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Spectre CAI Installed 2017 Trailhawk

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2017 cai
7K views 23 replies 10 participants last post by  alsant 
#1 ·
I have to say I have had many WK2's including 3 SRT's and have installed K&N & Injen. This Spectre went in very nice with just a couple small critiques. I cannot see how I will can ever spend more $$ for the same concept piece. The IAT sensor was a little tough to get into the grommet but a little soap and spit helped. It seemed the Intake tube was a little short but that's why they have a flex rubber coupler. All in all I'm very happy with fit & finish and $$!







 
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#3 ·
What's the part number you used? I looked on their site but they don't list anything for 2017s (they do show pn 9020 for the 14-15s, but will that fit?). I just got a '17 Altitude w/ the 3.6 and looking to add a CAI as soon as possible. (also, your pictures don't come up any longer)
 
#6 · (Edited)
I installed a new Spectre CAI but with a AEM DRYFLOW cone filter.

I'm not sure I like the sound, it is too race car like but not much speed. I did a 0 to 60 run and it was actually slower than with the AEM drop in filter although I did notice that the air temperature sensor had loosened up and was sideways or not facing the incoming air flow more like bladed.

I wonder if a misaligned sensor can decrease performance.

Anyone here can shed light?
 
#7 ·
Driving impression:

Drove to work this morning and I could notice smoother acceleration. Under normal driving conditions, the CAI is barely noticeable. In the past I have reset the fuel consumption indicator on the EVIC when I leave my house. This morning I did the same and when I arrived to work I was showing 24.5mpg when compared to 21.8 before the CAI. I was driving normal with no abrupt throttle application. I would be happy if I gain some MPGs.

My judgment is still up in the air on this CAI. I will datalog a few runs and send to Hemifever to see if he can tweak for the CAI or to see if the CAI is robbing power.
 
#8 ·
I'm going to post the same reply I posted on another thread.

For those of you considering ordering a CAI, actually a HAI (hot air intake), in my opinion, I don't recommend it.

I have done multiple 0-60 runs and all of them have been slower than the stock box with the AEM drop in filter.

Also, the noise is a little too loud plus there is cabin vibrations.

I ran a 10 minute datalog just now and the intake air temperature at 45 MPH was 38 degrees hotter than ambient air which was 76 degrees. My engine was breathing 114 degree air.

I'm no engineer, but that much hot air can't be good for performance. I did notice my mpg's being a little higher.

I will probably remove the intake and put the stock setup this afternoon.

Anyone interested in a CAI (HAI)?
 
#9 ·
Went ahead and removed the CAI and installed the stock intake with AEM drop in filter.

I ran the CAI for 3 days. I would sell it but it seems like shipping would be too high.

Lesson learned for me. On the other hand, a CIA in my other car, Jaguar XJR, would actually work since the intercoolers would bring down the intake air temperature.
 
#10 ·
Statement: I have done multiple 0-60 runs and all of them have been slower than the stock box with the AEM drop in filter.
Comment: So this test was with the stk. air box and a AEM panel filter? If the AEM filter test runs were slower than can one assume the AEM panel filter is more restrictive than the stk. OEM panel paper filter?

Statement: Also, the noise is a little too loud plus there is cabin vibrations.
Comment: Louder with the AEM panel filter and stk. air box?

Statement: I ran a 10 minute datalog just now and the intake air temperature at 45 MPH was 38 degrees hotter than ambient air which was 76 degrees. My engine was breathing 114 degree air.
Comment: Not sure why anyone would do this test. A CAI is for HP. Which means you run it at WOT and not cruising around town.

Statement: I'm no engineer, but that much hot air can't be good for performance. I did notice my mpg's being a little higher.
Comment: As a rule of thumb on V8 engines, every 30 degrees of lower ambient temps equates to approx. 1% more HP.

Statement: I will probably remove the intake and put the stock setup this afternoon.
Comment: Based on your testing, you are testing the effectiveness of a CAI the wrong way.

