My apologies if I am starting a redundant thread but I have been unable to find the info I was looking for...
I'm considering adding a K&N Cold Air Intake kit to my 08 JKU. My goal is to try to get a bit more horsepower and mpg...
I'm looking for any pros and cons that anyone may have, specially those that have used them and have some experience with them.
I'm basically wondering are they really worth it or just a bunch of hype?
Thanks for any help you can give.

 

I'd say they are kind of hype for real gains. Sure does make em sound nice, and MIGHT add a slight throttle response gain. But the small gain doesn't justify the cost and their vulnerability to water. Just my opinion tho.

 

I run an AEM Brute Force CAI. I'll be honest, I'm not happy with the performance I thought I'd get. It may have boosted mpg by 1 or 2 mpg but nothing like my experience in my daily driver (2010 Nissan maxima). If I had to do it all over again,I would have just stuck with the K&N stock replacement filter. It was only $41 shipped and it gave me about 1 mpg and increased throttle response and peace of mind when hitting deep puddles on the trails. It makes the nice rumble sound and all but my 2011 isn't seeing the improvement I was hoping for. So my vote, for a jeep, all hype.

 

X2. Just go with a K&N drop in, and save the money for a different mod.

 

I love my k&n but its only good for sound, it may improve somewhat, i think it's all in my head, I agree use the $$$ on something else

 

I only noticed gains in the top end with my airaid intake. Since removing it for my stock airbox i have noticed a small decrease in top end. Otherwise i noticed 1mpg gain after putting my stock airbox and k&n drop in filter. Also improved bottom end power and peace of mind. X3 on drop in filter. K&N, AFE or AEM

 

It's my finding that a cold air intake is part of a three part upgrade. Cold are intake, exhaust and a programmer. The exhaust is needed, more air in needs a better way to escape. I have done this to both my jeep and dodge truck. It becomes quite costly though.

 

I put a K&N intake and an exhaust on my 11' JKUR; it definately improved the power of motor a bit.

 

that's right! you will not get much HP or MPG improvements even with all this ^^. but if you do go all the way, a cat back, CAI and programmer can all be picked up under $1000. what it gives you is better sound, cooler air, better air flow, and better throttle response. it will not turn ur jeep into a gas sipping hemi. but it will give you a lil extra power mostly noticeable when in 4lo and torqueing up a steep climb. worth it if you wheel a lot IMO.

now just a CAI is still worth it IMO, as long as you get a good quality washable filter. This is great because you can clean it after each off road adventure and they will outlast the drop-ins which cost $40-$50 to replace. do that a few times and you will have paid for the washable CAI. as far as water fording goes they are just as safe as the stock filter or a drop-in.

but try to remember, jeeps are not race cars or boats.

 

I got a K&N cai used from a freind putting a Ripps SC on his JK. When used with my Superchips programmer it does seem to have better throttle reponse and a little more top end pull but thats it. No real change in mpg. I have averaged 16.9 for the last 36k hand calculated. 2010 JKU auto 3.73 with 33 GY DTS.