I like my CAI on my vehicles...I don't purchase for HP gains...but to save on stock paper filters over the life of the vehicle. I find it cheaper to maintain a CAI oiled filter over the stock paper filter if you hold onto your vehicle for 3 or more years. Also, on my Turbo Diesel the CAI helps suck in more air for my chipped up diesel......as I sucked my stock filter into the intake tube one time at the highest power setting on my chip. After that I got a CAI.

I don't find the CAI that bad for off-road conditions....just add a pre-filter to your system and you will prolong the interval of cleaning and oiling that filter.

People are corrrect by stating that CAI's DON"T add HP. We did testing on some LX vehicles with the 5.7L hemi and the CAI systems actually take away HP unless you get your vehicle re-programmed or add a chip....even then we did test on a few Chargers, Magnum's & 300C's with the 5.7L Hemi with each CAI systems....and we found ALL CAI's tested Volent, Mopar, K&N, AFe, AEM Brute force, etc. lost horse power vs the stock intake and filter. It was minor like 1-5 HP lose vs Stock. All the CAI did was make the Hemi more throaty.

 

I think the bottom line is...it's YOUR Jeep. If you want a CAI, get one. To hell with what everybody else thinks.

Now, THAT said.....here's my 2 cents. Remember, you asked. I think money can be better spent elsewhere. Instead of a CAI, I went with aFe's new drop in filter. It SEEMS like I can actually tell a difference in power.....but you know how that goes. I figure, this way, I have a higher flowing filter than stock and less of a chance of sucking water into the CAI I spent several hundered dollars for and hydrolocking my engine. Somehow, something just doesn't seem right about paying to screw your motor up.......However, now go back and read that first sentence again.

 

Thx for the input... I decided a CAI will not be installed on my rig. I'll save the $300 !!

 

Good call. Had one on mine and would have swore that I actually lost power. All gains quoted in the advertisements are for the higher RPM's (4500 and up). Don't know if I have ever had my RPM's that high.

 

Good call, I think you will notice more of a gain from a ram air snorkel and a good drop-in air filter.

 

good call. get gears. best mod for the $$.

i have a CAI and it spends more time in my garage then on my JK