So I am halfway into building myself a cold air intake from ABS. The only thing I have left to order is the K&N filter. But I started thinking.....

I have a 3.9l v6 quad cab. It's sluggish. Is this really going to help the little V6 that I have? I don't want to blow 60 bucks if I don't have to, ya know?

Anybody out there do a CAI on the intake on their V6 and notice the improvement?

 

I made one out of pvc and a K&N type cone air filter a few years ago. I put it on my truck and it did not make any difference at all in performance or the way it ran. It did make more noise when I would gun the throttle though. I removed the elbow off the front of the air intake box, that helped a little. Then I took a Dremel tool to the front of the air box and cut out the opening in it a lot larger. That made a little more difference, maybe helped the power a little. It makes a howling noise when I go up hills or pass someone. I tried running with the rubber flap removed but the air filter got wet in heavy rain so I put it back on. I could tell no difference in performance either way.

The elbow and factory air intake box are restrictive to good air flow. I read online that if you open the front of the air box wider and use a good flowing paper air filter it is about the same effect as adding a CAI. I don't know if that is true or not but my modified air box does give a better power increase than my home made CAI. I also read that to really see the benefits of a CAI you need a better exhaust, more air in will naturally need more air out. That makes sense to me but all I have on my truck is the stock exhaust. If my muffler and/or cat ever fail I might look at bigger exhaust though.

Just my 2 cents. Others have probably gotten better results from a home made or store bought CAI.

Jimmy

 

Awesome. Thank you for the reply. Exactly what I was looking for. I was wondering if it really made a difference.

Anybody else have any experience?

 

I made my own CAI by taking the snout off the air box and taking a hose through the front to behind the grill then turning it down so water can not enter. I also put a 3" gibson cat-back exhaust on. I seem to have more power, but I did get almost 2 mpg more.

 

Thanks again Silver and Keg. I also thought about just plain removing the elbow, but then I'd be sucking in a bit warmer air. And I don't want to "ruin" the stock air box though in case I want to use it again in the future or sell the truck.

Decisions, decisions! You kinda scared me though keg by saying "I SEEM to have more power" haha. Even after a new exaust and your CAI mods, you scared me with the seem comment.

 

If you like the look get an air cleaner, think about it 360 degrees of air flow with almost zero restrictions(bends)

 

I have the 3.7 V6 and put a CAI on it....very glad I did. Helps fuel economy and improved power a little bit. I got the cheap Ebay one for like $40. No reason not to get one.

 

I took the rubber flap out of the grill and took the horn off the airbox and put a K&N drop im filter and it made a differance,it sounds good too when you need it,and it cost $50 for the air filter.

 

Thanks for all the info everyone! I am thinking I might wait to make my modification to the intake until I do other mods as well. I am still debating! haha. I very much appreciate everyone's input on the situation.

 

my whole thing is why spend $300.00 on a cia, when you wont see the money return back to you until a few years later