Gutted My Air Box

Cperki1 · 02-17-2005, 06:15 PM

Was just goofing off under the hood and decided to take a look at the air intake system. First off I must say that I am very pleased with how Nissan set up the airbox. I am not sure that a CAI set up any different from this is even worth the time and money. The OEM setup already pulls 100% of its air from the fenderwell, which anyone will tell you the fenderwell is the BEST place to get it. The only gripe I had was with the tube that feeds into the airbox itself. As it got closer to the bottom of the box, it got narrow, leaving only a tiny bit of room for the incoming air to go. Looked VERY restrictive IMO.

I took my Dremmel and cut the tube in half length wise and opened up the tube completely. Now there is nearly 4 inches of opening as opposed to a 3/4 inch (at best) from which to draw in air. After I put it all back together, it became very apparent why Nissan did it their way. NOISE REDUCTION! Under normal cruising and acceration, there is no difference at all. Open it up, COMPLETE different story. The only sound in the universe that I can compare it to is the sound of a an old school Big Block with a 4 barrel carb. I will do a K&N drop in here in a week or so and see if I have any gains in MPG over what I just did.

JaxTitan · 02-17-2005, 06:23 PM

Send some pics of what you have done.
I am debateing on whether to get the:
* K&N Drop In
* K&N Full intake
* Volant

Does anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of each?

37L1 · 02-17-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaxTitan

Send some pics of what you have done.
I am debateing on whether to get the:
* K&N Drop In
* K&N Full intake
* Volant

Does anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of each?

The Volant operates from a closed air box and uses a cone shaped filter that probably allows more air flow than the stock filter. In addition the Volant has a Ram Air Induction Scoop that can be added on that takes additional cold air from the lower bumper area.

JaxTitan · 02-17-2005, 08:17 PM

is this system much louder?

Armada · 02-17-2005, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cperki1

I took my Dremmel and cut the tube in half length wise and opened up the tube completely. Now there is nearly 4 inches of opening as opposed to a 3/4 inch (at best) from which to draw in air. After I put it all back together, it became very apparent why Nissan did it their way. NOISE REDUCTION! Under normal cruising and acceration, there is no difference at all. Open it up, COMPLETE different story. The only sound in the universe that I can compare it to is the sound of a an old school Big Block with a 4 barrel carb. I will do a K&N drop in here in a week or so and see if I have any gains in MPG over what I just did.

Your mod is a little more extreme than most of us have done. If you want to do a search on "airbox mod" or similar phrase, you will find tons of info on what has become a pretty standard mod that modifies that internal snorkel without completely eliminating it. This improves air flow considerably while still keeping the noise down. I cut the end of the tube back toward the middle of the box, basically removing all if it from the middle on out, and tapered the new end at about a 45 degree angle so it points upward, but left the remainder in place. It does not seem any louder than stock but shoots the air up into the middle of the filter area. Others have done it different ways and some have even posted photos.

I run the drop in K&N and like it. There are a bunch of threads here which also debate that issue with different opinions. Check it all out, make up your own mind and enjoy your truck.