SO I got a killer deal on one of these units and decided to go ahead and install it. I have installed many a intakes on numerous jeeps. I have always been weary of the cheaper made aluminum intake types but the RR does include a partitioned filter housing to block of engine heat and a oil less dry filter. Pretty cool.
The package arrived with cheap bubble wrap and ZERO instructions! The install is very straight forward and the instructions are online but no instructions kinda got under my skin. For someone doing this the very first time that is uncalled for. Anyways, it comes with filter, aluminum pipe, silicon adapter to go from throttle body to pipe, heat shield and some other fittings.
http://www.ruggedridgeoffroad.com/jeep-intakes.php
So I took of the stock intake equipment and went to work. The heat shield installs with one bolt from the radiator support, a bolt nut and washer through one of the previous stock air filter box holes and a ZIP TIE TO THE GRILL SUPPORT. AH! Poor execution. There are about a million ways which are all better to connect to that rod but RR skimped out - put a tab with a hole and threw in a zip tie to save money?! I guess ?! ... Kind of weak considering the kit is about 165 $ . Anyways, the heatshield seals against hood with a weather strip very well and the heat shield fit great. Very stout and fit perfect.
The pipe fit where it was supposed to but the connecting tab on the pipe the bolts to a rubber stud included in the kit was about 2 inches short. Granted it is not going anywhere but that kinda made me mad again. The silicon adapter that hooks up to the throttle body does not flex too well so there was not much room to push it over. So, in RR fashion I zip tied the AL tube again to the grill support rod and it fits great/ is mounted solid. I also had a new AEM dry flow filter that I used instead of the supplied no name dry flow filter. I have used these on all my vehicles and they rock! Zero maintenance and clean like if not better than an oiled filter. After that I buttoned up the supplied cover vent breather tube and screwed down all the clamps and took her for a test drive.
My Personal Opinions After Test Drive.
Idle still smooth - no change.
Slight Increase in Acceleration through out the gear range.
LOUD - not whistle but roaring... 1st gear ok but 2 - 3 - 4 are loud. You can hear the air getting sucked through - the AEM do have that quality but this was way louder than my XJ's with 4.0. I am not sure I like this. The 2.5 4 banger is my DD so I am going to drive it for a month and check back in. I have currently stock exhaust --> going to hi flow magnaflow cat and 4wd 2.5 turbo cat back. I know this will help the motor breathe. My decrease noise from engine. maybe.
other than that it was pretty painless. the tube running across the motor might get a heat wrap since it is so exposed. I am adding a 4.0 bored TB so that might effect air sound as well. Most people think intakes on TJ's do not do much but i am going to try this guy out for a bit. I had stock intake with paper filter and the design is way less restrictive.
Pics to come shorty!!
