would a kn cold air intake make my 2003 mercury mountaineer louder?
Yes it will make it louder. As stated though usually under acceleration or load are the only times you'll hear it. While cruising I can't say that I'd want to hear the intake so it being quiet isn't a big deal, get a muffler if you want to be obnoxious. For those times when you do use the right pedal it sounds completely different. Your mpg wont increase so don't use that as a reason to buy it. The fun of driving a 7 passenger vehicle increases with the intake though which is always a good thing. If your thinking about buying it, BUY IT! You wont regret it!
The cold air intake will exclude silencing baffles that will make your Mercury slightly louder, but almost noone will notice it. It's not like installing a low restriction exhaust system. I say do it! The engine will breath better, resulting in slighly better power and fuel economy. As a bonus, the KN air filter is permanent. Just wash it and re-oil it twice a year and save the cost of replacing the air filter annually.
It will make it a little louder but only when the pedal is to the floor, due to the extra amount of air being sucked in though the intake.
