You will want a programmer to recalibrate your shift points and to correct your speedometer for 35" tires anyway, so go for that and then save for a regear...forget about the cai, if you're expecting extra performance from that because it will be barely noticable at best.

 

Intake, exhaust and programmer all work together. More air in, more air out, and a program to use that additional air. You won't see the full potential of any of the three without all of the three.

Gearing is a definite must if you are running larger tires. The post before about the gears is exactly right!! Very much agreed!

I have the intake, exhaust and programmer, but up the hills, getting on the freeway, getting rid of the 4.10s for 5.13s is the only thing that is going to make a huge difference. Mine are going in next week....can't wait!!

 

Also, if you like to offroad through water, cai is voodoo, because it will make you more susceptible to hydrolocking your motor.

 

So, now that i know step one is the programmer, any thoughts on which works best, again for a 2008 4 door, auto tranny and 35's? Hypertech or Superchips is what i am seeing but maybe there is a better one out there that someone has experience with? Thanks!

 

I have the Superchips Flashpaq and I think it's the best of the programmers. You can adjust your speedo with tire size, adjust for changes in gears, it even has a a program for rockcrawling which is very nice with the auto and 35s, and it has a program for raising the idle when you are using a winch, etc. Reads codes as well. Honestly, I don't think there is any else that I need other than whats in the flashpaq. I have been really happy with it.

IMO, I would still get the CAI with the programmer, at least don't run the performance tune without the CAI, or at least a high flow air filter, you really need to bring the extra air into the engine to feel the difference with the performance tune.

 

X2, 'nuff said.

 

ya, I agree about pulling the water into the engine with the CAI, but that's if you are going to be putting yourself in that position. I personally don't want to be that deep in the water as I would have a whole bunch of other problems with electrical and such if I went through water that deep. I'll just avoid that river crossing until I water proof everything else in my jeep, then I'll get the snorkel. Of course, I am in SoCal and running the desert and doing the rocks and trails out here rarely bring us to water crossings. So, the CAI works great and has made a difference for me with everything else I have on the jeep.

 

I previously had a CAI and later after re-gearing, lift and all the other goodies moved on to a flashpaq. Being the guy that I am, I never read the instructions and jumpped right in to get my hands dirty. Long story short I went to Superchips web sight and right there where all the options for the JK flashpaq a big red X saying CAI not supported. I need to call to confirm but I think it hurts the lower end torq. If anyone has any input I would be happy to here about it.

 

The programmer will give you more bang for your buck. If I had it to do over again, I would. I like my CAI but it's more of a sound thing than an actual performance gain. When I first put it on it felt as though it had some difference (although maybe I was misled by the sound), but now it seems to be all the same...not sure if I am just used to it or what. Either way, I would say programmer first.

 

I'm going to check on this and fly around support to get to the SC Engineers and see what the skinny is. I have a CAI and routinely swap it out with my stock air box. Barely measurable but not perceivable differences with or without it.

I have longed mentioned that the metal tube CAIs transfer engine bay temperatures into the air intake, and perhaps this is one of the culprits especially with Mopar's metal tubed CAI. Poly based air inlet tubes are much more functional, not transferring heat and very likely to give more steady intake temperatures to the AIT sensor.

Anyway, I'll post when I get an answer and what are the actual detractors from using a CAI with the Flashpaq.