Air filter vs. Exhaust

Posted by: Anonymous

Air filter vs. Exhaust - 10/03/06 10:39 AM

Being the poor man that I am, I often have to pick and choose which modifications are most needed, instead of being able to do them all at once. I have an 02 XE. Which would be a better investment to install first- K&N air charger kit or a new exhaust system? I am leaning towards exhaust. Any thoughts?
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Air filter vs. Exhaust - 10/03/06 11:46 AM

Well just remember I/H/E all compliment each other. You won't get the full potential of each until all 3 are installed. But, if I was you I would get the exhaust and grab a $40 K&N drop in filter. That way you can do both at the same time. You will see little or no difference between the drop in and the full intake trust me.
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Air filter vs. Exhaust - 10/03/06 01:50 PM

I think that is what I am going to do. I am a new Xterra owner, and really this is the first vehicle that I have owned where I gave a crap. So I am new at figuring out what modifications are the best. So far I have started with new A/T tires and Bilstein shocks. Both needed to be replaced. Now I am looking at improving performance. I have ran into a few K&N honks that swear by those air chargers. But I think you are right in that I should just get the $40 filter.

Question: As I said above, I am a new owner and am new at the car acronyms. What is I/H/E? I'm guessing I is intake and E is exhaust. But what is H?
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Air filter vs. Exhaust - 10/03/06 02:34 PM

H = Header (Exhaust manifold)
Posted by: Anonymous

Re: Air filter vs. Exhaust - 10/03/06 02:59 PM

I kind of thought that the "H" was for heads. However I don't know that the Xterra aftermarket has a set of heads available so I guess that H would stand for header even though headers are part of the exhaust system.
I agree with everything said above, first because your truck is an '02, (170hp) the exhaust would be a good start. The exhaust on the '03 is credited with the 10hp improvement over the '02. So there is a little room to grow.
Second, most everyone here says that the drop-in panel filter works just as well as the "intake systems" that are offered. Or at least that it is the best bang for the buck.
Finally, don't expect a rocket ship for $600 bucks worth of upgrades. The Xterra is a no thrills, off-road truck, and it behaves like a truck. The first Gen rigs are hard cases for getting extra horsepower from aftermarket mods.
Enjoy your new truck.