I find the stock intake clunky...

So I'm researching options, and I'm wondering why there are few options for anything other than replacement stock style "box" filters on the 3.9L V6.

I see that K&N really only offers the box style for the 3.9L...
I was looking at K&N because this is what I understood to be the 'best', but given that I am a relative NOOB to this sort of thing, I'm wondering if anyone can offer any opinions on other manufacturers, such as Volant, and Airaid which thus far seem to be the only others that offer anything but the stock style "box" intake...

Is there any advantage to having something OTHER than the box style? Is there any disadvantage to the box style, other than it being rather clunky?

Additionally, through my research I've found that people have taken to fabricating their own DIY intake, but I think this can 'cheapen' the look of the vehicle... All things considered, I want the truck to last, and I want it to look good too. So I don't think I want PVC pipe in there anywhere, but are their other options to consider?

Any insight would be helpful.

 

Bump / Addendum:


So, I've been researching this more, and I find that with a Custom setup I can pretty much do anything I want as far as actual Filter type... so long as I have the clearance.

Not to mention having found some decent examples of heat shield design... and tubing options which are more appealing than the notion of PVC pipe. Silicon options are abundant, and if I can find it, some nice steel piping might work but I need the right size... all in due time.

 

The only real bit of real world advice that I can offer is that rememebr when you put in an open air element (cone filter) and you put no shield around it, you will be drawing more hot air in from the motor. Matrix, which is a rather cheap brand offers a cold air intake, which does have an open element air filter but it comes with an aluminum shield as well. Here is the link to the one I found. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRM-10-303/

 

Thanks for the heads up... I've been looking into options for making heat shields... and there are a ton of different options available. Aluminum, Alloy, Stainless Steel... there's insulating mesh tubing etc..

so much at my finger tips when it comes to this. Should be a fun project when I have the cash and some time.

 

Im pretty sure you can get your own tubing from autozone or some place like that. Also ebay has some nice looking cheap ones and a lot of them plastic ones are just like K&N's just without the name. Im going to make my own out of pvc but im going to use rubber couplers instead of pvc elbows it looks much better that way.

 

I got one of the cheapo-depot ones off ebay, and I couldnt be happier. Yes, it does draw in hot air from the engine bay. That's something I am going to remedy pretty soon, just not sure how yet....some type of heat shield is in order, though.

Only cost me like $35 too.

 

i removed the rubber flap by the radiator. not sure if yours has one or not. ive seen people use the bottom portion of the stock filter box and have the new filter resting in there.

 

well mine is more of a mud shield, but i took the box and moved it foward a few inchs to fit around my cone filter. i sprayed the tube and box with ceramic paint to keep it a little cooler. im gonna cut a piece of plexi glass to finish off the top.

if your worried about using pvc, abs pipe is suppose to be safer i just couldn't find any.

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