This subject seems to be a popular one but I can not find a clear answer to my question: Is there a noticeable difference between a boxed CAI and an open CAI? I am debating between a volant (which there is not very much information about) and a K&N. Any advise would be appreciated. If anyone has had experience with a boxed vs open CAI please let me know if I should look at one style over the other.

 

Theoretically, a boxed CAI should help exclude hot engine air providing more cool air which provides better power.

I recommend a boxed CAI with a non-oil filter. The box should also help keep more dust and engine grime out of the filter. After using K&N oiled filters for many years I switched to non-oiled (AEM) to avoid the hassles of oiled filters.

 

I agree with the boxed; this is a true Cold Air Intake (CAI). However, price makes the "semi" CAI's more attractive to the adverage Joes, and therefore sell more than the boxed type. I'm doubtfull you'd feel the difference between the two if that were the only mod, or if you added a free flowing exhaust. Add a tuner, and now you begin to reap all these benefits.
As to oiled filters verses non oiled, if following dirrections and not "over oiling" a filter can be done by yourself, there is nothing wrong with them. I've been using K&N filters on my Harleys, cars, and current truck without any problems or failures. The Harley has the same K&N filter; it has 127K on it's service life (I installed a second engine on the Harley after it had 112K, but re-used the same K&N air filtering system).
If oiling does not seem to be your "ballywig", then by all means, buy a dry performance filter. Just don't believe the myths about oilded filters ruining the mass airflow sensor, or throttle bodies. All untruths.

 

i have the boxed volant and i love it. i recently took the top off to see if there was any difference and there wasnt so i left it off because it sounds a little better now.

 

I dont think there is that much difference between the two to be really noticeable. There is probably a difference of only a few hp but there is nothing wrong with more hp it just all depends on a guys budget.

 

You won't notice much of a difference when driving. The only time you would see a difference in IAT's is when stopped. The design of the filter and tubing makes more of a difference than the closed box or use of a heat shield.

 

So then why do some manufacturers box their filters? I have noticed that it is really only S&B and Volant that do this (that I've seen).

 

Couldn't tell ya.

When your cruising down the road think of all the air entering you engine compartment. This air is cooler becuase it hasn't been sitting in the engine bay absorbing all that heat. Most "open" intakes come with a heatsheild around them anyway, that and the hood essentially make it boxed in intake.

 

I was thinking with heat shield vs. no heat shield when the OP asked about "boxed" above. My AEM version has the heat shield with rubber gasket that seals against the hood when closed - effectively boxed. I've seen the few fully boxed ones - probably help keep more dust/dirt/grime out of the filter and allow you to clean the engine without worrying about getting water on the filter.

 

You won't notice a difference.


CAIs are all about FLOW, the name "cold" air intake is a sales ploy. Studies have proved that at highway speed there is no difference in the air temperature inside the hood and outside the hood, there is so much air flow the engine does not heat the air in the engine compartment at all, it simply doesn't have enough time to make a thermal impact.