KKM or cutting air box? +/-

[spotted dogs]

Any suggestions as to a better plan....buying the kkm tru rev or cutting/increasing air flow into the air box and going with a k&n filter? The filter will cost me about 65$ cdn while the kkm about 160$ and shipping by the time it gets here. I don't mind so much spending the money if I see results. (the truck is also on extended warranty for another 80k) if that makes a difference.
thanks,
peter

PS
the K&N FIPK is very $$$ up here so that really is not the best option!

 

[Blaine122300]

I've heard good results with both. I have the KKM and I love it. I've never tried the box cutting, but heard it does increase the flow a lot. If it were me, I would go with the KKM and save your old box in case the I.M. inspection requres that it be there. I know in Alaska, your stuff has to be practically stock to pass IM's

Andy

 

[spotted dogs]

i agree about what you said about having things stock...particularly when any warranty work needs to be done and you meet an **** mechanic/inspector. But like I said, I'm looking for alternatives to the stock air box.
thanks,
peter

 

[aldive]

No matter the cuts on a stock air bos, it will never be able to flow as well as an open element filter.

Plus, the KKM system looks so much better .
I am extremely happy with mine.

Good luck…

 

[spotted dogs]

kkm

sounds good...I think you have sold me...I am going into my muffler shop monday for a custom cat back/dynomax super turbo exhaust...so the combination should work pretty well from what i can gather.
peter

 

[Sport (no trac)]

I cut the airbox on my '01 Sport and noticed the improvement immediately, and this is with a stock paper filter. I have a Borla filter (a cast-off from their Powerset) on the way and I expect little to no tangible improvement over the paper filter. Most of the gains on this type of mod, especially when done by itself are at the top end. So, unless you spend most of your time driving the truck at high rpms, save your money and cut the air box and add a high flow filter. The differences between this and the KKM and more expensive Volant and K&N kits are incremental for the majority of driving that you will do. The biggest gain will likely be the intangible: the grin you get when you open the hood and satisfaction of having "KKM" in your signature line.

Think if it this way: KKM $100, K&N/Volant $250, K&N replacement filter $40, cutting the air box $0.

Also, you will retain the option of usinging a paper filter during the winter when there is a lot of sand and salt blowing around, or if you live somewhere sunny, when the place gets dusty. Even the best high flow filters will allow much more dust and fine particles through than a paper filter. For me, this is the main reason I opted to cut the air box instead of getting a Volant or KKM.

 

[rockymntnhi]

Neither

If you plan on goin' offroad alot or in the water and mud , don't do either . I have a stock box and K&N drop in . I offroad alot and the inside of my box is always coverd in dry film of water (mud) and dirt . I thought of chopping up my box before i noticed all that . Could you imagine how much more would get in there with more openings . If you do decide to drill it , I would recommend only drilling the back side and the side facing the fender . my 2 cents , goodluck . PS . I'm sure someone will state that drillig the back/side is pointless , wrong your intake is like a giant vacuum , it will draw air from anywhere it can .

 

[spotted dogs]

there will always be arguments for and against....

Thanks for the input guys... I am finding basically what it all comes down to personal preference (and experiences) when it comes to the mods that can be done.

Basically more than 1/2 of my km's are cruising highway with the control on so when i'm eating up the klicks the idea of eating less fuel is appealing! So maybe a cut box first is the easy way to start then maybe try the KKM?!

I will leave the leadfooting light to light (we only have 3 in town anyway) to the cheeseballs in irocs and firebirds.
peter

 

[ChewieM16]

lucky for us 1st gen exploders, all we have to do is remove the bottom the airbox, and use a couple of zipties to keep the filter in place! whens its off, u can _hear_ a difference!! if i ever have to run in really hot conditions, i just throw the bottom back on.

 

[MikeP]

Spotted Dogs
I cut holes in the stock airbox and used the same stock rectangular air filter in my 91 XLT Explorer and noticed a significant improvement at high engine RPM (i.e. above say 60 mph). Eventually, I installed the KKM induction air filter system and it seems some improvement over the cut holed airbox (but I installed new plugs, plugwires, cleaned fuel injectors, tuneup etc did a couple of days after intalling the KKM). The cutting of the holes in the airbox is a great low-cost improvement - but the KKM is probably better in the long run (as long as one does not get it plugged up with crap splashed up when driving on wet muddy terrain - there must be some sort of a prefilter thing one could put around the KKM filter - sort of like a "sock" - Anyone know if such a prefilter sock is available for the KKM?
Mike in Seattle

 

[jonny 5]

I'm going for the KKM kit

Just my two cents