2000_silver_xj

Is THOR the only professionally made cowl intake setup? It's the only one I could find. Has anyone made their own that looks professionally made? I want a clean look, and am not that good with metal fabrication, nor do I really have all the proper tools to do metal fab.

earsmccoy

I did some looking and ended up ordering the THOR cowl intake. I need the room in the engine bay for an air compressor (front and rear lockers are on the way) and this seemed like the easiest and most cost effective way to do it. I haven't installed it yet but will be soon.

2000_silver_xj

That's the cleanest looking one I can find, and from what I've read the regular cold air kits (that don't divert the air filter to the cowl) don't really do much for performance because they don't really bring in any colder air since the XJ engine compartment is so hot. I don't need the extra room, but want the performance boost if I can get it. Let me know how it works out

BlackXJay

BlackXJay

If you have a hole saw bit for a drill and a hack saw to cut the piping you can make a homebrew intake. Just a matter of buying the right elbows and couplers

BlackXJay

BlackXJay

That's the u bend through the firewall. Also you will need an angle grinder with cut off wheels to open that side of the cowl

00t444e

I wouldn't open that side of the cowl up, it will let water get into the filter easier. With that side covered like it should be the only way it can suck in water is if you have that area almost submerged, you would be in water that's almost over your hood at that point.

BlackXJay

Okay nevermind then. Disregard. But I've driven in heavy rain filter has never been soaked. Alittle rain water isnt going to do anything unless it is submerged. There are drainage points in the cowl. Dont most people reroute the stock box to the open side? I've seen alot of threads on the mod. You can search and find many.

BlackXJay

And p.s. there are pre-filters if you are worried.

00t444e

Rain probably isn't much of an issue, but when your off road and you hit some deep water too fast and it sends a wake over the hood that might be a problem.

BlackXJay

I gotcha. Passenger side cowl covering is also solid, atleast on a non renix. so I'll take my chances. Pretty much the same as covered. Thanks for the opinion. (Not being sarcastic)

awg

I ran a digital thermometer at the mouth of a '96 air inlet for a few weeks in summer to see what the story was.

somewhat surprisingly, I found that once moving at above ~15mph, there was virtually no difference in ambient.

At speeds below 15mph, the temp could vary by 10-30F.

If I use a rule of thumb 10F = 1HP, concluded that "cold air" mods would not be worth the trouble (in my case, it would be a snorkel, eliminates the water ingress issue)

XJlimitedx99

I picked up a Spectre unit second hand on Craigslist. I really like it. Not sure what happened that caused them to be discontinued. I think you can purchase the inline filter housing and still build your own with silicone elbows and tubing.

2000_silver_xj

I said screw it and bought a THOR, I will post pics after the install with my review on gains (if any)