On the left
is the stock TJ 4.0L setup. Notice several things. First, there
is a double bend at the throttle body (top, right) and at the
intake "trumpet" (bottom, left) there is a small-diameter
opening and another bend. Can you say restrictive air-flow? |
Here is a
completed K&N FIPK setup. Notice that the intake tube is
about as straight as can be. All bends are subtle angles to
eliminate bottle-necking of the air-flow. Then, of course, the
open air filter on the end means air, air, air! |
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The K&N
FIPK kit comes with everything you need including the tube,
filter, hardware, baffle, weather stripping, adapter, and even
a recharge kit. |
Regardless
of what setup you have, the first step is to remove everything
up to the throttle body. While you're at it, clean that throttle
body! |
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| The
biggest difference between our own modification and K&N's
FIPK is placement of the air filter. For a motor to perform
best, you want cooler air at the throttle body. Our modification
does, in fact, feed more air to the throttle body, but because
the filter is sitting where it is, it is sucking hot air. The
FIPK relocates the air filter up front, behind the headlight,
where the original air filter box was. Why do you think Jeep
put it there in the first place? In addition to the placement
of the filter, the FIPK uses a baffle that acts as a heat shield.
This is a very important difference and is worth the price of
admission, because you now have clean, cool(er) air coming in.
Stay tuned! |
You have
to put weather stripping on the baffle yourself. |
Yes, it really
does take a bit of strength and dexterity to bend it. It has
metal inside. |
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Have a strong
cutting implement handy. The only way you'll get around some
of the corners is to cut the metal and then slide the stripping
in place. |
Now complete,
the baffle is good to go. It was a lot of work but the weather
stripping is now installed. |
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The baffle
attaches on top of the fender flare and also to the mounting
flange on the radiator. You have to assemble a simple bracket
prior to installation. |
The first
mounting position, on top of the fender, is quite simple and
uses a stock hole, so no drilling is required. (View from underneath) |
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The top view
of the fender mount shows that it's basically a shock-absorbing
bushing. |
The second
mounting attachment goes to the radiator and also uses an existing
hole. |
