Guys,

I love this Jeep, my fourth (XJ, TJ, WJ before), but I'm new to this modification stuff so bear with me please.

My 6-speed JK has under 800 miles on it so far and will serve primarily as a daily driver. I have coming an Airiad CAI, Throttle Body Spacer and and Stage1 Jet Chip. My goal is improved mileage and horsepower, especially in the midrange (highway passing situations).

Two questions:
1) am I on the right track with these mods,
2) do I need to allow the engine a longer break-in period (if so at what point should it be alright to make these changes?


Thanks in advance for sharing your expertise

 

Seems lots of people were interested - 72 at last count - but no one had any definitive thoughts. I was really hoping to tap into the knowledge base of the JK-Forum; it's obvious from reading these threads that many of you know your shi......stuff.

I'm now actually questioning whether I want to add the CAI and TBS. I was parked next to a truck this weekend that as it pulled away made all the noises I have heard attributed to these mods in this forum - only much louder than I had understood them to be. I thought the whistle was something negligible I would learn to appreciate, but it was really loud and -to my ear - quite annoying. Since the guy was driving away when I heard it I didn't have a chance to ask him
what was creating this sound.

Until I can get a better understanding of what to expect from adding these two changes to the engine I think I'll hold off installing them.

 

I added my Jet Chip at 400 miles. Too soon?

BTW, so far, the Jet Chip and relocated exhaust are great together. The exhaust by itself I found was a little too loud.

js.

 

Without any modifications I felt an improvement at around 850 miles. I installed the throttle spacer at 1,200 with very little noticable improvements. I finally got my AEM CAI on Friday and installed it that night and noticed a difference right away. That was with 2,400 miles.

 

Guys,

Thanks for your feedback. I have read JSM's thread about his muffler system quieting down after installing the Jet Chip which is great to know.

Padstack - how about increased noise? Are the TBS and CAI creating a very noticeable whirrrr or whistle? I know some are looking to add more beef to the sound of their vehicle but my Jeep is my daily driver and I am simply in search of improved HP and mileage performance.

 

I get a low "growl" from the CAI when I hit the gas and as I release pressure, in comes the slight whistle. It was annoying, but I just think of it as part of the deal that comes with the CAI and throttle spacer. As I mentioned in the other CAI thread, I just turn up my stereo and the whistle goes away.

I know that the HP has improved and was noticeably immediately. I am more aggressive during the weekends, so I am not sure about improved MPG. This type of driving lowers my MPG from 18 down to 15.5, normally. I re-set the mileage gauge this morning, so we will see.

 

Very helpful feedback. Thank you. I think I'm inclined to install both the CAI and TBS and give them a try.

From reading other post it would seem noise impact differs significantly from one JKers experience to another's. So stark are differences in people's experiences with these mods that I've developed a theory. Form what some of the obviously veteran Jeepers say the sound is caused by the shape of the throttle body itself and only becomes exacerbated when the CAI and TBS are installed making the sound more pronounced. My thought is that DC has multiple OE vendors for the throttle bodies and they are creating slightly different end products within the prescribed tolerances. Some create more whistle than others and those that create more are affected more noticeably by the installation of CIAs and TBSs.

I'm new to this and certainly no mechanic so this is nothing more than a guess.

Of course, the varied responses could also be due to people's attitude toward the added sound/noise - pleasing or horrifying.

 

I called JET support yesterday. They indicated there is no break-in time required for their products. You can plug it in at the showroom and run it fine.
Jeep warranty folks might have a different opinion...

I installed mine last night with 600 miles on hte Odo = no problems so far.