Is it me?

[Jhendrix]

Jeez, I read all the available stuff on the K&N filter replacement.....but I had a "bitc-" of a time getting that darn silencing tube out of the inner fender..something I now call the "Abyss"....Not only that...losening the "grommets" and getting that stock housing up and out of the way and getting filter out was a more than a 10 minute job....There is no room to work....and I still don't know if this was successful...At least the car runs..but I don't notice anything different...except...I ain't doing any other mods by myself..

Help?

[DaveSVT03]

It was definately a pain. I separated the silencer from the airbox before I took it out and that seemed to help. I removed the bolts holding the box to the fender and then pulled the airbox out before opening the box to put in the performance air filter. But, it still took me some time to work the air box out. I think most people have the same experience that you had with the installation. However, I did feel a diferrence after the Ford Racing Filter and removal of the rubber snorkle. The boost gauge goes about 2lbs higher now too.

I did the same thing on my 01 and the exhaust seemed to get a bit louder and I noticed a bit of difference at high RPM but not as big.

In both cases the difference was only noticible to me at high RPM and at full throttle.

[Jhendrix]

I guess I'm just miffed that it wasn't a quick job....Nothing with mods are quick! All I've done is drive it around the block a couple of times....My SVT Ford Service Engineer is on my block and I almost drove into his driveway! He suggested the K&N...now I'm thinking the "Densecharger" makes more sense as I won't have to worry about those silly "Gromets" getting into their holes.....There just isn't any room.....If this is any indication about installing "cat back" system...I'm in trouble....

Heck, from what I've seen on posts here...I don't know how much oil to put in this thing..

Thanks for allowing me to vent...

:confused:

[DaveSVT03]

I know what you mean. I'm still laughing about the oil comment...

It's true - I never knew exactly how much oil to put in my 01, and it looks like my 03 will be the same - somewhere between 6 and 7 quarts depending on.................

hehe.

Happy new year!

[rachrse]

Jhendrix take the stock air box and sling it into hell, install the densecharger and be done with it. The cat back is easy to install and I don't think you will have any problem with it . The 03 does not like a chambered exhaust,hope this helped Rachrse

[Jhendrix]

I went to their web site and it looks great...then I read..you have to drill three holes and move this and that...and I worry bout cleaning that thing....How do you get this "oversized K&N out to clean...by unbolting the plate..or from underneath? I looked into the inner fender well and it looked like the abyss to me...

I'm interested....just looks like it'd be a headache...

[cobramach]

I still have scar on my middle finger from taking that damn thing out back in April. I'm sure that the "Ford Quick Service" guys check the air filter in the stock set up each and every time because it is so easy to do (yeah right). In my 01, I noticed a much more satisfying sound and a little bit of seat in the pants feel after the removal. But, what's five horsepower or so to you 03 guys!