Well, to help out the OP, you were correct. I just did an APN in my 99 and had to shave down the intake in 3 spots. #1, #5 and #6 ports. They run the pipes nicely off of the manifold to try to reduce future cracking but there just isn't enough room to bend the pipe enough without kinking it. It was a slight pain in the nuts because I didn't have a grinder so I had to test fit it a few times until I got it right using hand files. After driving with a cracked one for so long, you appreciate the power you get back from a solid manifold again. I have new motor mounts in so I'm hoping this brand lasts longer than 2 years this time.

 

It does require some discipline but it does fit. All it takes is about 5 minutes of grinding work under the 6th intake runner and it fits fine. I bought a grinder from pep boys for $24 dollars for this job so you definitely don't need anything heavy duty. Just grind the underside of the last runner, try and fit, and repeat until it slides in.

 

Mine fit fine, no grinding no nothing. A real easy bolt-on.

 

I just installed the APN header on my '99 XJ. The header fits perfect on head, but you do need to do some custom work to get the '99 style intake manifold to clear the header. I filed some material off of the #1 and #6 runners on the intake. Luckily the aluminum is fairly soft and easy to file down with a coarse hand file. I also had to resort to knocking a couple of dents in #5 and $6 header tubes to get everything to clear. The dents aren't very drastic, not enough to affect performance at all (especially considering the huge downpipe dent right after the header), I basically just flattened out the top curve of those tubes a little bit. It took me probably 4 test fits to get it right before I buttoned it all up.

The APN header is very well made. The welds are all nice and the material is beefy. For the price, it's an awesome deal.

 

Sorry for resurrection of an old thread, but I hope someone can help me out here with this APN vs Dorman thing I am working through...

I have a stock '99 XJ (daily driver) with the "new style" intake manifold. I also have a seriously cracked stock exhaust manifold as is common.

I am in the process of ordering new motor and transmission mounts as well as a new exhaust manifold / header. I have been killing myself over the APN vs Dorman debate and wanted to get some experienced advice for my '99.

I like the APN better on paper, but I am concerned with the "grinding and denting" that some have had to do to get it to fit with the '99+ intake. Is there anyone out there that can give some decent detailed info on what exactly has to be ground?

From the many threads I have read it seems the underside of the #1 an #6 runner on the intake manifold (Jeep's part, not the APN header) is most common, with a few reporting that they had to grind down a weld on the #1 tube on the APN header.

Part of me wants to just say screw it and buy the Dorman, but the APN seems like a better product for less $$ which is a rare find.

Thanks in advance!

 

The '99 XJ had the 0630 head throughout production. The 0331 head was inroduced on the '99 Grand Cherokee.

 

And the mid 99 xj

 

?

The 0630 head was used on 1996 thru 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ body, 4.0 liter engine, VIN S, throughout their entire production, not just 'mid 99'.

 

He's probably referring to early 2000 model year production beginnig in late 99. Arbitrary vehicle model years strikes again.

 

I did not mean the cylinder head, which is where the dreaded "0331" problem exists. For this discussion we will call this a cylinder head:


And this the intake manifold:


I have the one on the far right... which was an introduction in the 1999 model year to increase intake volume in order to provide a bump in HP lost due to more stringent emissions.

From what I have been able to gather in research here and other Cherokee forums is that those with a '99 XJ and that intake manifold have had to make modifications to the intake manifold in order to fit the APN header.

What I am hoping one of you XJ veterans... preferably with a '99... can tell me is what modification you had to do.

What I have gathered is that generally there was some aluminum needing to be shaved from the underside of the intake manifold where the #1 and #6 runner where the new APN exhaust tube passes under it. There have also been a few reports of having to shave a bit of the weld at the intersection of the #1 tube into the "Y" joint.

Again, thanks in advance.

 

you are going to have to bolt them both on and see.


It took me 3 trial fits to get the borla and mid 99 intake on and mounted flush. you're going to have to file some of the runners a bit, and probably put a ding or two in the downtubes of the header.

but APN is convinced that it will fit, so I assume it will be minimal.

 

I'm doing this job soon, I have a '96 classic with the 4.0, after many reviews I'll be getting the apn as well, will I have to shave down also?

 

So, anyone have a recent try at the APN install on a 99? I am looking at a header and for the price and the reviews, the APN appears to be it. Some have had to grind, some not.

Anyone done this install lately that would like to chime in?

 

I did not have to grind on mine 2 months ago. I also have a late 99 but I had to get psychical and manhandle mine into place. Tighten start had a vacuum leak loosened wiggled tightened hear a pop then tightend more and it went on . My neighbor put one on his 99 and he had to grind the bottom of the #1 and #6 runner on the intake, then dent the #1 and 6 primary's on the header for it to fit.

 

No grinding needed on the 91-98