CAI vs a drop in K&N filter??

[Digger]

I love the look of a number of the CAI's that I've seen on here but after reading a ton of posts on the subject I'm beginning to think that they may be a waste of money. Our trucks already have a cold air intake stock & the only benefit from the aftermarket units would be in looks only & that I'd better served just dropping in a K&N filter in my stock airbox. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks guys

 

[mudblood]

Well Digger, there has been tons and tons written on "cold" air intakes or what I call after market intakes (I will explain that below). Having seen many cars at the dyno with aftermarket intakes see little to absolutely no power improvement I can tell you for the looks and change in engine sound they are a fine investment but for power..........go with a tune.

Now, as for the cold air part...........that is a misnomer like "ram air" intakes. Neither function actually happens with these intakes. A cold air intake does not make the air colder as it gets air in and around the engine compartment and ram air is not "rammed" into an intake and the air is not sub atmospheric. There are marketing ploys to make you think your getting something special. Air flow is usually better on aftermarket but that is only because the after market filter filters at a higher micron rate. So, is that good for the engine. Frankly, I would not advise the use of any aftermarket filter in dusty areas but highway driving is probably fine.

 

[GotExhaust.com]

The cold air intake its self may not net you the seat of the pants increase that you're after and with certain intakes the tune is necessary for trouble free operation. When coupled with an aftermarket exhaust and a custom tuner, you will see an improvement in horsepower and 0-60 times with an intake/exhaust/tune combo. Of the 3, the tune is the best bang for your buck but maximum performance gains can be had when running all 3.

Let us know if you have anymore questions and feel free to send us a PM for package deals. We have a relationship with 5 Star tuning to offer their tuning service with our intake and exhaust packages.

 

[justvettn]

My experience: Did the exhaust first and found no increase and was disappointed in the sound. Did the CAI second and wow the truck came to life and the exhaust now sounds more like a muscle car.
I have no aftermarket tune and don't want to mess with that. One thing I do have though, is a tuned Air Intake that works with the factory tune.

 

[BobbyVA]

My experience: Did the exhaust first and found no increase and was disappointed in the sound. Did the CAI second and wow the truck came to life and the exhaust now sounds more like a muscle car.
I have no aftermarket tune and don't want to mess with that. One thing I do have though, is a tuned Air Intake that works with the factory tune.

I saw that you have magnaflow exhaust and that you were seeking a better sounding system...which CAI did you go with and are you now happy with your magnaflow?


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[justvettn]

I have the Injen CAI (I ditched the AFE system) and yes I now like my Magnaflow catback combined with the CAI.

 

[Digger]

I did a cat back system yesterday. I also took the resonator out & went with a Magnaflow muffler. I sounds awesome now. Ok so I'm going to do the CAI & a 5 star tune then. I like the Air raid & the K&N systems the best but I can get a Roush CAI from a friend here in town really cheap. Any thoughts on the Roush. They are making some pretty bold claims on the site about it. A have a friend in town with the blue scab with an Air Raid CAI, a 5 star tune & the same exhaust set up that I just did. His truck Fn rips & will blow the tires off at will. His truck runs way different now. He came here the morning he did all mods & took me for a ride & I was blown away at how responsive it was. It ripped in comparison to mine.

 

[JayneCobb]

After looking into the CAI myself I have chosen to go the UMP route. It uses a Donaldson filter and the way it functions by flinging the heavier dirt particles to the outside is what sold me on it.

Note: I don't even have the truck yet. Stupid waiting game.

Just a few threads I went thought to get to my final choice of UMP

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f24/what-intake-best-24722/

http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f24/ump-intake-systm-25506/

halfway down this page you'll see a good explanation on the UMP
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f65/gs-raptor-14639/index33.html

 

[JJ f150harley]

I just put a volant with Donaldson filter on mine and its all stick except that and she acts and sounds like she should have since day one. Defiently worth a cai in my opinion.

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[cups]

I got my Airaid from 5Star when I bought the tunes. Very pleased with both.