it's about the physics of a motor when it comes down to it. Think of a faucet running full blast at 3 gallons per minute. That represents the "air on intake". Now, the drain is 1.5" (combustion chamber) and can only move 2 gallons per minute. Then the main drain of the system (exhaust) can move 3 gallons per minute. Unless the middle section, in this case, the combustion chamber, can move more air and fuel, gains are negligible. Guys like seeing 20-30 hp gains on paper, but that's not real world, considering climate, elevation, humidity, etc., on a vehicle weighing 5,000+ pounds, you won't feel much of a difference. At altitude, it's even worse and far less gains. For the money, I would invest in other performance mods. Bumpers, snorkel, skids, gussets, etc. The manufacturers spend millions in this research. Tuner companies, don't come near the testing funds or measures and they don't have to back up a warranty or comply with fuel regs. In short, I think of how much I did to my Volvo to get some true gains to the effect of 150 hp and torque. That my friend, you can feel, all on a car weighing around 3500 lbs. simple math, even if you get 50 hp to the wheels, which is never going to be the case with a tuner, intake and exhaust on the 3.8 or 3.6, you're still only getting 1 hp per 100 lbs. more realistic numbers, on paper are about half of this. I know guys claim to "feel the gains", but in reality, 1 hp per 200 lbs. isn't anything to feel good about. Furthermore, unless you draw air from outside the engine bay, it's not cold air. Seems like CAI is being used like Xerox for all copiers. Back to tuners. Tuners hopefully change timing. To my knowledge, on most of what I've read, jeep tuners influence air/fuel ratio. With this, gains are minimal. Timing of the motor must change. Carb? This is done mechanically. FI? Done through the ECU. Once this timing is changed to allow more volume of air to move, then an intake and exhaust come to life. Guys can argue this all they want. It is mathematical facts regarding these mods. If it were that easy, the super charger and turbo companies wouldn't be in business. Their systems force feed air into the motor, some change timing, but they also increase compression which is why they require higher octane, which is more stable and doesn't have more energy per molecule. If they see a fuel savings, it is most likely related to the engine moving the vehicle with greater ease. Considering the programmers you identify, do they change timing? Or just air/fuel ratio?

 

I have no clue, sorry. I bought it (Superchips) to adjust my gear ratio and speedometer settings. The added power benefit that came along with it is just a plus.

 

It might be closer to $430 for you, but up here in Saskatchewan, Canada gas has been around $1.30/L (5.90/gal) so gas adds up real quick here. I only have a CAI and it cost me under $300. I have had the CAI on for about 15,000km so I haven't made my money back yet but in the 2 years I've owned it I have already put 60,000km on it and if I continue to drive this much then it definitely benefits me. I'm not saying the CAI is the key to power/mileage but it helps enough that it's worth it.