Rcaggiano

Ok. So I want to run dual optimas in my 2000 XJ. I know how to do it and everything, but was wondering if anyone had input of second batterie tray location, or if a voltage monitor is necessary? Any ideas or tips would be much appreciated. Thanks

andrewmp6

If you run a cowl intake you can put the 2nd battery where the factory air filter box is at now.And you can buy a kit like this http://www.quadratec.com/products/17...FRMbaQod3r0AFA

Fred/N0AZZ

This is the best way to go and what I should have done instead of mounting it in the cargo area in mine and still may change it one of these days.

Rcaggiano

Alright cool. Is the cowl hood a must???

thatXJguy

andrewmp6

You need a cowl intake not hood,The reason you need a cowl intake is the 2nd battery takes the place where the stock intake is at.A cowl intake looks like this http://www.quadratec.com/products/17...FQoFaQod90kAyQ http://shop.trailheadoffroad.ihostne...ctid=XJCI91-01

Rcaggiano

Ah okay. I miss read about the cowl. I do that a lot. Has anyone had any problems with the cowl intake?

extrashaky

The only real drawback is that because it takes its air from the protected area of the cowl on the passenger side where the intake for the cabin vent system is, you get intake noise and sucking air sounds transmitted into the cabin at higher throttle. Some people like it. I like to think that it's the sound of money being sucked out of my wallet.

You also have to be willing to drill a 3" hole in your firewall. That's not a big deal, but a 3" hole saw and mandrel will run you another $15 to $20 if you don't already have one.

To me, the advantages are worth it. The stock intake pulls air from that big black airbox on the driver's side. By using a cowl intake, you can remove the stock airbox. That leaves a nice battery-sized space that the kit linked above uses for the second battery. You also get real cold air into the intake. Most other so-called cold air intakes take hot air from under the hood and are really no better than the stock airbox. And you're also raising the height of your intake, giving you more water clearance.

You can make your own cowl intake, but there are two decent options available:

Spectre

Trail Head Off Road (THOR)

The Thor looks better, is more expensive, and puts the filter inside the cowl itself. The Spectre doesn't look as nice but has the filter in a more accessible space. It's also cheaper, especially if you buy it from Advance Auto with a coupon code. What makes the Spectre look kind of stupid are the welded elbows, which I'm planning to replace with smooth silicone elbows from Silicone Intakes.

Rcaggiano

Okay cool. I'll probably go with Thor. They give you a cool sticker haha. Can never go wrong with stickers. Plus I don't like the welded elbows either. Thanks everyone

andrewmp6

And the cowl intake will work like a snorkel with out having one on the side of your jeep.A real snorkel will go deeper in water but there is a point a xj will float so that shouldn't matter.

Rcaggiano

Hahaha. This is true. I rather float the sink