Which CAI to go with?
12-25-2013, 02:38 PM
#11
Senior Member
For example, anyone that knows even the slightest about aerodynamics would immediately scream FOUL over the usage of the corrugated hose used outside of the vehicle. Every single one of those ribs WILL slow down air flow.
If they wanted to do a reasonable test, they ought to test against something with a known restrictive factory intake such as, well yes, our trucks, or the GM pickups even... But comparing aftermarket CAIs to an effectively factory CAI is just a B.S. test if I ever saw one...
Last edited by dbhost; 12-26-2013 at 09:31 AM.
12-25-2013, 04:34 PM
#12
Senior Member
12-25-2013, 10:17 PM
#13
Senior Member
I wouldn't waste the money on one. I had an AEM on my old truck and all it did was make noise under decent throttle. I really believe that any type of engine mods to these trucks is not worth the time/money unless you step up to a supercharger.
12-27-2013, 11:48 PM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
I would not go so far to say a CAI is a complete rouse on the consumer. They are there to remove restriction, and increase filter flow. If you couple your CAI with long tubes, and or a free'er flowing exhaust, you might actually put some respectable gains down in the efficiency and power production of the motor...
With that being said... Most CAI's on an unmodified motor will flow better, but without a tune, and additional mods to complement your CAI, you might just be making additional noise and running lean.
I have the Volant, and had no issues running lean with it. I'm tuned for it however. It does do its job well of drawing in ambient temps at light throttle cruising. I did however have to home-brew my own DIY cold air scoop, that runs to the tow hook. After the scoop install, the ambient gains were showing up at light cruising speeds. My scoop does not rub on right turns, even with 35" tires. But its a little smaller then the scoop Volant sells. I made mine with junkyard intake parts.
I'd suggest either the Volant or S&B CAI as being the better choices available for our trucks..
With that being said... Most CAI's on an unmodified motor will flow better, but without a tune, and additional mods to complement your CAI, you might just be making additional noise and running lean.
I have the Volant, and had no issues running lean with it. I'm tuned for it however. It does do its job well of drawing in ambient temps at light throttle cruising. I did however have to home-brew my own DIY cold air scoop, that runs to the tow hook. After the scoop install, the ambient gains were showing up at light cruising speeds. My scoop does not rub on right turns, even with 35" tires. But its a little smaller then the scoop Volant sells. I made mine with junkyard intake parts.
I'd suggest either the Volant or S&B CAI as being the better choices available for our trucks..
So if i should pull the trigger on the Volant, Air Raid or K&N, do you think it will be worth it in the end?
12-27-2013, 11:53 PM
#15
Im also looking into the Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust and also looking into the edge evo or sct for a tuner. I also live in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Where it is pretty darn cold :P. -55C here today.
So if i should pull the trigger on the Volant, Air Raid or K&N, do you think it will be worth it in the end?
So if i should pull the trigger on the Volant, Air Raid or K&N, do you think it will be worth it in the end?
12-28-2013, 04:05 AM
#16
Im also looking into the Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust and also looking into the edge evo or sct for a tuner. I also live in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Where it is pretty darn cold :P. -55C here today. So if i should pull the trigger on the Volant, Air Raid or K&N, do you think it will be worth it in the end?
So if i should pull the trigger on the Volant, Air Raid or K&N, do you think it will be worth it in the end?So, If you can get a great deal on one for cheap then definitely buy it.. I say this because I feel like they are all a bit overpriced when new. I found mine used on Craigslist and literally paid nothing for it.
.. If your plan was keeping most everything else stock, including the tune, then skip it....
Last edited by Especial86; 12-28-2013 at 04:15 AM.
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MaxedReflex (12-28-2013)
01-13-2014, 11:29 PM
#17
I just ordered a volant cai, I'm seeing mixed reviews on every type of cai but I found a great deal on this one. I'm looking to add an edge evolution to my truck aswell, should that even out any lean running that will happen?
01-14-2014, 09:09 AM
#18
My SCT tuner has an option as to whether or not you are running a CAI, so I would assume yes.
01-14-2014, 10:05 AM
#19
Senior Member
no, they don't. The test features a Nissan Skyline that features an effectively factory CAI... Rigged test.
For example, anyone that knows even the slightest about aerodynamics would immediately scream FOUL over the usage of the corrugated hose used outside of the vehicle. Every single one of those ribs WILL slow down air flow.
If they wanted to do a reasonable test, they ought to test against something with a known restrictive factory intake such as, well yes, our trucks, or the GM pickups even... But comparing aftermarket CAIs to an effectively factory CAI is just a B.S. test if I ever saw one...
For example, anyone that knows even the slightest about aerodynamics would immediately scream FOUL over the usage of the corrugated hose used outside of the vehicle. Every single one of those ribs WILL slow down air flow.
If they wanted to do a reasonable test, they ought to test against something with a known restrictive factory intake such as, well yes, our trucks, or the GM pickups even... But comparing aftermarket CAIs to an effectively factory CAI is just a B.S. test if I ever saw one...
My thoughts exactly, especially that corrugated tube that completely ruins any effect that a good CAI would have had.
01-14-2014, 10:23 AM
#20
Senior Member
In full truth. the F150 5.4L factory ships with a "cold air intake" as it pulls the intake air from outside of the engine compartment. It is however a fairly restrictive one.
I personally opted for the AirRAID 400-940 cold air tube. Not a full on intake, but it removes the restrictive tubing and baffles from the stock intake, while retaining the stock intake filter box, MAF sensor locations etc...
If you think about it, air flow wise, the stock filter box inlet sort of looks like it can take 3 3" pipes side by side stuffed into it, the surface area of the opening is massive, albeit an oval shape instead of round, over 3X the size that people are upsizing the inlet tube to by using the Gotts mod. Not that the Gotts is a bad mod, but look at the AirRAID and you will see that it opens up and bends smoothly to get to right behind the headlight in a big funnel sort of fashion. The air flow increase will be dramatic.
I haven't heard of anyone having any problems with the current version of the AirRAID, running lean wise. However it is a good idea to match your intake mods to a tuner as well... If for no other reason than to calibrate for the added air that is going to hit that MAF...
I personally opted for the AirRAID 400-940 cold air tube. Not a full on intake, but it removes the restrictive tubing and baffles from the stock intake, while retaining the stock intake filter box, MAF sensor locations etc...
If you think about it, air flow wise, the stock filter box inlet sort of looks like it can take 3 3" pipes side by side stuffed into it, the surface area of the opening is massive, albeit an oval shape instead of round, over 3X the size that people are upsizing the inlet tube to by using the Gotts mod. Not that the Gotts is a bad mod, but look at the AirRAID and you will see that it opens up and bends smoothly to get to right behind the headlight in a big funnel sort of fashion. The air flow increase will be dramatic.
I haven't heard of anyone having any problems with the current version of the AirRAID, running lean wise. However it is a good idea to match your intake mods to a tuner as well... If for no other reason than to calibrate for the added air that is going to hit that MAF...