'97 3.0 wtf???

[73stallion]

Don't mean to whine here, but why is it hardly anybody sells aftermarket parts for the '97? There's no aftermarket intake available, only drop in filters. There's no headers available, the EGR tube is the wrong configuration. I've already got a K&N filter, Accel coil pack, Magnaflow cat back and AFE underdrive pulley, but I'd like to try and squeeze a little more power and mileage out of it.

So can I change my EGR to a '98 EGR, and use the tube on mine so I can run '98 headers? Or does the '98 EGR sit in a different position on the upper intake?

Also what's everybody's take on the Jet performance chip?

 

[Tractor Dan]

As far as the no aftermarket intake deal. Do what i and someone else on here have done. Check out the modular kits sold by Spectre.

Here is their catalog.

http://www.spectreperformance.com/#CATALOG

I took the 8208 kit and used that. Nice thing about that kit it has the tubing section with holes for your sensor and the tube that runs over to the oil filler neck. The name escapes as i'm tired right now. I had to add a straight piece on, and buy another elbow. The 45 degree one kicked me out at too much of an angle. I went with a 90 degree elbow. I will say don't use the black coupler that comes with the kit. Buy one of the Spectre ones like the PN 8776. I then put a 6 inch cone filter on. I'll get some more pictures tomorrow and get my other ones on to photobucket so you can see what i done. I ended up having to remove the stock air cleaner cylinder and whatnot but it wasn't too bad.

Here is a thread by HazmatRanger. It's not on the intake for the 3.0 but his set up is basically similar to mine. Just so you can get an idea of what i done.

Hope this helps. I noticed some more pick up and go when i gave it gas and the engine actually runs much smoother atleast i think. Also noticed an increase in my mpg's. I drive a 97 with 31 inch all terrains. I have 4:10 gears in my rear end. The best i was getting with the stock setup was around 15. I'm now getting about 19 to 20. That's also with about 400 pounds of sandbags in the bed along with the box that contains them and a whole bunch of other tools and stuff. Like i said hopefully this might help atleast on the intake deal. I think in mine i had about $100. Maybe $115. Depends on where you get your parts and whatnot.

 

[James86]

Some people suggest going to a 98-01 upper since it flows better than your 97 intake. I've been trying to get unlazy about installing my composite upper like FeelinFroggy(?) has on his 3.0 and he said he noticed a big difference. As far as the intake kits go, I just pieced one together as well:

Somehow despite piecing it together, I manged to line everything up and center it perfectly on the throttle body. Another idea I picked up on another site was porting and polishing my MAF. I recommend only doing this if you have a second MAF housing available in case you mess up. I have two spare ones lying around, but they're pretty cheap:

I noticed a bit more response from it being less restricted and it sounds a bit throatier as well. Of course, you'll notice I stuck with the factory airbox because it draws cool air form outside, but between the MAF housing and the replacement pipe, I figure it's still a lot less restricted than stock. As far as fuel economy, I can't really give you a good idea since I run E85, but last tank I averaged about 14.5mpg, and about 75% of that was nightmarish construction zone highway miles

 

[Tractor Dan]

Can the airbox off a 99 be swapped into a 97? I would honestly rather have it setup like that where it's pulling in cold air from the box. Though i'm not sure it would really be worth my time and money if it could. Unless ofcourse i found one dirt cheap on something somebody was parting out or something. With the 97's they had the canister and the 6 inch cone filter wouldn't fit. I currently have mine ran right behind the headlight. I figure it's atleast getting some cold air from that. Not as much probably as if it was pulling from the side like the stock setup.

 

[James86]

Mine pulls from around the headlight form the factory

 

[Tractor Dan]

Ok. On the 97's they had it pulling from passenger side front quarter panel. Didn't realize they changed the design. I haven't seen the engine bay of a 99 at all so didn't know how it was set up. Guess i'll do some looking and seeing what i might be able to make work.

 

[McCormack]

Drill some holes in the bottom of your airbox and it'll flow better. Drilling the holes in the bottom rather than the sides ensures that water won't get into the box.

 

[locovaca]

Ok. On the 97's they had it pulling from passenger side front quarter panel. Didn't realize they changed the design. I haven't seen the engine bay of a 99 at all so didn't know how it was set up. Guess i'll do some looking and seeing what i might be able to make work.

The 97 pulls from the radiator core support. Follow the lower black piping up next to the radiator. There is no opening on the quarter panel.