If you want a small performance boost ALONG WITH superior filtration, get a drop-in foam filter and drill a few holes in your stock airbox. $40. Done.

A filter's main job is to FILTER the air that your engine inhales. With these aftermarket CAIs that use gauze filters that are not more than 1/16" thick, you are compromising engine protection in order to achieve higher flow. Common sense would say that allowing dirt into your engine does not help performance or longevity.

 

While I agree that these intakes are no performance panacea, I wouldn't call them a "scam". There are plenty of dyno runs that do demonstrate horsepower increases. Now whether those modest increases are worth the cost is subjective. I can say that my Airaid has added some throttle response and a nice surge from about 2200-3000 RPM. I don't run my Jeep higher than that, but I suspect the gains would be more noticeable (if the dyno stats are anything to go by). They definitely sound more powerful than they are though But yes, I can't say I have seen any noticeable improvement in MPG from it.

 

That's not a very good comparison. Since the low pressure created by the pistons traveling towards BDC is what causes air to be pushed into the intake to begin with, then the only way to increase that flow is to increase the engine's entire volume. The bottom line is that the reason that we're not finding good results from any CAI is that the engines are utilizing the stock air boxes LESS than 100%. So, installing a better flowing or larger box and or air pipe makes little to no difference. You can only flow as much as the engine can take in. With the type intake and injection systems used on these engines, there is little if any to be gained before the throttle body. This is why a throttle body spacer is nothing more than a paper weight as far as these engines are concerned, even though it is after the throttle body, the same principle still applies. The ONLY way to achieve the air flow increase you're really looking for is by increasing the engine's total volume. You'd be talking about redesiging the ENTIRE engine from top to bottom. Good luck with that. We have beat this dead horse nine ways to Sunday. There ain't much of him left.

 

Im sure the reason for the xtra bracket is because the pipe is so heatvy...seeings how its stainless steel versus plactic

 

ou don't have to increase the amonut of cylinder volume by redesigning the engine. there are other ways of increasing the volume allowed in through the intake and other ways of increasing mpg's. without the risk of vilolating or voiding the warranty. One of which may, yeah the super charger which has another thread done on it. One way is a supplemental way of using Water. Yeah there is another thread being done on that as well. look for "Super Charge Anyone" or "HHO" yes that is H2O or HHO gas. Hydrogen Gas.

 

The pipe is not heavy at all. weights the same as the plastic tubes.

 

I don't think the CAI adds very much to the MPG on my Jeep. I intend to change the muffler to a less restrictive type and hope for only .5 to 1 mpg gain. That does add up especially these days. Headers wouldn't do much on this engine because the factory has somewhat made headers for this engine. They are really ugly but they work like headers. My answer for the CAI was to go with Rusty's Offroad set up. Basically the K&N large ( RE 0810 ) and a small metal tube that connects the stock tube for only $100 delivered. I change it back to stock airbox if I go offroad because of the water protection is much better. I can do this in 5 min or less because it uses the stock plumbing. Just thought it might save some of you guy/gals some money for other mods. I don't like paying high prices for something that doesn't add much. I could have saved this money but was hoping for even .5 gain. I can't seem to make a good comparison because I change my driving habits when I am trying to consciously monitor the gas. I take off slower and allow more time less throttle when braking. So I have seen a 1-2 mpg gain but I think it might have more to do with not smashing the skinny pedal. I like just hitting it once in a while just for the growl. When I really want to go fast I get on my motorcycle.

 

so which did u decide to keep? (i'm the one who's been trying to buy the K&N 77 off ya in canada!)