Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
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Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
I realize that there are people here that are much more knowledgeable when it comes to COI's. I have done research about the many types and configurations. But I have one question that some of you may of had experience about...
It seems that the stock intake on my 2002 4.7L is basically a COI. The only difference is the resonance box and air box, right? The intake funnels cold air from beside the radiator. But I guess more turbulence is caused by the abrupt turns in the factory intake?
I'm done babbling, so my real question is why don't I just throw a K&N air filter in my factory intake for 50 bucks instead of spending 80-300 bucks for a tube and a filter? Thanks for any help and sorry if my concern is elementary!
Dan Mast
It seems that the stock intake on my 2002 4.7L is basically a COI. The only difference is the resonance box and air box, right? The intake funnels cold air from beside the radiator. But I guess more turbulence is caused by the abrupt turns in the factory intake?
I'm done babbling, so my real question is why don't I just throw a K&N air filter in my factory intake for 50 bucks instead of spending 80-300 bucks for a tube and a filter? Thanks for any help and sorry if my concern is elementary!
Dan Mast
V6 Ram Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Chicago
RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
honestly, that's probably the best thing to do. cause, all that stock **** (air box/resonator) is what protects your engine. sure, they are more restrictive, but they filter everything...not to mention, duh, our trucks are engineered to perform with the stock intakes. i mean, i guess what i'm saying applies to cheaper ones...i mean, if you buy a genuine mopar one, or an expensive k&n, i'm sure they take that into their design consideration.
nonetheless, the resonator and airbox are pretty much the only difference from a cai. but, liek you said...the turns and stuff make it slightly less efficient. and also, cone filters have a huge advantage in letting air in while still filtering. you have the outside of the cone, and also the inside. gives you a bit of an advantage...but, that's why you only get a few (at most) horsepower from these things, and sometimes (usually) a drop in low end torque.
nonetheless, the resonator and airbox are pretty much the only difference from a cai. but, liek you said...the turns and stuff make it slightly less efficient. and also, cone filters have a huge advantage in letting air in while still filtering. you have the outside of the cone, and also the inside. gives you a bit of an advantage...but, that's why you only get a few (at most) horsepower from these things, and sometimes (usually) a drop in low end torque.
Joined: Dec 2007
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RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
Its a CAI
the issue with CAI is the performance gains are in the higher RPM range and if you push it to those RPMS youll be burning more fuel getting to it. Just get the regular drop in.
the issue with CAI is the performance gains are in the higher RPM range and if you push it to those RPMS youll be burning more fuel getting to it. Just get the regular drop in.
Peaceful Browser
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Miramar, Florida
RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
A CAI will work good for you if you buy one that mounts where the air will flow more efficiently through it, or you buy a design that works with a ram air hood. Our stock set up flows real good and if you buy a cheap setup, then you will lose out everywhere. Another thing to think about is your exhaust. The stock exhaust is very restrictive and if you change to a CAI first, you won't notice anything but a little sound. Look at changing the exhaust first to free up the out flow.
Another option that you have is to use a drop in filter like K & N and change out the tube between the stock box and the throttle body. This will also add a little bit your ride.
Is it worth it? Yes. The stock paper filter works great when clean, but gets dirty fast and you need to change it frequently. Thinking of the money that you will save over the life of your truck on filters alone is worth it. You may only gain .5 mpg increase but that would take along time to figure if it is worth it or not. The sound alone may make you think it is worth it too.
Another option that you have is to use a drop in filter like K & N and change out the tube between the stock box and the throttle body. This will also add a little bit your ride.
Is it worth it? Yes. The stock paper filter works great when clean, but gets dirty fast and you need to change it frequently. Thinking of the money that you will save over the life of your truck on filters alone is worth it. You may only gain .5 mpg increase but that would take along time to figure if it is worth it or not. The sound alone may make you think it is worth it too.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2008
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RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
ORIGINAL: L and R Two
A CAI will work good for you if you buy one that mounts where the air will flow more efficiently through it, or you buy a design that works with a ram air hood. Our stock set up flows real good and if you buy a cheap setup, then you will lose out everywhere. Another thing to think about is your exhaust. The stock exhaust is very restrictive and if you change to a CAI first, you won't notice anything but a little sound. Look at changing the exhaust first to free up the out flow.
Another option that you have is to use a drop in filter like K & N and change out the tube between the stock box and the throttle body. This will also add a little bit your ride.
Is it worth it? Yes. The stock paper filter works great when clean, but gets dirty fast and you need to change it frequently. Thinking of the money that you will save over the life of your truck on filters alone is worth it. You may only gain .5 mpg increase but that would take along time to figure if it is worth it or not. The sound alone may make you think it is worth it too.
A CAI will work good for you if you buy one that mounts where the air will flow more efficiently through it, or you buy a design that works with a ram air hood. Our stock set up flows real good and if you buy a cheap setup, then you will lose out everywhere. Another thing to think about is your exhaust. The stock exhaust is very restrictive and if you change to a CAI first, you won't notice anything but a little sound. Look at changing the exhaust first to free up the out flow.
Another option that you have is to use a drop in filter like K & N and change out the tube between the stock box and the throttle body. This will also add a little bit your ride.
Is it worth it? Yes. The stock paper filter works great when clean, but gets dirty fast and you need to change it frequently. Thinking of the money that you will save over the life of your truck on filters alone is worth it. You may only gain .5 mpg increase but that would take along time to figure if it is worth it or not. The sound alone may make you think it is worth it too.
Peaceful Browser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,960
Likes: 1
From: Miramar, Florida
RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
Kinda both on the sound. Your exhaust will get a little meaner, but when you run the truck at higher RPM's you will notice the sucking sound as well.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: South Georgia/East Florida
RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
The drop-in does flow better than a stock paper filter, but the resonator on the Hemi is the flow killer here. I posted a link to a test done on the Hemi that confirmed that the resonator is where most airflow was lost some time ago. A well made CAI that goes directly into the throttle body eliminates this restriction. However, don't expect a night/day difference. 8-10 HP gains at the engine is the norm here and this only equates to about 4 or 5 HP at the rear wheels.
Where the true benefit of having a CAI pays dividends is when it is combined with other intake/exhaust mods and a tuner. A system that features a CAI, Headers, Cat-back and a good tuner has far greater performance/mpg gains than the sum of the individual parts...
Where the true benefit of having a CAI pays dividends is when it is combined with other intake/exhaust mods and a tuner. A system that features a CAI, Headers, Cat-back and a good tuner has far greater performance/mpg gains than the sum of the individual parts...
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Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: CA
RE: Is a Cold Air Intake worth it?
Like hammer said, a CAI is a support mod. You'll get better gains from it as you continue to mod and your engine needs more air (headers, cam, heads, tune..etc). If the CAI is going to be your only mod then I wouldn't bother with it...use the money on gas.