Custom Snorkel/Cowl Intake

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Ive been pondering this custom intake/snorkel idea for months and I want to get opinions on this. There are kits available for the Wranglers where the intake goes intake to cowl in front of the windshield, drawing cold air like a cowl induction hood from the muscle cars. Ive looked into it and doesnt seem like its that hard of a mod to do with minor modifications like piping and cutting into the first layer of sheet metal. If you look at this kit http://www.quadratec.com/products/17006_7000_07.htm it does exactly what Im talking about and the filter is within the intake tube and thats certainly an option and it appears there is enough room to put a filter in the cowl under the wipers. This will act almost like a snorkel on hummers but not visible which is why I want to do it, Im not a fan of the snorkel look in XKs, with Adams being exception. Being that I have a K&N CAI which is actually a hot air intake drawing the hot air from under the hood whereas a cowl intake or snorkel is a true cold air intake, drawing outside colder air in this may be to an advantage performance wise, although thats not my main concern. My set up I have now even with the modifications I made, hydrolocking is a major concern for me. So Im looking for advise, suggestions, input on whether this is worth giving a shot to try out.. Description with pics:

I want to take this idea:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/136199add1lg-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/136199add4lg-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/notfound.png

Or one like this, kind of ugly:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/107-1.jpg

And do that on the passenger side here:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/20130315_094131_zpse977bc88-1.jpg?t=1363355295
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/03/20130315_094138_zps0801a1e5-1.jpg?t=1363355295

What Id do here is move the coolant reservoir forward in stock intake location and run the intake tube back into that corner. Couple of concerns are what about during heavy rains is that an issue? Will there be a drop in performance? Would this even work right!?!!?

[hoaxci5]

My XJ has a ghetto dryer vent version of this mod.. I plan to clean it up someday since I'm sure it isn't watertight but it seems to function fine.

I say go for it, someone has to pioneer these mods :p

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Thanks for the inspiration!! Im not looking to go through lakes or rivers just better protection from what I have now while still getting that CAI advantages..

[lekmedm]

The "what happens in [a heavy] rain" issue would make me nervous, but I would think there are solutions for that.

Kudos for thinking of new stuff!

[jjt250]

What about in the winter and it gets icy up there? Wouldn't that block air flow? Or when it melts, could that be a concern? I like the idea a lot though I'd just want answers to those questions. I've been wanting to built a custom CAI for my CRD but that might be a better, more functional solution.

[07JeepXK]

Iran across a website selling the airflow snorkel for under $400

[06JeepXKHEMI]

Adam, IM NOT RUNNING A SNORKEL!!!!!!! HAHAHA Im not worried about the ice of anything, that'd be a lot to block the whole cowl no to mention the air coming from sides and underneath.. If you pull that plastic piece by the windshield you'll see the area Im talking about. In addition, Im sensing a transition to North Carolina always wanted to live there and even if I did stay throw another winter my XK is garage kept, ice and snow building up in that spot is a rare occurence

[07JeepXK]

Haha I know I was just messing with you

[pjmjr508]

will be following this thread. Not a fan of a snorkel look for the XK either.

[criket]

Adam, IM NOT RUNNING A SNORKEL!!!!!!! HAHAHA Im not worried about the ice of anything, that'd be a lot to block the whole cowl no to mention the air coming from sides and underneath.. If you pull that plastic piece by the windshield you'll see the area Im talking about. In addition, Im sensing a transition to North Carolina always wanted to live there and even if I did stay throw another winter my XK is garage kept, ice and snow building up in that spot is a rare occurence

Come on down to North Carolina man! We'll go wheeling and fab you up a custom intake.

Be careful running the intake through the firewall. Guys with buggy's do it and they say that it's very noisy (sucking in air/whistling or whatever you wanna call it)

[06JeepXKHEMI]

I'm really thinking NC is where I'm going to end up love it there!

Ive got all types of questions and concerns but house definitely isn't one, Let's be honest I've got true duals with headers on their way and MTRs which are proving to be a loud around town all of which I don't mind.. I'll be tackling this soon

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