I want to do a cowl snorkel but it's my daily driver and what happens in the rain or snow?

 

I have had the cowl snorkel in my XJ now for over a year. I used the factory air box and 3" pipe connected to the drivers side cowl. It has had a foot of snow on it and countless down pours of rain and had no problems with water. You do have to remove all snow and ice from the top of the cowl for air but You have to do that anyway for the window washers and wipers.

 

Another vote for the cowl snorkel, custom being how I did mine and would definitely be the cheaper option. The Spectre cowl system is better looking by a long shot though.

 

Pictures of yours?

 

I really didn't care what it looked like. I was looking for function not looks. Cold air intake and less chance of water splashing into air box with all the water crossings we do. I will post up some pics tomorrow. If you search for cowl intake you will see some great pics.

 

I did the cheap version an have had zero trouble with water getting to the airbox. Driven and sat through crazy downpours, not a drop gets to the filter. Honestly, I've never had water over the hood so I can't speak to that... but they are right, so much more trouble than hydrolock at that point.

 

That is exactly how I did mine.

 

Did mine extra cheap, 2' piece of 3" exhaust pipe and as cheap of a filter as I could get that fit in the cowl area.

 

Question. What's the benefit of running the filter that y'all locate in the cowl, threw a tube into the stock airbox. Why can't you just eliminate air box nd run the filter from the cowl, straight into the the throttle body. Or the factory TB tube? Seems like its would be a more direct airflow and 1 less step in making the cowl intake...but I'm just asking. Cause I have no idea. I plan for a snorkel, cause I like the way they look plus the function of them. But I might go cowl instead

 

Wat. In the post above yours the filter is in the cowl. In the spectre, the filter is in the tube in the engine bay. In the home made cowls utilizing the stock airbox, the original hole for air is sealed and a new one is placed in the back running to the cowl, effectively moving where the box draws its air from.

 

Most like the "close to stock" look and function of it. Along with the stock airbox giving that extra little bit of protection should the water go over the hood..

I personally did the cowl snorkel with a stock Tj intake tube http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/c...j/DSC08609.jpg Not my jeep, but the intake was done the exact same way.. I felt a loss of power to be honest (which is easy for me to notice having a 4 banger)

IF you decide to put the filter inside the cowl, make sure to NOT get a spectre filter, as they are too big around (ask me how i know) Go ahead and get a K&N. Also get the filter with the cone in the end as well, as it'll help with airflow. Lastly, do not and i repeat, DO NOT cut your cowl over the hvac unless you want water in your floors every time it rains (once again, ask me how i know)

 

Ahhhhh, I know how the specter works..it was the home made ones that where throwing me off...I thoughts they there running a filter in the cowl, throght the tube, and into the stock box then to the Tb.....didn't realize the tube to the fire wall was strictly jus for drawing air. To the stock box..I got it now

 

Lol...appreciate the advise..and the clarification

 

I agree that a snorkel is not something that I will really ever need. However it is cheap insurance. In the event that I do have to cross some deep water I want to be able to without worrying about it. The cowl style seems decent.

 

As for the guy who said you "never need a snorkel, ever!", I'm not sure where he's been 4 wheeling, but I've come close to having water over my hood several times, and just last week I hit a deeper section than I realized , sucked water & stalled. Interior had 2" water , pulled all plugs & turned her over till all water was out (light mist shot out), cleaned plugs and fired her up (oil was crytsal clear), also had to replace TPS & IPS @ $70 ea, ripped out all lower interior & seats, PW'd carpet, reinstalled same in great shape.
Lesson learned:
1. always know or have a good idea of depth of water BEFORE entering same. We almost always have a big lifted jeep go as the depth finder 1st
2. Way the cost.
It's WAY WAY cheaper, and far less a pain in the **** to install some type of reliable, inexpensive snorkel, then to have what happened to me, happen to you. And I was fortunate that I knew what to due to save my engine & interior, not to mention getting a pull out of the whole I was stuck in back to my house 5 miles away in the dark!
3. water proof all your electronic connections in your engine bay before you enter the water, it can save you from stalling and/or damaging components.

As for me, I said F##k it, I'm going with an ebay snorkel kit since it draws from my roof line, no way she's sucking water again! And it was only $85 shipped to my door, looks really nice and sturdy too, I'll update when I install same.

Only bummer is, my 99 has the washer bottle in the fender well, so I have to do a relocate, just not sure if I have to remove the fender or pull out the bottle from below?

BTW, To all the guys posting their cool and inventive ideas on snorkels, big props to you! I simply chose the amazon option, but I am truly impressed with some of the creative and inexpensive ways for us every day guys to be able to afford to mod our rigs, thanks for sharing!!!