AEM Brute Force Intake
The AEM kit is one of the few that included a Carb exemption sticker. For '05 and '06, Jeep added an air sensor to the intake air stream. So, intake kits for those years need to have an additional hole in the tube. AEM includes the hole and a block-off grommet to plug it if you've got an earlier Jeep. however, on our kit, we felt the plug was too loose, as it wiggled in the hole after it was installed. So, we Rtv'd it in place.
Msrp: $362.71
Install 1-10: 8
Filtering Element: Synthetic Dry filter
Average Peak Torque: 198.4 Lb-Ft
Average Peak Horsepower: 155.1 Hp
Pros:
no oiling needed-easy cleaning in a bucket of water or smacking on a bumper
among the best filtration of aftermarket conical filters
all parts needed for install were included, with extras to boot
Cons:
With the throttle body spacer, it can be more difficult to install than some others
halfhearted attempt at separating ambient engine air from the intake (the area between the under hood fuse box and the filter is largely open
we'd stain the bright-white filter on the first off road trip we took.
No Intake Or Filter
Just to see, we then removed everything. Sure, we gained 4 hp and 8 lb-ft, but the first time we drove the Jeep on the road we were likely to kill the engine. Also, as you'll see, most of the intake kits made better power than we did with just the bare throttle body.
Msrp: -$27.00 + shipping (what we could sell it for on ebay)
Install 1-10: 10 (maybe the easiest one to put on the Jeep)
Filtering Element: None whatsoever
Average Peak Torque: 192.3 Lb-Ft
Average Peak Horsepower: 150.1 Hp
Pros:
installs great
unclutters engine compartment
we proved some kind of tube is needed for best power
Cons:
No filter means lack of engine longevity
very easy for water to get into the Engine
manifold burritos will be sucked into the engine
Airaid Cool Air Dam Intake System
Once again, we had problems with the winch cables and the cold-air metal housing. also, the metal housing comes as two parts. Ours was slightly bent, and we had a heck of a time getting the tiny screws in place with our big, meat-hook hands. Once we got the cold-air setup dialed in, we were fine. The opening for the air filter is huge-about 5 inches-and has a nice gradual taper down to the size of the throttle body opening.
Msrp: $399.82
Install 1-10: 6
Filtering Element: Cotton Gauze
Average Peak Torque: 200.9 Lb-Ft
Average Peak Horsepower: 154.0 Hp
Pros:
Gradual taper on intake tube
Good power numbers
unique design has filter bolting to coldair mount on one side, and tube to the other. Tube doesn't actually bolt to filter.
Cons:
Child-sized screws for cold-air housing
requires removal of valve cover bolt for a brace
requires removal of underhood fuse block, fuse block bolt, radiator bolt-in rust areas, this could be a problem.
Banks Ram Air Intake System
The unique plastic housing gives us high hopes for keeping water and junk thrown by the fan out of the filter. The kit installed like a dream with all holes lining up the way they should. It has nice hose clamps for the intake that prevent pinching, but for the pCV, the kit has the hardto- handle spring-style clamps.
Msrp: $443.33
Install 1-10: 10
Filtering Element: Cotton Gauze
Average Peak Torque: 197.2 Lb-Ft
Average Peak Horsepower: 152.7 Hp
Pros:
Dirt repelling housing l
Large diameter intake tube with smooth curves and no rough edges
Nice silicone couplers
Cons:
Reuse of factory bolts required (could be a problem in rust areas)
Wear eye protection when installing clamps for pCV hose
No drain in unique housing could lead to pooling of water around air filter