Now, I have just spent 3 + hours reviewing the DML archives trying to gather data about the differing air intake setups and their merits, and I am still confused!
I will try to summarize things a bit here, and ask for the mechanics here to enlighten my Puerto Rican arse.
FIPK: Filtercharger Injection Performance Kits
eliminate both the air box and the restriction. FIPKs vary in design because
they are application specific meaning each kit is engineered to fit a particular
make, model and year of vehicle.
FIPKs utilize a 360 degree filter design which provides increased
surface area to promote air flow. Port injected engines are outfitted
with a conical shaped filter while centralized fuel injection systems are
sized with an open element cleaner which again, makes available all of
the air the engine can physically use. ( huh?? )
As I understand it, the benefits of open filter element are: less
restriction and much, much cheaper. As far as cool air, many run a home-made
hose up to it. Others, modify their hoods. A drawback for many is that
it can be pretty loud. And, someone stated:
"That reminds me, I found out after driving once off road with the
K&N that
you're supposed to use a pre filter when off road. The mechanic told
me he
cleaned some gunk out of the throttle body, hopefully I didn't cause
too
much damage. If you have a K&N ( open element) and plan on driving
off the pavement, make
sure you do something with it first."
Typically either the 10 or 14 incher is used. The 14 is a tight fit, but apparently for '99 on, it will fit.
" you can use the 14" with a 3" filter. I have just put
one on my '98 yesterday.
It is a very TIGHT fit, but you can do it without damage to the hood.
It's true though that with the stock hood you'd be better off with
a
2-3/4" filter. The 3" filter requires a carriage bolt that rubs against
the hood's insulation liner. It rubs through the 1st layer but never
gets to the metal...."
But does SIZE REALLY MATTER?
The Mandrel web page, which is now no longer running, stated that
for our 5.2 V8, the 10 " was more than enough.
" With the calcs, you'll find that a 10 x
3 paper air cleaner provides almost twice the required area for the V8.
The
oiled gauze provides
even more. "
opinions?
For installation, I came across this:
" I don't know if you've looked yet, but this bracket covers
up about 1/4 of each throttle bore (not good). This bracket is where the
offset comes from in the stock configuration. " and on
and on about removing this and using the homemade S bolt. Is
this bracket removed for the FABM set up?
But:
"The shape of the filter is less important if the application calls for
a remote mounted filter, which
includes many late model fuel injected models. Typically these vehicles
will use a flat panel filter or a
conical or cylindrical shaped filter with a rubber mounting flange designed
to be mounted on the end
of the inlet hose. "
FABM
Fresh Air By Meldrum (K&N FIPK Clone)
Tony DeAnda has a home made set up, that is found at http://www.dakattack.com
. There are many others similar to this, all pretty much follow the path
of the stock set up.
benefits seem to be: quieter, better filtration for off
road use, and gathers cooler air, which is denser.
questions:
Why is the FABM used when it costs 100 more?
Correct me regarding the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Does cool air make THAT much of a difference? enough to get the
Tony set up, or, enough to just bother with removing the radiator rubber
'curtains' and running some hose to the open element filter?
Does one make you lose low end vs. the other?
thanks.
Pedro Diaz
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