drilled airbox improving gas mileage!

[ndhaon91]

i drilled my airbox (my first real mod... pat on the back) the other day with my gas tank half full. i was getting my standard mileage up to that point (150 miles on half a tank). since i made the mod, i have been driving MUCH more aggesively than i normally do, enjoying the improved throttle response. even with the agressive driving, i'm just shy of 300 miles with about 1/8th of tank left. looks like i'll be hitting 20mpg even with very agressive driving. can't wait to see what i get when i drain a whole tank driving in my normal grandmotherly fashion.

btw... i usually average 19.5 mpg mostly city driving.

 

[Garth]

I live in Mount Vernon and I will never get good mileage.

 

[EBInterceptor]

I don't think I'll ever get good gas mileage....as long as I can make it to the next gas station before I run out of gas, that's fine with me!

 

[metstalker]

did the same mod and am very impressed. did you put a k/n filter in there if you havent you should.

 

[ndhaon91]

how much are the drop-in K&N filters? my current air filter looked pretty dirty when i drilled the airbox. maybe i should just get a k&n instead.

 

[metstalker]

it is about 50 dollars
seems like alot but last a long time. all you have to do is clean it every so often with the cleaner that they give you or sell.

 

[Koolhand]

I'm thinking about doing the same thing to my 2002 XLS. How big were the holes and how many. You drilled them in the bottom of the air box, under the filter right? Also going to put a K&N in it. COOL!!!

 

[ndhaon91]

i just used the biggest drill bit i had. when i took the airbox out, i had trouble removing the bushings connecting the box to the sidewall. consequently, i broke off one of the platic arms that attaches to the bushing and it took a huge chunk out of the side of the airbox. worked out to be pretty convenient. otherwise, i just drilled as many holes as i possibly could.

 

[aldive]

Go with a KKM if you want much better results.

 

[GJarrett]

Time to post the link to my airbox mod

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


I finally threw mine away today. I'm going back to the original enclosed one because I am making a snorkel. The drilled one would probably leak a bit too much during stream crossings

 

[Koolhand]

Just finished mine. Did'nt drill as many as the link above shows though. Only about 15 or 20 7/8". Slapped in a K&N and went for a test drive. Engine is a lot more throaty on take off and seems to have a bit more power. Does not blow my shorts off, but hey.

 

[00XLS]

Can I ask what a KKM is ? I know an air filter but made by who?

 

[X~FACTOR]

Apparently it is made by S&B.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85829&highlight=kkm

 

[witchdoctor]

has anybody tried cutting off the whole bottom half of the airbox?

i was thinking to try it, just leaving enough of the bottom half to keep the side mounts and a good frame to hold in my k&n filter.

any suggestions?

 

[olemech]

drilling holes in air box

you have to watch out when you drill holes in air box, if you happen to run in water you can get more water into air tube and can take out your motor. the best way is to to put airsnorkel, and close you the air tube in the fender so no water can come into air cleaner. i know it happened to me.

 

[99redXsport]

i was thinking of just cuting off the bottom also. i f your not going through any rivers or streams any time soon then i think it will be just fine it will be just like the open kkm just a whole lot cheaper.

 

[Koolhand]

Before I did mine and the air box was stock, took it through a car wash. Got home and pulled the hose off going to the intake (to do the mod) and there was water in it. I don't doubt that more water could get in with a swiss cheesed air box. Just have to be careful.