Air Intake System

[diablo5969]

Hey everybody! My name's Chase, and I'm new to the board so I just thought I'd introduce myself first of all. I live in Atlanta, GA, and I'm 16 years old. I have a hand-me-down '94 Explorer XLT from my mom. My parents know I'm into 4 wheeling, so they specifically made a 'no modifications' rule, because they had images of coming home and seeing the Explorer lifted 2 feet. So what that means is that all mods have to be under the hood where they will go unnoticed by the parents. I just got a job, and I was thinking that a good first mod would be to replace the air intake system with something a little better. I've heard a lot of good things about the K&N system, but I haven't really heard anything about any others. If anyone has any information about the intake systems that they could share that'd be great. Thanks!

 

[ChuckyD]

Do a search on the KKM, the majority of the people on this board that have done modications, especially the 91-94 year have replaced the stock intake with that one. Its 100 bucks and takes about 30 mins to install, sound is great and it even give you a few horses.
Welcome and enjoy

 

[tbomb]

first of all, welcome to the site. youll find anything you could ever need to know about your truck here, and soon enough youll be addicted like the rest of us.

now about your intake, check out the KKm tru-rev intake system (www.kurtzkustoms.com) its very popular around here, just like the K&N. personally, i have the KKM on my truck and its awesome - check it out.

 

[diablo5969]

Alright, cool. I've actually never heard of KKM, but since I've already got 2 votes for it, it seems like it's something that might be good. I'm going to look into that. Thanks

 

[leenjen]

a lot of people do prefer the KKM. the address is actually www.kustomz.com

 

[tbomb]

thanks for correcting me lee, i just realized that. heres a direct link to the tru-rev intake:

http://www.Kustomz.com/cat2.html

 

[TarHeel085]

welcome, and like tbomb said, you will be addicted. after 3 months this is my homepage now. im not sure if K&N makes an FIPK for 94 down, but KKM is your best bet. and if you have the time make your own little ram air. if you search for lizardtrac and ram air, u can see pics of his. its a 97, but same concept.

 

[diablo5969]

I checked out the KKM site, that looks like something that's very doable. I had seen somewhere that K&N stopped at '95, so this solves that problem. The KKM looks like something I could very well use. But just out of curiosity, does anyone know of a website or anywhere like that where I can see a comparison of a bunch of different systems? That'd be great

 

[diablo5969]

And just one more question too. I was wondering if anyone out there who has the KKM system had the car dynoed or could just let me know how much horsepower the KKM system gave you. Also, I'm still kind of shopping around for a system, and was wondering if anyone with a system other than KKM had some comments to contribute about their truck. Again, thanks!

 

[RTStork]

Another mod you could do is a computer chip. Superchips and Diablo should have one for your Explorer. Also, would they let you put on a Flowmaster muffler?

 

[Fat Boy]

hey Chase, thanks for making this thread.

i was going to make one myself because im in a similar situation to yours.

i have a 1997 Eddie Bauer with a 5.0 V8...i love this damn ride, greatest car ive ever driven.

luckily, my father owns a used car lot so i have a large selection of cars, but this is by far my favorite.

some cars ive owned are:

1994 Lincoln Mark 8
1997 Jeep Grand Cheoreke TSi
1997 Cadillac STS
1998 Lincoln Navigator

and alas;
1997 Explorer

when i gave up my Explorer for the Navigator i kicked myself for ages and finally went back to my Explorer after about a month, and im happy i did.

now, ive done no mods so far but iam going to start in about 3 weeks or so.

some thing i was thinking about are: (note, it is a 5.0)

-new exaust
-throttle body
-air filter
-intake
-new chip

i would LOVE if one of you could gimmie so hints on which models or what not, or which mix i should do, or if i could do all...please, if anyone has done this to their Explorer id love to hear some feedback.

thanks again and i look foward to contributing to this board.

 

[RTStork]

I have a Flowmaster dual exhaust and I love it. See my pic link in my sig. We already have the 65mm throttle body and its big enough. Some of the Mustang guys have actually lost power when they went to a 70mm. If you are supercharging the 70mm would be worth considering. Some headers would be nice, but I haven't found a set that I liked yet. On the intake, most people choose the KKM. I liked the stock look, so I used a K&N and cut a big square hole in the front of my airbox. This and the exhaust made a big difference. Underdrive pulleys would be great but the only company I found that makes them is JET. I ordered a set and they would not fit. I called JET and they said that was the part number for the Explorer, but the bolt holes were way different. I'll have to wait untill someone else makes a set. For the chips, Superchips and Diablo are popular choices. I don't have one so I'll let someone else talk about them. I'm probably going with a custom built chip from JMS.

