Thanks guys.

Open header sounded so mean, but it was obnoxious. When I would crank it up in parking lots it set off car alarms.

As for no back pressure- its hard to explain.... think of flooring it and having literally no power just noise. I'm can brake torque my tires easily, but open header they wouldnt even lose traction. That's how much power was lost.

 

Down here everyone runs open headers, i dont think itd be as bad with a pipe out the back. Hell i set off alarms with my Super 10. and it wasnt too loud just right frequency lol i loved it.

 

Nice build, been looking at the pics you have been posting of Facebook. Wish I could of done this stuff to my Jeep when I got it at 15. But 4 years later, I got a 5" bastard pack lift and a whole bunch of other goodies. Sucks about your headgasket blowing though, I was wondering why you were taking apart your motor.


I might be one of those green XJ's, I've been thinking of joining MSJ for a while now. Just haven't pulled the trigger yet, mostly because the person I mud with most the time has a 95 Z71, but idk, I'll check it out someday.

 

We're having a cruise in tonight in Horn Lake - that's a bit of a drive from Arlington though. If you like, come on down, say hello, get to meet some of us.

There is also a cruise in every week that's close to you, but I think it's on Thursdays. You don't have to be a member to park with us, sit around, talk, etc. and it will give you the opportunity to meet MSJ members. If you go to the MSJ forums and create a free account, you can start talking with us, get info on the cruise ins, etc.

We have a growing contingent of XJ's and will always welcome more! Some of our members don't even have Jeeps- we have toyotas, chevy's, fords, etc.

Won't cost you anything to check us out, and you'll meet some really good people. Hope you can make it!

 

I don't think I'll be able to make the one tonight, I'll probably be helping my friend fix the power steering pump and steering knuckle on his 78 Bronco so we can take it to covington pike either this week are next. (Been working off and on with little money for over a year and its finally running! Felt pretty good to finally drive it... til the steering knuckle broke after about 3 times driving it.)

Well I'm out of College for about 3 months, and unless I get a job (witch I kinda hope I do, lot of stuff I want to do to the Jeep, but I'm broke, plus i need to start paying for gas, the 4.0 with 31" Grabbers doesn't get very good MPG at all.) I'm free pretty much any day of the week. I might have to go to one of them sometime soon. I have an account on MSJ under same username (made it about 6 or so months ago), Just never posted or looked around too much.

Yeah, I saw a couple of Chevy's at a couple of things that 4 Wheel Parts had (Memphis Mud Life 2011 and March Madness 2012). I was there with some friends and we were talking about joining, but nothing really happened after that.

I'll have to see when the next one is and see if my friend in his Z71 wants to check it out with me.

 

time for an update....
ordered the spectra cowl intake cant wait to get it! http://www.quadratec.com/products/17006_7101_07.htm

 

It's safe to say I have never seen one of those as a aftermarket kit. Should be interesting to see how it turns out.

 

same exact thing i said when i saw it! then it went on sale for 150 and had to get it. alot of research and there is no negative feedback on the few people that have them.

its basically-
cold air intake
ram air intake
snorkel
throttle body spacer

all in one. supposedly 15+ hp gains... but im not worried about that... cold air to my engine, less likely for it to hyrdo lock, big*** air box will be gone and i will have an open space in my engine bay.

 

That's pretty good. I have an aFe cold air that I got for free last June from 4 Wheel Parts. If this is anything like my aFe, you will defiantly feel the difference with the engine berthing. I know I'm glad to not have as much engine lag with my 31" as I did with the stock, restricted, air box.

 

Cai would have been MUCH easier.... But my jeep sees alot of mud... And that's just asking to hydro lock it. This is a happy medium between a snorkel and cai.

I cant wait to get it in, I know it's gonna be a huge difference in throttle response and breathing.

Mods up next are hood vents and 3 row radiator.... This baby is gonna be running cool, with cool air and vents. I can't wait.

 

Yeah, If I didn't get my CAI for free, I would probably be getting something like this. My Jeep sees plenty of mud too. and I've done plenty of mudding with my aFe and haven't had any problems. I will be getting a sock to go over the filter soon though since people say that helps with water that would splash on it. Though I might end up getting this if Water becomes a problem in the future.

I've had a 3 row radiator for a while now, pretty much as long as I have had the Jeep. Can't really say if it made any difference than a stock one though because I didn't have my license when it happened so my dad was the one that drove it the most. I know mine has not over heated but that one time before we changed the radiator though, so I guess it helped.

 

I'll be watching to see the install and your initial reactions. I plan on getting one very soon! Don't expect a stainless steel braided hose though, it will most likely be rubber. Spectre recently switched over for some reason...

 

great choice on the spectre kit i have had mine for a while and still love it

 

I actually heard about it from reading your build and ordered one as soon and I got the money! Awesome to hear how much you like it. I can't wait to get this in.

 

Also just a quick few pictures of how the xj sits right now, and a few inteior mods. Its been running great except for overheating a little bit.

To come:
Spectra cowl intake(ordered)
Hood vents(in process)
3 row radiator

Also working on a custom sub box for 2 jl 10" subs I got the other day for free, and rewiring my whole stereo again.