[Raffa]

Well, I am hanging out at the dealership getting my Yakima cargo rack installed and I ask the parts guy what kind of intakes they have for the Armada.

He tells me they have a K&N kit and the stock filter replacement. He then tells me that he has a Volant intake which he says is much better since it has a similar box type enclosure where only cool air enters the intake.
Well, knowing nothing about the intake I ask the service guy if he'll install it for free and if he will still cover it under warranty etc etc.

Well couple of hours later and I drive off the lot with a new rack on top and a Volant cold air intake under the hood.

My quick review on this item without having read anything about it on the net. is that I freaking love this thing so far.

It sounds like I own a mini nascar car, I mean this thing sounds mean. The growl is loud but not unbearable. It's a deep throaty growl. I have been punching the gas pedal and my gas mileage is the same as it was before I had it installed without any crazy driving.
It seems like throttle response is quicker, similar to when I put the CAI on my 2000 1.8T Passat.
Not much technical info but by the seat of my pants feel it's a little quicker, sounds better and I got alot of looks from the ford/chevy guys on the way home.

So chalk me up as one happy Volant customer.

So far my upgrades are:
Yakima cargo rack
Volant Intake
GLooomis fear no fish decal.
Mud all over the sides and front.

--Raffa

 

[Raffa]

Well, let's just say that they were going to give me it for $350 installed.
I have seen it online for about $250 and I hear installation is 30-45 min. My installer took a good hour to get it in.

Then again, I read some negative initial reviews on this unit as far as installation is concerned and things not fitting properly.
I have not had any of those problems and to tell you the truth, if I do I'll just take it back and have them fix it.

--Raffa

 

[Raffa]

Amen on the K&N dropin filter, unless there is some type of housing that prevents air being sucked in from the engine compartment the gains are only in your head.
This thing is nice but much too expensive for me if I had to pay for it.

As far as the Yakima rack goes:

for the Armada you can get the mega warrior cargo basket, or you can go a little smaller width wise (from side to side) and go for the Load warrior which is also a bit cheaper.
about $400 for the mega warrior with extension and
about $320 for the load warrior with extension.

You need to buy the extension for it to fit on the Armada. even with that you will have to move the cross bar all the way toward the front.

go here and check it out:
Yakima Cargo Racks