Hey guys, I'm sure there are a thousand comments out there on this topic but im looking for recommendations. Ive been reading about cold air intakes and Ive read that some claim that they cab give you anywhere from 4-30HP. So which one do I choose. I really would like to add some HP but I would also like to increase my gas mileage a little at the same time if I can. when towing im down to as low as 11.5 mpg.

Experience, thoughts, ideas? will a cold air intake increase my mileage or will it actually decrease it because of the HP increase?

4.7L 2x2 Ram 1500

 

I would honestly not recommend any big name CAI. Just as long as you can fab up something that smooths the intake out and eliminates the factory restrictions, then you're golden.

 

I would agree with this. I haven't looked on my truck yet to do one but, on my old truck I fabed my own ('05 Colorado.) Tubing from Home Depot, a Dremel, some engineering and a little time was all that it took. Worked extremely well and cost me only about 25$. I redid all the intake down to the throttle body. It was all done with 3" pvc tubing up to the box and one slightly bent (can't remember angle) electrical pvc tube from the box to the throttle body. Finding the path for the cold air pickup was the hardest part but I found a spot. I have a ScanGuage II on so I was able to monitor before and after intake temps as well straight from the truck's onboard computer. Having the CAI dropped the temps from about 20 deg above ambient to right at or slightly below at all times. Gas mileage was definatly a bit better, even with my lead foot. It also felt like a definate increase in power, though without a dyno I can't say for sure.

I haven't done it on Hemrietta yet because of all the winter stuff it comes with on mine. I really don't need all that in reality, its just really a convienance thing but, they all come with it around where I'm at. Once I get the motivation I'm going to try and strip all but the block heater off.

 

The '05 DAK I traded in for my RAM really improved with the CAI I added. The RAM...I noticed NO improvement at all. Wish I hadn't spent the money on it.

 

Seems to be the consensus here.

 

Yep. The trucks have a very efficient factory intake. The cars are a bit more restrictive and when adding a CAI they get a special CAI tune when you have a tuner. The trucks do not because there isn't enough added airflow to lean out the mixture.
If you had the heads ported and a bigger cam, long tube headers, etc, you may see some improvement.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Guess ill save the money and stick to air filters. Does anyone recommend a K&N or should I just stick to paper filters?

 

I agree with the above...I added a K&N CAI to my truck and didn't notice any HP gains nor MPG increase. If you want a nice growl to the engine then add one...If you want a power increase go with a tuner...

 

Would love a tuner but with a bumper to bumper life time warranty I just don't want to risk it.

 

I think there are tuners out there that don't leave shadows on the computers.