You don't want the air coming from under the hood - too hot. We have all noticed how on a cool humid day, engines run stronger. That is because the cooler the air the denser it is which means more oxygen molecules - more fuel to mix and more HP.

 

Todays stock intakes are designed to put the filters away from the major heat source, and from what I see K&N as well as most others puts their filter in the same location so no real improvement other than the HiPro look to show the buds. If the Hemi`s 360Hp insn`t enough then good on ya for havin the gas money. But Im in my 40's and have a different outlook than I did 15 years ago. Back then I would have spent the dime so I am not trying to down anyone for doing it.

 

Also with today's gas prices I appreciate the warmer air (better mileage). For many of you out West the heat is year round, and gets annoying, but for us in the East the cold makes it like I have a tank troll drinking my gas. Prices are only going to go up. Just a matter of time.

 

As power has been going up and up over the years stock they are using pretty good intakes and exhausts so CAIs and cat backs, even tuners, dont make a huge power difference anymore. Except tuners on diesels

 

I totally agree with most of the posters on this thread. From what I have seen, the performance gains don't seem to be there to justify the coin spent. At 390 HP stock, you really got to want it bad to be able to justify the expense of going for significantly more.

 

I did put a k&n air filter in (since the OEM box is pretty much a CAI in itself). The difference from those stock and the k&n as far as air flow is pretty large. Not saying Im getting better gas milage or HP (only have 560miles on it) and not saying it will but a better breathing engine is always better even if its just by a small amount and lets face it.....its $60 bucks. Super cheap in the scheme of a brand new truck. I am going to get a free flowing muffler also (better in better out). Its only $140 (again pretty cheap) and makes it sound just a little better but not to loud (going with the solo mach 44-have the big horn so its one in two out).
with the money Im saving on a CAI and true duel Im going to buy some bull bars and other acc.s

 

I did the CAI / Chip on my 03 ram and my gas went up ZERO, in fact it went down because of the cool sound. I also noticed zero change.. There may be a small improvement if you put it on a dyno but enough to notice? no.. I can see if your on the track and trying to get .00xx on your times but save your cash... I also agree with Pedro Dog, you are not even using your CAI unless your foot is all the way down, does nothing going down the highway on cruise.

 

The best overall gains in performance and mileage are attained with a low back pressure exhaust, including low restrictive cat converters. These monies will get you a nicer sound, and MPG's. People that have a heavy foot will not get better mileage no matter what they install. IMHO most people trick up their trucks for the noise/aggressive sound/deeper tone; not for the MPG's. If you use a "tuner" you either use it to improve mileage/shifting or horsepower/speed; you can't get both at the same time. No matter what you put on a truck, mileage and going faster do not go together.

Just some thoughts from an old fart that likes the available pickup that my Ram has, but when not towing I like the mileage. I have only the 4.7 with a complete exhaust cats to tip, but 360 +hp which I can get according to my friend who put it on the dyno is plenty. My truck is loaded with over 1200 lbs of tools and parts, and I get 23+ mpg on level highway at 65 to 70 mph, and 16 to 18+ around town, lights, traffic, etc.

If I need to get on it, it goes.

 

CAIs by themselves do very little. Gains that actually reach the rear wheels will only be single digit if you ONLY install a CAI.

A CAI is a type of "helper" mod that only really begins to shine when it's installed in concert with other components that require better airflow.

Install a CAI with a set of headers and the combined gains will be greater than the sum of the individual gains from a just a CAI and just headers. Saw dyno runs to prove this during my time at a performance shop.
Many LT headers have it printed in their docs "CAI recommended for optimum performance" and I know a one company that sells polished heads sends a sticker out with every set that states "CAI strongly recommended".

If you are going to run a CAI on a stock or mildly modded truck, then I'd suggest you at least make one out of PVC and get a decent filter. IMO spending $300+ on one for a 3-5 RWHP gain is a waste of money when you can make one that will perform and sound just as good, can look even better and will cost you $50-60...

 

Heard alot of people saying the factory CAI was good so I just added a K&N filter to it. Im going to go with a new muffler (free flow Solo Mach 44). Think I'll notice anything?