I read just about everything I could about this swap and settled on doing it. I swapped in the intake from a 00 grand cherokee, K&N cold air intake, rustys throttle body spacer, APN Header, Napa head pipe, Magnaflow Cat, rustys cat back exhaust with the Cherry Bomb muffler option.

I ran into one problem, nothing major, I had to slightly dent the header runner closest to the cab in order the allow the new intake manifold the fit tight to the head(i expected this).

I was very pleased with the sound of the set up, I reset the IAC and a few other sensors to speed up the process of the computer learning the new parts. for about the first 5 mins it wouldn't idle unless I gave it some gas. after that it everything fell right into place and she purred like a kitten. So I set out to test drive it.

I was very surprised to find out I must have installed a turbo, I mean it sounded like I had. The rustys throttle body spacer made a god awful sound that had every import lover looking my way under acceleration. Not only did it sound bad but I had lost power not gained.

I went back to the shop to to remove the spacer and retest. Next test was much better, no more turbo sound and it definitely gained low end torque, highway power and better throttle response. The spacer came the with the exhaust package so im not mad at its performance but I think with the intake and header and high flow exhaust upgrade the spacer was a bit to much.

So my final opinion is that it was a worthy upgrade seeing that the intake manifold was only $35 and I had to remove it to do the header anyways. There is alot of back and forth over this swap on the forums. I think that it worked good for me because of the exhaust/header upgrade was done at the same time.

any questions

pics and video below




video

 

I like it!! Also whats that yellow car in the end of the video? You should pimp that thing out!!!!

 

I was just curious, as I'm gonna do this too, did you upgrade the injectors and the fuel reg, leave them '97, or did you use the ones that came with the intake? I lucked out and got a 99 with 99 injectors. I'm just waiting on down time and an adjustable regulator as listed in the site below:

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoIntakeManifold1.htm

(includes a before/after dyno of just the intake and injector upgrade)

He also addresses the throttle body spacer. It sounds like there's either something wrong with the spacer or a vac leak with it, as it shouldn't decrease power as far as I know, it just won't add as much as the intake. He did all the whys and hows too, as well as boring over the throttle body, and I may try this as I have an extra that came with the intake.

How much was that header?

(edit) looking bad through the pics, I was wondering what that **** on the side of the KN, is it a cap? I've never looked at them much before. Also, I didn't see a regulator on the fuel rail, did they get rid of them after '96?

 

I have read that link in my research on this swap there's some good stuff on there but changing over the injectors isn't necessary same with the reg. I am a ASE Mech of 2 years and dont know it all buy any means so I asked alot of the older guys at work about the fuel injectors and they all said to stay with the stock unless I was going to put a 2000 computer in it or get the head replaced/built up.

About the throttle body spacer. I have no vac leak and had it installed correctly, it is just not needed. I have read a lot on line about scientist's testing them and they all say pretty much the same thing, little to no gain. Plus you have to deal with that annoying turbo noise. In my opinion it was too much for my set up it slowed the velocity of the air coming into the engine with created a lose of power at low end. If you upgrade to the 99+ style intake and have a cold air setup that is more than a ample air supply.

the header was 158 shipped to my door

 

Its my neighbors 67(?) olds 442. I already tried to buy it when we moved in but he claims he is going to restore it but buy the looks of how far it is sunk into the driveway he has either no ambition or no $

 

Not sure I'd consider that a "cold air intake" since its drawing hot air from inside the engine compartment. CIAs typically draw from inside the fender.

 

you are correct but as far as trying to explain the part most people know it as that. I am making a shield out of aluminum to separate that area. With that said I had the scanner hooked up pre mod to look at everything and get a base line idea of temps, fuel trims etc. and the intake air temp is 3 degrees colder with the new setup verses the old one so technically it is a colder than stock air intake.

 

I have a similar filter on my mustang and I did the same thing, made a divider to block it from the engine, I used a plexiglass type of material.