The Mopar Cold Air Intake system for the Jeep Wrangler is an easy engine upgrade. Mopar claims engine performance upgrades, while I claim only a more pleasant audible growl from the motor at higher RPMs.
The kit includes the intake tube, filter, and mounting hardware. Installation takes one hour and requires basic tools to complete the process.
The kit includes the intake tube, filter, and mounting hardware. Installation takes one hour and requires basic tools to complete the process.
In stock form, the Wrangler air box is designed to provide maximum protection in deep water crossings, short of going to a snorkel system of course. If you regularly cross deep water or are planning to forge a river soon, you may want to maintain the stock system to prevent a case of "hydro lock" (similar to drinking too much beer on Friday night and not being able to remove yourself from the couch until relieving yourself of said beer).
On the other hand, it could be argued that the small air intake of the stock system limits the motor's ability to breath freely, which could limit performance, perhaps...so we will assess the performance element of this upgrade later in this review.
On the other hand, it could be argued that the small air intake of the stock system limits the motor's ability to breath freely, which could limit performance, perhaps...so we will assess the performance element of this upgrade later in this review.
Upside Down in the Dark Installation
The installation process took one hour to complete. Overall, the installation process is easy, however, the mounting of the black metal air box frame required standing on my Warn front bumper in order to get a long reach into the engine bay. Standing on the bumper, the installation of two washers and accompanying nuts needed to be mounted onto bolts coming through the bottom of the black air box mounting frame and then torqued with a ratchet. If you are good at doing things upside down in the dark, then this will be easy. I was able to get both washers and nuts installed the first try without dropping anything.
The end result is this pretty silver pipe and exposed air filter in your engine bay. Your friends will all be amazed.
The end result is this pretty silver pipe and exposed air filter in your engine bay. Your friends will all be amazed.
After installing the Cold Air Intake system, I drove the Jeep 285 miles to Pismo Beach. Overall, fuel economy showed no difference, averaging in the low 17 MPG range. Though, if it's fuel economy you desire, you may want to consider a Prius.
In regards to power, the Mopar Cold Air Intake website states "they [Cold Air Intake] provide noticeable horsepower and torque gains", which I have to disagree with. Even if this system provides an additional 5 horsepower, increasing stock engine power from 285 to 290 horsepower, that is a 1.75% increase, which is insignificant.
If you are looking an easy engine upgrade that will provide an audible performance improvement at 4,000 RPMs and you have extra cash to burn, this is the product for you.
If you are concerned about hydro lock, then maybe this is not for you. So, I will keep my original equipment air box on the garage shelf in case of an anticipated flood in Southern California.
In regards to power, the Mopar Cold Air Intake website states "they [Cold Air Intake] provide noticeable horsepower and torque gains", which I have to disagree with. Even if this system provides an additional 5 horsepower, increasing stock engine power from 285 to 290 horsepower, that is a 1.75% increase, which is insignificant.
If you are looking an easy engine upgrade that will provide an audible performance improvement at 4,000 RPMs and you have extra cash to burn, this is the product for you.
If you are concerned about hydro lock, then maybe this is not for you. So, I will keep my original equipment air box on the garage shelf in case of an anticipated flood in Southern California.
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