So I was thinking of getting a cold air intake either a k&n or a rough country, for a slight power gain and sound, and was wondering if a CAI can be paired with a throttle body spaced for even more power. And also what brand of CAI would be the best?

 

I'd personally skip both of them. Not much gain for the money unless you get good used parts cheaply.

 

Dont spend money on a throttle body spacer. If you want an actual cold air intake, go with a cowl intake setup

 

Unless your Jeep is carbureted, I'd skip the throttle body spacer.

If you are trying to get a little more horse power out of (I'm assuming a 4.0 XJ) your Jeep, you might want to look at a free flowing exhaust first. For example,
- Headers.
- Cat back performance exhaust of some sorts.
- Depending on the Jeep you have, there might be a more free flowing intake manifold from a newer style Jeep.

If you want to do something in the area of the intake, there is this option.
https://www.bbkperformance.com/jeep-...ody-91-03.html

Expect to spend a decent amount of money, for minimal bolt on performance modifications.

I did the Borla Cat back exhaust. New dual cataltic converters from MagnaFlow, Doug Thorley headers, the BBK 62mm throttle body, 4 fuel injectors, & the factory airbox, with a K&N filter. I can't honestly say I noticed an improvement in performance.

I'd guess the slightly bigger tires (30 inch tires) I've put on my 2001 XJ, canceled out any performance gains I might have gotten.

 

Throttle body spacer is useless, "cold" air intakes are awful hp/$ and won't make much difference in sound. For a true cold air intake, check out doing a cowl intake. I have a Spectre cowl intake on mine and I really like it, although they are no longer in production.

 

I have a k&n intake for sale in the "for sale " section. Comes with the heat barrier. The only good use for the TB spacer is to tap it and inject methanol. Money better spent on a 62mm throttle body and 4/12 hole injectors (which I also sell)

 

I'll 2nd the throttle body and injector upgrade. Made my Jeep feel and run completely different in a good way

 

I don't personally have a cowl intake, but everyone I've talked to about one has said they make a lot of noise. For the guys who have/had a cowl intake, what's the noise level like?

I agree about the throttle body spacer, it's a paperweight. Waste of money.

 

6/10. Its definitely present. I would not want it on a vehicle who's purpose is a quite, comfortable, daily driver which often carries passengers who are expecting a "normal" vehicle experience. With that said, I think it sounds cool. It is loud in the cab for a short time on startup then quiets down. You can very much hear the engine sucking air when you get on the gas. My biggest gripe about the sound is the whistle it makes at just the right throttle position. I often find it whistles when I'm trying to hold a constant speed. I find myself slightly adjusting my throttle position to get the intake vacuum pressure to change so it does not whistle. I've heard of people filing down the end of the intake tube (cowl side) to reduce the whistle. I think a horn shape would help channel the air less turbulently. Anything to get rid of the sharp edge around the intake tube.

 

Keep the stock box and install a good air filter