AirBox (swiss cheese)?s

[Xplorer92]

I have a '92 Explorer with a 4.0L V6 of course, anyway I have heard that by drilling holes in the air box ("swiss cheese") this will allow it to get more air flow and it will perform better and sound cool, also it will raise the intake which will avoid water from getting into the engine when fording rivers. Sounds like a winner to me! I've decided to give it a try (I went ahead and bought an extra bottom part to the air box from a junkyard just in case I screw up). I'm sure that there is a particular way to do this and before I make an attempt I would like some feedback on the proper way to do this, I mean do I just drill a bunch of holes or do the holes have to be a certain diameter, certain amount, in a certain location, etc. I've never seen pictures nor have I ever read any instructions on the subject, so if any of you Explorer guys know how to do this or have some pics you can post I would certainly appreciate it.
THANK YOU -originally I typed "top part of the airbox" I meant "bottom part of the air box"- Thank you "MONMIX" for bringing that to my attention.
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'92 Explorer XLT 4x4, 3" body lift, 5.5" superlift suspension, Warn manual hubs, 33x12.50 Procomp X-Terrains, New 5 spd. manual tranny, 4 infinity 5x7 speakers w/ amp and 10" sub, going to add 4:10s and lockers, and 35" tires

 

[MONMIX]

well for starters don't drill the top.

The holes MUST be before to the air filter.

 

[Critical_Level2]

When I did mine, I just got the biggest drill bit I could find in the garage and went to town. just make sure to leave the corners somewhat intact for support reasons.

 

[BigBadWimp]

My bit was only like 1/2", maybe less. I'm thinking about going in with a real tiny bit and just going nuts. Also, I don't know what kind of difference it made, but I drilled on sides facing away from the engine, to try and encourage somewhat cooler air. Think that makes any difference?

 

[audiodude332001]

also it will raise the intake which will avoid water from getting into the engine when fording rivers.

How will it 'raise' the intake?

 

[GJarrett]

Try using our search feature, and you'll find this

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16092

Also, the airbox location doesn't change so it doesn't help avoid getting water into the intake; as a matter of fact since there is much freerer flow into the intake the opposite is true. For improved water crosssings a snorkel is needed.

 

[Xplorer92]

If I'm not mistaking the begining of the intake is behind the grill, if you drill holes into the airbox one would think that the air flow would be more likely to enter through those holes in the box under the hood and not behind the grill. Anyway I have concluded that this is a halfass poor way to get better air flow and have decided to just get a KKM intake kit and do it the right way, and if I am really compelled to ford a river I guess I will get a snorkel kit (by the way I'm aware that inorder to cross deep water safely this is required)

Thank you for the feedback and pics

 

[GJarrett]

If I'm not mistaking the begining of the intake is behind the grill, if you drill holes into the airbox one would think that the air flow would be more likely to enter through those holes in the box under the hood and not behind the grill.

Yep, that's exactly the point I just tried to make .... the drilled airbox by definition allows more intake, so if the intake is water during a river crossing you're gonna have a higher probability of hydrolock than with the stock setup.

...Anyway I have concluded that this is a halfass poor way to get better air flow and have decided to just get a KKM intake kit and do it the right way, and if I am really compelled to ford a river I guess I will get a snorkel kit (by the way I'm well aware that inorder to cross deep water safely this is required)

Yes it is halfass and yes it is poor, that's the whole point (you are mixing two totally different subjects - maximum air intake and river crossing ability.... do they make a snorkel kit that hooks up to a KKM; wouldn't that totally negate the advantage of having the KKM?).

If you are not setting up for deepwater crossings, you can spend a measly $5 for a drillbit to do the swisscheese mod and get every advantage of a $$$ intake kit without spending all of that money and stil get the same results.

It's your money, spend the $5 or $100 however you wish to.

 

[Xplorer92]

Yep, that's exactly the point I just tried to make ....
I'm glad I could make your point for you

Yes it is halfass and yes it is poor, that's the whole point (you are mixing two totally different subjects - maximum air intake and river crossing ability.... do they make a snorkel kit that hooks up to a KKM; wouldn't that totally negate the advantage of having the KKM?).
I seriously doubt I'll be crossing water everyday. If I bought a snorkel kit I would only use it occasionally, therefore the KKM intake would be my primary is there some kind of Explorer code that says you can't have both!
If you are not setting up for deepwater crossings, you can spend a measly $5 for a drillbit to do the swisscheese mod and get every advantage of a $$$ intake kit without spending all of that money and stil get the same results.
Yes but the KKM intake is a more uniform way to do this and therefore worth the extra money in my book, but I do agree with you for those who can't afford this it is a better alternativeIt's your money, spend the $5 or $100 however you wish to.

Yepper!!!

I enjoyed this debate and you can be the winner if you want I don't care, by the way I appreciate the info on your swiss cheese thread and loved the pics with the whole shot gun thing that was kickass!

 

[GJarrett]

I don't want to be a "winner" I just want to learn with the rest of us...

....if you can really design a closed snorkel kit/open air intake that can be switched both ways I'll be your very first customer!!!

 

[Xplorer92]

"Where there is a will there is a way"