 

[diablo5969]

Are the computer chips worth the money to buy? As in, if I only had enough money lying around to buy one mod, would I be pulling in more horsepower with an intake or with a chip? How much power does each one give you? No, my parents wouldn't let me get a Flowmaster muffler for it. All the mods that I do have to be things that aren't easily noticed, and I think a new muffler would kind of blow my cover the first time I drive home with it.

Fat Boy, you're very welcome about starting the thread. Anything to help someone out.

RTStork, this is probably something I should know, but just out of curiosity, what is a throttle body? What are they, and what do they do? Also, what are underdrive pulleys? Gee, I really should know this stuff. Also, what year is your Explorer? I noticed you said you used K&N, but they don't make intakes for '94 or newer, so I was wondering.

Thanks!

 

[RTStork]

A throttle body is the part that is attached to the intake manifold. The throttle cable is attached to it and when you press the gas pedal, the throttle body opens up allowing air into the engine. Underdrive pulleys are simply different size pulleys that slow down the accesories to free up some horsepower. On a 5.0, they tend to free 8 - 10 hp. I have them on my Mustang and they are the best "bang for the buck" at around $70 - $80. My Explorer is a 99 and the K&N filter I got is a direct replacement for the stock filter. It fits in the stock airbox. I cut the hole in the front of the airbox to let in more air. I can get you the K&N part number if you are having trouble finding it.

 

[diablo5969]

Alright, cool. I actually knew what both of those things were, I just didn't know what they were called. Sorry to make you write it all out.

The problem with K&N is that instead of just replacing the stock filter, I want to try to get the whole intake system replaced. The earlist Ex that K&N makes the system for is the '95, which kind of excludes me and my '94. (Another dumb question that I should know the answer too: Is the throttle box part of the intake system, or is it a separate mechanism?) And also, when I looked at the KKM site, it looked like they didn't have a way to replace the whole system. Is that right or did I read it wrong?

 

[RTStork]

Yeah I think the KKM just attaches to the intake hose where the stock airbox hooks up. That's the reason I just cut a hole in my airbox. The K&N FIPK is a compelte system but if you said thewy don't have one for your year, that doesn't help. Try calling K&N or emailing them and see if they have made a kit for yours. Or at least you can find out why they didn't make one. You may end up having to make your own.

 

[YamahaRick]

Diablo, be aware that the KKM air intake system is NOT EPA certified. Since we have to have our vehicles inspected every year for emissions, you may get caught with this "illegal" change.

If you do install a KKM system, just re-install the OEM (original equipment from manufacturer) set up before you go for your inspection, and you should be OK.

 

[diablo5969]

That's a really good idea. I think I will try to contact K&N about that. Thanks. Maybe they'll give me some good information.

And also, I knew that the KKM weren't legal, but I have a couple questions about that. 1) Is it possible to get cited for that on a normal traffic stop, or is that just not done? 2) How easy is it to uninstall and reinstall for the emissions test? And 3) I thought in Georgia we only had to take the emissions test every 2 years, not every 1. Was I mistaken?

Thanks

 

[YamahaRick]

GA Emissions Testing

Your vehicle has to be tested.

Taken from Dead Link Removed

"Which vehicles have to be inspected?

If your vehicle is:

A 1977-1998 model year or newer gasoline-powered car or light truck (up to 8,500 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating) AND you’re a resident of one of the covered counties* AND your vehicle is registered in that county then you need to have it inspected every year.


*Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth,
Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale.

The three most recent model year vehicles are exempt from emission testing each year. For registration in 2001, this includes all 1999 and newer model year vehicles. Additionally, vehicles that are 25 model years or older are exempt from emission testing. This includes 1976 or older model year vehicles."


I would image the KKM system can be easily removed and installed. Perhaps someone here can verify this.

You ~could~ get cited by a roadside stop, but I very seriously doubt you would. But hey, if it happens, don't blame me!

 

[tbomb]

as far as a chip goes, its gonna give you the biggest difference of any single mod that you do; it will by far give you more than the KKM/K&N. i recommend the superchip (thats the one i have.)