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CAI - Does it help??

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cai
6K views 18 replies 16 participants last post by  Governor 
#1 · (Edited)
New 2015 JGC owner here. Not that experienced with cars and performance parts so bear with me. However, I'm looking for a bit more acceleration/responsiveness on the low end. Nothing crazy. I just want a better/smoother feel and less "sluggishness" to be honest. I love how the Jeep rides and picks up in middle gears. Read a few posts about installed CIA's and it helping with the responsiveness and some minor low end changes, etc. I had my previous Audi chipped but I've read that you cannot do that on a Jeep. Not expecting anywhere near that kind of boost/change anyway. Any information would be greatly appreciated!



Thanks!
 
#2 ·
The Mopar CAI seemed to give a little better throttle response, and 0.5 MPG increase. And it looks and sounds great!!
 
#4 ·
I have been thinking about this also, honestly I have heard more reports of people feeling like they lost some low end but maybe gained a little up on top...

Seems like it might be a mod to get more noise from the engine more than anything.

It would be cool to see true HP charts on them, but the manufacturers do not supply such charts which make me believe that it doesn't do a whole lot.
I know from a marketing standpoint I would test every CAI design on a dyno and publish the charts if I manufactured them.

Where I can find charts it looks like gains are usually above 4000 RPM, and there are usually losses below 2000 RPM. I dont know about you but I generally dont spend much time above 4000 RPM in any of my vehicles.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I had the K&N On mine and aside from the "perceived" gain in power (because of the noise) you really can't feel any power increase...

It makes a LOT of noise so it sounds faster...but still worth every penny

I also invested in a ported throttle body + an aftermarket Gibson exhaust on my 3.6GC and it still wasn't really any faster than my wifes stock 3.6L Durango

it was wayyy louder and sounded faster but that's it...I slapped a supercharger on mine now so it actually is faster now
 
#7 ·
Generally, the ECU is going to try and keep the stoi ratio where it's happy so more air in equals more fuel in. Hence, it's almost impossible that you'll gain any MPGs. Claims on that are almost all false.

As far as power goes, the 5-8 horsepower gains you see on dyno sheets typically come beyond 4,500 RPM. How often are you at high RPMs? Probably not often. So in day to day driving you're not going to see any increase in power either.

Now, what you WILL notice is better sound. It'll make the engine roar a lot louder under full throttle. So if you like noise, go for it.
 
#13 ·
Go read some info on Donaldson nano technology filter media.
Volant offers theirs with the Donaldson Power core filter, I just bought one and that is the reason I went with the volant, just for the better filtration.

Amsoil used to offer Donaldson planer type filters for the standard air boxes but they were pricey and didnt sell to well so they recently dropped them. I have them for my WJ and Durango.

Some literature to read.

http://www.donaldson.com/en/engine/support/datalibrary/068390.pdf

http://www.ultimatesyntheticoil.com/pdf_files/g2202EAFILTERS.pdf
 
#10 ·
I installed the MOPAR one on mine about 3 months ago. I've noticed a little pick up but not much. Like others have said, it sounds nice. My boss took my Jeep out after I put the CAI on and he told me he could feel the difference in pick up and noise as well. By no means is he a car guy.
 
#12 ·
Greetings,

I have an AFE for my 3.6, without any other mods, it was a small gain. It helped maintain the middle power. The real difference came after I installed the tuner, Diablosport. Sometime in the future, I will change the exhaust to complete the basic triangle.

Otherwise, for noise, it does increase it a little.

Best for now.:)
 
#14 ·
Look at the chart from K&N. the HP curve is nearly identicaly until 5200rpm. The AFE is almost the same...
so far. the CAI for the grand, is nothing more than bypassing the "noise reduction boxes" on the factory air intake.
It WILL give you a 10-11 hp gain, at 5200 rpm... and make a sound louder.
MPG is probably not noticible, and will get worse if you actually get to 5200rpm to fell the 10hp difference.
 
#15 ·
^^speaking of those "noise reduction boxes"....


was given an Airraid intake as a gift. Been good for couple years now, but it's only the box and filter. Tube going from box to engine is just the stock. Just purely for sound, anyone know if changing the tube to straight is going to give a good bump in the sound?


TL;DR - Does most of the sound come from the cone filter or the aftermarket tube?
 
#17 ·
The volant is nice peice with the Donaldson filter. And yes you hear the engine noise when you step on it. It also removes the clutter in the engine bay in front of the engine.

So you get better filtration with the Donaldson media, less clutter in the engine bay and get to hear the Hemi sing when you mash the gas!
 
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#18 · (Edited)
I have an aFe CAI with the Diablosport tuner. I personally noticed a difference with the acceleration and mostly with the smoothness of the transmission being able to shift MUCH smoother than stock tune. The tuner really did more than the CAI did. I just ordered the Gibson Axle back for my 3.6- looking forward to completing the total set-up of having the tuner, CAI, and soon the Exhaust.
 
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