I just recently bought a 1988 Cherokee Laredo with the 4.0 I-6. I'm wanting to put in a cold air intake to help with a little bit more power and fuel mileage, but every company I know of only makes an intake for '91 and newer. My question is, is there that much of a difference in the engine compartment? Would a CAI made for a '91 still work in a '88? I know the engine itself is the same, but I don't want to drop the $250+ just to find out it doesn't fit

 

There is a huge difference.

You have a Renix Cherokee, the throttle body is completely different.

 

Yep not going to work.

On a good note I have this Hesco kit that I've been meaning to put up for sale if you're interested send me a PM me an offer or look for it in the FS section I'll probably post it up over the weekend.

 

I've got an 88 as well and this annoyed me too. These guys are full of crap. You could easily make one for a non renix work, but that's still expensive. Go to an auto parts store and buy some intake tubing and a filter and a breather its really easy.

 

Like this

 

the second pic shows a diagram of how to connect the .... Him that's just my work schedule I posted on accident.

 

Thats not an XJ specific cold air kit. Thats a generic pod filter sucking hot engine air.

Probably get that from Autozone for $45-$55.

 

But Gee! It's Chrome!!! It must be better!!

 

its not done in that picture, and its not true cold air but it works.

 

x2. without a heat shield you're not really getting any benefit. You can fab up a heat shield out of just about anything, I personally made mine from a roadsign i found.

 

I know this and I am making a heatshield.

 

So if you do what he did and add a heat shield it's a true cold air?

 

So your suggesting the OP go with the $250+ kit I said he should stay away from?

If he really wants a CAI, I suggest he get a cheap generic kit like the one you posted and do some fab work on his own.

I would not spend $250 on a 91+ designed 'CAI'. But thats just me.

 

a cold air intake without heat shielding is not a cold air intake. Its a hot air intake. But I do understand that you do what you gotta do. But if your wanting a true cold air intake and not having to spend a ton of money, why not just do a cowl snorkle? It will serve 2 purposes, it will actually bring in cold air, and you can go a little deeper in water with it. There are plenty of threads on here of people who have done it.

 

Right here. Even with a heat sheild, its still gunna suck in hot air. The inside if the cowl doesnt heat up as much, and your filter is higher up than the stock location.