The intial question was are there gains with a CAI and/or exhaust. Your first post said no that requires a power adder. That is incorrect. There are gains. They are just not enough for you. Everyone has there opinion. Some people just can not give factual answer. If you dont run these systems since they are a waste, what practical experience with or knowledge do you have about them other than what you have read from others?

 

haters everywhere.

 

Can't we all just get along?

 

Lol. I just stand my ground when people put fake info out there. It misleads people. Guys read an article in hotrod magazine etc and claim that info as fact. No real experience or are commenting on products they do not own and/or never have.

 

Personally went from 13.6mpg to a steady 14.1 in the open-city roads. Speed limits between 35 and 45 mph. This was with an AEV snorkel (primarily for cleaner/cooler air), with a K&N air filter on a 2012 JKU auto and KM1s 285/75/17 (measuring 32 in tall),

 

Intakes and exhausts are tuned for power or mileage. Your most free (can't spell freest) exhaust is no manifold off the heads, try it and see what happens to mileage, performance and longevity. The tuned exhaust can drop pressure seen on the engine to less than atmospheric pressure and at the right time to aid the next exhaust event. Intakes should be designed to allow air to move fast and cause a pressure wave for the initial filling of the next cylinder, moving fast builds up momentum which is where you get a greater than atmospheric fill in the cylinder. The ECU provides fuel for the air it sees coming in, if it sees more air it provides more fuel so you don't melt your engine, that's how you accelerate - step on the throttle, let in more air, ECU opens injectors longer for more fuel, more power which results in acceleration. If you can get more air past the sensor it will put more fuel in as long as the ECU and injectors are up to the task. Getting more air in means intake tuning and exhaust tuning (empty the cylinder faster and more completely means easier to stuff more in under the same intake conditions, more air again more fuel and more power.

If the heads can't flow enough air for these power increases they certainly can't flow enough for a turbocharged or supercharged engine.

 

I agree with Dirtman, however when I was a noob, I bought a AirRaid CAI. That is what I have now. Basically the only benefit is that it gives the engine a more throaty sound when you put your foot down. Don't expect any more benefit than that.

I have a buddy that has the K&N 63 series. The problem with it is that it is open on the bottom with a closed top. Unlike the AirRaid which is mostly enclosed except for at the front. We went wheeling in the mud and he went too fast through a mud puddle no more than 1 ft deep. After doing it several times his Jeep stalled in the middle of the puddle. When we opened the hood, we saw that everything was covered in muddy water, including the air filter. Yes, the mud splashed up from the wheel onto the filter and got ingested into the engine. BUMMER. We were able to get it off the mountain but it threw a rod about a week later. We didn't know how bad it was until they pulled the manifold and saw the mud.

I think that if the CAI wasn't open at the bottom like it is, then the water splashing up may not have gotten pulled in as easily. That is my theory anyhow.

Anyhow, lesson learned. Once through the puddle, and take it slow. After all, it's a Jeep, not a submarine.

 

I will have to say,. As I have researched, regardless of the performance gains, the Airaid setup looks like it offers the most relative protection

 

i have the AFE and i plugged the forward facing hole so so all i have ia a single inlet by the fender like OEM. Just twice as bid as OEM.

 

Update... So I installed Airaid MXP intake this weekend. Put it on prior to the new exhaust so I could see /feel if there was actually a noticeable difference.

Very easy install. Nice unit that protects the air cleaner from elements and uses factory air intake point. My only gripe about the kit is you have to cut off the air scoop from the stock airbox. While it is less than 5 minutes work with a Dremel, it does "commit" you to the unit. It seems like the folks at Airaid (now owned by K&N), could add in a scoop into the kit. That said no big deal. You can definitely feel a little extra "pull" in the 3-5k RPM range. I am not talking crazy power like my Corvette, but it is definitely there. My wife got home after the install. She didn't know that I had added the intake. She immediately noticed the change as well.

One real benefit of the Airaid unit is at lower RPMs is sounds pretty stock, you don't really hear anything different until you get on it. While I have only had on since Saturday, if also seems that mileage Is slightly better. Seen about .4-.5 mpg better than my normal average in about 100 miles of driving, but really too early to tell. Verdict. It was worth it.