Intake

[Mikeyjm1]

I am finishing up my full turbo back 2.5” exhaust over the next couple weeks. I have been researching and watching intakes for the 1.4 500X since I bought it in 2016.
While I think the EC unit is beautiful and the only one actually built for this platform, Im not dropping $300+ for looks. Do you have any dyno research or proof available that it does anything?
I have a K&N drop in and first removed the pipe to the radiator then cut the lower front of the airbox off. And now pulled the passenger fog light blank and replaced it with an empty fog light bezel for a clean opening. Response keeps getting better.
It looks to me that the V4 is more restrictive. We have a wrangler, the 500x isn’t leaving pavement so I could care about a sealed system.
I believe something like your Dart pipe is more suited to put a filter in front of the fender well where I now have fresh air coming in and make power.

[Tuning@EC]

Nice job on the fog light bezel, it looks clean and like it could be effective.

We do have test results for the V4 intake (advertised for the Renegade 1.4L). I don't know why they're not on the site but I will find them and get them up (and I'll come back and post them here).

It is possible that you could make a V2 style intake that situates the filter near the bezel. We would need a car to mock something up.

We knew we were only going to have the Renegade for a short time, so our priority was to create the highest ram air pressure intake we could in one go, which is why we went straight to the V4. The design increases velocity by quite a bit. We saw about 7-8whp gains on the dyno. So it's not restrictive, but it is limited to what goes through the fresh air ducting.

If you were to situate an intake near the fog light opening, you may not get the same instant build up of ram air, but you will get increase flow for sure.

[Mikeyjm1]

Thanks for the quick response.

Right now I’m in the middle of my money pit exhaust quest. Turns out the Magnaflow Renegade Trailhawk system sort of fits. It’s the cheapest of the 3 they offer for the platform. I figured out and verified that though it says 2.5, the 500X specific model is only 2.25”. And the Renegade kits are both indeed 2.5”. The Trailhawk only model is the most complete and cheapest, $544 shipped with a 20% coupon.
The resonator and muffler mount perfect and fit like a glove. But there is too much “sag” or “droop” just before the muffler, to clear driveshaft and diff that aren’t present, and the tip is in slightly the wrong place because of the bumper differences. I’ll have my local fab shop fix that stuff.
I have a 2.5” flange from CFP waiting to swap onto the Cat and the shop is going to fab a new 2.5” B-pipe.
Then we’ll dyno it to see where it’s at.
Attached is my recent run for a base line before going further.
This is with K&N/cut airbox/fog vent, MPX throttle body, and “ghetto” muffler delete, and worn plugs (EC gapped NGKs 40k miles ago).

[Brandon@EC]

Thanks for the quick response.

Right now I’m in the middle of my money pit exhaust quest. Turns out the Magnaflow Renegade Trailhawk system sort of fits. It’s the cheapest of the 3 they offer for the platform. I figured out and verified that though it says 2.5, the 500X specific model is only 2.25”. And the Renegade kits are both indeed 2.5”. The Trailhawk only model is the most complete and cheapest, $544 shipped with a 20% coupon.
The resonator and muffler mount perfect and fit like a glove. But there is too much “sag” or “droop” just before the muffler, to clear driveshaft and diff that aren’t present, and the tip is in slightly the wrong place because of the bumper differences. I’ll have my local fab shop fix that stuff.
I have a 2.5” flange from CFP waiting to swap onto the Cat and the shop is going to fab a new 2.5” B-pipe.
Then we’ll dyno it to see where it’s at.
Attached is my recent run for a base line before going further.
This is with K&N/cut airbox/fog vent, MPX throttle body, and “ghetto” muffler delete, and worn plugs (EC gapped NGKs 40k miles ago).

Interesting stuff man. Have you thought about making a build thread?