AIR INTAKE KITS

mcali17 · June 10, 2003

Now that I have the Borla Dual Exhaust, I am considering intakes. Have to breathe better on both ends.

CGS, Volant, Airaid, K&N, and Air Max all make intakes. I like the looks and claimed gains of the Volant and K&N, but think they might be too loud becuase they call for remvoing the intake resonator on the 4.2L, plus the K&N does not have CARB approval yet.

I like the Air Max, because of the claimed gains,the fact that the element has a powder coated heat shield, the resonator stays and the CARB approval. I don't like the orange powder coat very much though.

CGS didn't impress me and no CARB approval.

And right now leading my list is the Airaid intake and throttle body spacer. Anyone used one of these spacers before? The combination leads the pack in claimed hp and torque gains, the resonator stays, has CARB approval and looks good. And the price for both is similar to the Volant intake, about $25 more.

So, now I am putting it to you guys. What do you think? What are you using? What can you tell me from experience. Intakes, Noise Levels, Spacers. So many choices.

I have past experience with a K&N FIPK II on my '96 Jimmy and liked the power increase, but I have read that on the it is really unbearably loud without the intake resonator on the Triplets.

Help me decide.

greyghost03 · June 10, 2003

I went with the UPD (NSV) but I just checked their site and they don't make one for the 4.2L. My second choice would have been the K&N FIPK. You really do need to lose those baffles to get better airflow and with the Borla exhaust on I don't think you will be able to hear the increased engine noise over the exhaust no matter which intake you decide to go with IMHO.

I did notice some increased engine noise but only when I am standing outside the vehicle- which, usually, I am not. I really didn't notice increased noise level in the cab- remember I have the Flowmaster (LOUD)