Hi guys,

I am a noobie here. Just bought a 2000 Xterra SE (V6, 4x4) and I really like it. Does anyone here on the forum have the AEM Brute Force Intake? What is the general consensus on this product? I know it is not sealed, but could I do light off-roading with it and be safe?

What do you think the gains would be on it (HP, Torque)?

Thanks.

nobody's got it? hmm...

i dont have it, you could do even heavy offroading as long as you arent splashing thru water and stuff,
as far as hp,tq gains, you wont get much with any intake on an n/a engine, but you will get a significant improvement on throttle response and a lil mpg if you go easy on the skinny pedal.

if you ask me what you should get based on things ive HEARD and what i think by LOOKING at intakes, it would be the volant

thanks, man. i saw the gains for brute force, on tirerack.com, as 13.5 HP/20 torque, for 2000 xterra se V6). i know that AEM dyno tests their products, but i wonder if that's a misprint. seems a bit high...

I KNOW IT SAID "UP TO"
there are many factors for dyno pulls, they could dyno oem with a warmed up engine in one gear
then run the aem with a cold engine in a different gear, etc.
always assume you will never make the #s they show

ya i dont think you'd get half those numbers in reality.

thanks, guys. i still have not heard from anyone who has it, though... i know aem discontinued the intake for my year (2000) but the still have them for 2001-2004. it should fit just the same, i suppose.

not sure about those numbers, i think a lot of times those numbers are engine dyno tested, and not what you'll get at the rear wheels. i have an 05, and i have a k&n cai on it, not sure about how much horse power i gained from it, you can feel a little difference when you get on the gas, but it sure does sound mean....makes the already beefy v-6 on the 2nd gens sound like a v-8. my gas mileage also improved a little....probably enough to make the intake pay for itself by the time the x is paid off....lol...

-john

The cheapest way to go is to remove all the resonators. There are two under the hood, one on the intake (between the filter and the upper intake) and the hockey stick shaped one beside the radiator. Block the holes with plumbers test plugs. (Home Depot, Lowes, about $2 each). Remove the resonator that is between the inner and out fender. You can get it out by taking of the plastic above the drivers side wheel.
Then install a K&N drop in or filter of your choice.
It sounds good, is still well protected and the only cost is the filter and plugs.

Hi guys,

I am a noobie here. Just bought a 2000 Xterra SE (V6, 4x4) and I really like it. Does anyone here on the forum have the AEM Brute Force Intake? What is the general consensus on this product? I know it is not sealed, but could I do light off-roading with it and be safe?

What do you think the gains would be on it (HP, Torque)?

Thanks.
Overall, I'm happy with the purchase and would recommend it. I put the brute force on my 07 about 6 months ago. Performance wise is tough to say, but I think it has a little more torque than it used to. Haven't paid attention to the mileage, because i don't have the patience to remember to keep track. It sounds noticeably throatier at higher RMPs (i compare it to the sound of a waverunner, not sure if that's good or bad, but I like it). HP gains are probably half what AEM claims. Did a lot of research on CAIs and bought it for 4 reasons:

1) Reasonably priced
2) Claimed HP gains were the highest among competitors
3) Larger filter than most
4) Looks cool

Had some installation/ongoing annoyances

1) Instructions were not for my 07 model and had to guess on portions of the installation

2) The pipe rubbed against the opening of the airbox and made an obnoxious squeaking noise when running. Was fairly easily corrected by filing the slot bigger and repositioning.

3) A reoccuring squeaking occurred which I assumed was from the flexing of the airbox when driving, but seems to have mostly stopped after about 2 months (seems to have "broken in")

ok im kind of interested in taking out the resonators ive read up on how to do it sounds pretty straigh forward , but my question is will this cause any lights to go on or will this make it pass emisions.

it wont make the cel come on, and as to the emisions i dont really know but i dont think it will make you fail....

i have the Brute Force... it was an easy install and i go offroading a lot, especially after it rains so there's lots of mud and puddles around, i havent had any problems yet and i've done it many times, so go for it

i have the k&n intake on my frontier with the vg33 engine, it helped a little and man does it sound good, im not sure if any intake would gain 10 hp or more on these engines but they do help a little.

i have the k&n intake on my frontier with the vg33 engine, it helped a little and man does it sound good, im not sure if any intake would gain 10 hp or more on these engines but they do help a little.

I bet you that your heat shield is chafing your alternator ground. That is a dangerous product because of that. Either turn the fastening screw the other direction, or ditch that ground wire all together. I would just ditch the ground wire.