If you upgrade exhaust system to a more freely flowing type should you also upgrade the air intake to allow more air into the engine? I often heard you should upgrade exhaust if you upgrade air intake, so I was wondering if the opposite was necessary?

 

Seems logical.

I think in order to reap the benefits of an exhaust you need to get more air in.

 

Most people do...unless doing just for purposes of sounding cool

 

With the air intake, you aren't really pulling in "more" air, you are just pulling that air in easier. There are a lot more components to replace if you want to pull more air in. So you really don't need the intake unless you really want it...as you will see very minimal gains if any at all.

 

Ok makes sense. I wondered because after doing my exhaust upgrade about 2 months ago I noticed a little less low end, presumably due to reducing back pressure. So I'm thinking if more exhaust flow reduces backpressure adding more air would replace some and increase power.

 

My AEM Air Intake was done prior to installing MBRP Exhaust. My jeep did feel a little more responsive with the intake. Exhaust definitely helped. If you do go with an intake AEM seems well made.

 

Does a Cai deepen the exhaust sound also? Or is all the additional noise coming from the intake?