I was thinking, and this particular air intake costs about 140 bucks, branded as a cold air intake from k&n.



So, my thoughts are to take the original air filter, which basically looks just like that one, but has the full enclosure. I firmly believe that I can just fab my current enclosure for the filter (cut off the exterior walls so there is just the top and bottom covers) to expose the side of the filter just like the one above. Does anyone see any issue with doing this? I think it would be a super cheap and easy mod and save a bunch of cash at the same time. Any input is appreciated

 

If you do that, get a bigger filter than stock. I think the stock one is only like 10" in diameter. Once you cut off the sides, get a 14" filter that should fill out the enclosure. Or you can go to any Checker/Autozone/Advance/PepBoys store and get one of their set ups that only run $20-$50 depending on style.

 

mine has a cold air hose that came from the factory it is weird looking thing ill post pics tomorow of it

 

Technically by name the above air filter is not a cold air intake. It is an open filter intake system.

The open air will take the Hot/Warm air that is under the hood.
A cold air intake is one that takes Cooler air from outside the hood.

Stock air intake system is already a Ram air/ Cold air intake system. And it is not that restrictive at all, so it is a good system already.

Yes cutting the bottom and top air filter pans can work to make the stock system into an open air filter designed. Like said above stock filter is 10in round. If you do it get a performance filter. You can buy a K&N filter that size too, which will fit under the stock enclosure.

Or you can buy a K&N filter 14in round just like the pic. Which will improve more air flow then the 10in.

Like said above you can get the $20 autozone special, they are still better then stock.

Here is mine. It's a 14in K&N with X-Ram top (Top air filter).

You can also by the summit filter setups for cheep at www.summitracing.com

 

Go to the junk yard and find an air intake system off a Grand Cherokee that has a v8. There's ways of modifying them for our truck. I've seen it done but no pics. And I have to say that it performs well and looks stock...Enough.

 

wouldnt puttin the 14 in on kinda deplete power, being as how its just open in the engine bay isnt it going to breath in just the hot air of the bay? I know that my engine feels like its a little hot after driving, so im plannin on puttin in a colder thermostat. i was plannin on just gettin the 10 in and fabbin some pvc piping up for the stock ram air typ setup so that its one smooth airflow.

 

I wouldn't recommend putting in a cooler t-stat on a stock truck. An engine with fuel injection should have a 195 degree unless otherwise specified.

And either way you look at it. As you drive you're gonna be getting the cooler air from the front. But when you stop you'll get some heat.

 

Yeah, an open filter is most useful when you have a functional hood scoop sitting over it!

And like said above, that K&N is only expensive because its K&N... you can peice your own together that will be just as good for less than $50.

 

I have to disagree with both those points. I have a 180 deg thermostat in my truck and it runs great. The 180 degree is a very highly recommended temp for our engines. The reason you shouldn't go too cold is at some point the engine won't get hot enough for the computer to switch loops. But that happens for us cooler than 180, so 180 is safe.

And have you ever put your hand behind the radiator with the fan running? While you drive, all that cool air coming in from the outside is instantly heated by the radiator... thats how the cooling system works. So most of the air coming into the engine bay will be hot air.

 

I myself try to stay away from the K&N. There was a write up that stated the K&N's cause more damage to an engine then a stock paper filter. And stated that all they allow is a minimal gain of 2-5 HP at high RPM's. And in my book, I don't drive and my computer won't allow me to run 4000+ RPM's like most K&N filters see the HP gain. So whats the point in even using them?