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Have you already done the Gotts Mod?
you have to spend some time, 15-30 mins sanding down the pvc into shape. i want to do it out of some thin aluminium but not a big deal. and the silencer you need to work it a bit and you can remove it. i want to do it soon. maybe in the next few days.
Dont forget to take pics!!!OK I just finished it up and took it for a spin. I notice that the engine feels a little less held back, but it could just be my imagination. One thing I know I am not imagining is the improvement in sound. I also have the Gott's Mod, but removing that silencer actually quieted the engine bay down quite a bit. I barely hear the intake over my exhaust now (which I am more than happy with) until I really get into it. Anything past 3000 rpm's and it sounds like a mad beast from up front. I am going to add the same link that I posted earlier, as it has very helpful pictures. I also took a few of my own.
Here is the link that I used. It is for an F-150, but it is the same process. Also, it was an 02 i believe, and mine is a 97, no difference in process. I do NOT take any credit for this write-up: Air Intake Modification Instructions
I apologize in advance, computers are not always my friend, and I do not know how to get the pictures to show up nice and big as part of the post, you will have to just click each one to blow it up. The pics should be mentioned in the descriptions below as they become relevant.
The link mentioned earlier will show you how to remove the assembly if you do not know how, its pretty easy. Just remove the clamps, vacuum hoses, and the temp sensor plug. Also remove the temp sensor itself in the ribbed housing, it will get in the way of taking the silencer out (refer to pic 4 to see what the sensor looks like).
The other write up calls for removing the ribbed section, from the silencer housing but I quickly decided that was not going to happen. Those things are stuck on very well... What I found worked well was to take a dremel tool with a cutting disc, and cut about halfway around through ONLY the silencer. Do not open up the outer housing if it can be helped. Next, take a screw driver, and push it down the outside of the silencer, in other words between the silencer and silencer housing, until you are close to the slit. Force the head of the screw driver (flat head by the way) into the slit, using the screwdriver to open it up. I do not have a pic of this (refer to pic 5 to see a vice grips in the same kind of position, found that the screwdriver worked better) but this forms a handle that works well for pulling.
I strongly recommend using a work glove for this next part. Take your hand and get your fingers in that slit (refer to pic 2). This forms a good handle for pulling the silencer out. The last obstacle is to get it past the ribbed section, which is a lesser diameter than the widest part of the silencer. It just happened that my first "handle" ripped (refer to pic 1), which I think actually helped with getting the wide part out. I just made a new one on the other side of the silencer and kept pulling. Every one will be a little different, just work with it and be patient.
One thing I should mention, as I was pulling with all my might on the silencer, the ribbed section took it like a champ, meaning that it did not show any real signs of ripping as the silencer moved through it. Don't be afraid to pull as hard as you can, because that is the only way that thing is coming out, but just keep an eye on that ribbed section as you do not want any holes/tears in it. Like I said though, it is pretty tough rubber, and should be fine as you pull the silencer through it.
The result is a wide open airbox, and very little windy-sounding intake noise (refer to pic 3 to see the interior with the silencer removed). I am happy with it so far, and it was worth it in my opinion. Reassemble and enjoy your new poor-man's CAI. Also if you have not done the Gott's Mod, I highly recommend that as well. My engine runs much better with both of these in place. Feel free to ask any questions, or if there are typos, or parts are unclear please let me know.
Just remember that this is only to help guide you in the right direction, and that I am not responsible for any damage resulting from the project. Good luck!
Oh and I noticed my dog is in pic 2, he kept sticking his snout in the silencer housing after I got the silencer out haha.