. You can just cut out 2 big holes, one on each side for the same concept, but to me many little holes was the way to go. I only did about half of the left half (closest to engine) of the air box, gonna do the whole thing on friday when I get the air filter. Hopefully will see a bigger gain.

 

i just cut the whole bottom off even some of the sides. just left the part where it bolts back onto the bracket!

 

Anything thats free HAS TO BE good in my book

 

Not to crush a good thing but...keep in mind that the bottom of the box will take in HOT engine compartment air. The bigger the hole, the more heat that get's in to your intake. Personally, I cut a 2.5" hole in the bottom of my air box, then installed a 2.5" rubber flange, to which I connected a 2" flex hose which runs down to the air opening in front of the intercooler heat exchanger. I got all the parts a Lowe's for about $25.00. ..It lets in plenty of cool air...and...it looks factory fit.

Rich B.

 

I am thinking about doing a similar thing with mine, Rich.

Currently this is what I have:


And it did make a noticable improvement!

 

01Lightning,

The flange I used looks like it would be too small for you. I saw some lightweight alum flanges in the electrical section of Lowe's while I was there, but decided on the rubber flange instead. I think they were sized up to 3.5". Also, heater duct hose may work well for you. I've seen it in 6" lengths available from JC Whitney. Good luck!

Rich B.

 

For quality equipment and fairly good prices do a search for brake duct cooling and you'll find everything you need. Inlet bells and durable hose that fit with the factory look of the stock airbox.

 

Just for fun I did what Stormyday did to my stock box with the K&N flat filter I had before I bought the JL box and cone aircleaner. My truck actually ran a tenth faster at the drags with the stock box modified with the JL cold air flex pipe and scoop below the bumper. I do not have a chip as of this date. I have not put the JL box back in. Future mods will tell.

 

I did something similar to my 98 , K&N and added six hoses to the box to keep the hot engine air out, you can see the top two hoses in the pic.


I would think I would need bigger hoses for more air to the eng. , to make any difference I am thinking about removing the bottom of the box and building a shroud to keep out hot engine air. has anyone removed the bottom of the box?

 

I with you on this one Pumphead. I've played with different intakes all sumer long and bought into the marketing hype. I've since went back to the factory airbox with a K&N flatpanel and 3" cold air hose fed from an inlet bell in the front bumper. To bad the tracks have closed for the season since I would bet my truck is a tad faster now then all those aftermarket set-ups. I'm not seeing any flaws in the factory intake system for a mildly modified setup once a high flow filter and cold air setup is added.

 

amievil,

Heat is a drain on power. The last place you want it is in your intake. A lot of these aftermarket intakes look and sound real cool, with blower whine and all, but all their high flow rate is doing is sucking in more hot air. As time goes on, tuners are offering aftermarket air intake systems that are more shielded and enclosed. Look at JLP. His new improved system is just about fully enclosed! What is this telling us? Don't throw away your factory air box yet!

Rich B.