Statement: Anyone interested in a CAI (HAI)?
Comment: Try WOT testing at the dragstrip or on a dyno. If the CAI is less restrictive, you will see an increase in air flow which will result in the following.
1. More air in, more fuel burned
2. Increased air intake noise because all the resonators were removed form the stk. intake setup.
3. More air, coupled with more fuel will equate to more HP. If the engine takes in more air it has to burn it. The increased air flow is not going to magically disappear.

Thanks
Michael Plummer
 
#11 · (Edited)
Comment: So this test was with the stk. air box and a AEM panel filter? YES

If the AEM filter test runs were slower than can one assume the AEM panel filter is more restrictive than the stk. OEM panel paper filter?

Spectre CAI with AEM cone were slower than Stk airbox with AEM drop in.

Statement: Also, the noise is a little too loud plus there is cabin vibrations.
Comment: Louder with the AEM panel filter and stk. air box? Way louder than stock box and AEM panel.

Statement: I ran a 10 minute datalog just now and the intake air temperature at 45 MPH was 38 degrees hotter than ambient air which was 76 degrees. My engine was breathing 114 degree air.
Comment: Not sure why anyone would do this test. A CAI is for HP. Which means you run it at WOT and not cruising around town.

Do you drive WOT in your neighborhood, on your commute?

Statement: I'm no engineer, but that much hot air can't be good for performance. I did notice my mpg's being a little higher.
Comment: As a rule of thumb on V8 engines, every 30 degrees of lower ambient temps equates to approx. 1% more HP.

You will not lower your intake temperature with a CAI.


Statement: I will probably remove the intake and put the stock setup this afternoon.
Comment: Based on your testing, you are testing the effectiveness of a CAI the wrong way.

Perhaps but I tested under the conditions I drive daily. For comparison I did several 0 to 60 runs that were consistently slower than the stock box with drop in AEM. I tested in the morning with colder temperatures and in the evening. As expected the evening ones were the slowest.

Statement: Anyone interested in a CAI (HAI)?
Comment: Try WOT testing at the dragstrip or on a dyno. If the CAI is less restrictive, you will see an increase in air flow which will result in the following.
1. More air in, more fuel burned

Hotter air coming into the engine means less power produced (due to less air density) which will lower fuel consumption at the same RPM. In order to make more power you would need to operate at higher RPMs (near WOT or at WOT) vs a setup that provides cooler air.


2. Increased air intake noise because all the resonators were removed form the stk. intake setup.

I have owned 31 cars. I installed carbon fiber (true cold air intakes with ducts in front of the bumper) on an Audi and a BMW and the sound was noticeable but nice, beautiful growl. The Grand Cherokee setup sounded too loud for a slow hunk of metal.

3. More air, coupled with more fuel will equate to more HP. If the engine takes in more air it has to burn it. The increased air flow is not going to magically disappear.

You need to account for air density. I agree that at WOT you would probably gain some power since the air velocity is greater thus avoiding the air to heat up in the CAI tubes, etc., but no one drives WOT during their daily driving routine. I didn't see a benefit of keeping the CAI for my application.
 
#12 ·
Statement: I ran a 10 minute datalog just now and the intake air temperature at 45 MPH was 38 degrees hotter than ambient air which was 76 degrees. My engine was breathing 114 degree air.
Comment: Not sure why anyone would do this test. A CAI is for HP. Which means you run it at WOT and not cruising around town.

Statement : Do you drive WOT in your neighborhood, on your commute?
Comment: Again, A CAI is used for more HP which will be seen at WOT. Doing cruising tests does not prove how effective a CAI is.

Statement: I'm no engineer, but that much hot air can't be good for performance. I did notice my mpg's being a little higher.
Comment: As a rule of thumb on V8 engines, every 30 degrees of lower ambient temps equates to approx. 1% more HP.

Statement: You will not lower your intake temperature with a CAI.
Comment: Never said you would. I posted that rule of thumb for the masses.

Statement: I will probably remove the intake and put the stock setup this afternoon.
Comment: Based on your testing, you are testing the effectiveness of a CAI the wrong way.

Statement: Perhaps but I tested under the conditions I drive daily. For comparison I did several 0 to 60 runs that were consistently slower than the stock box with drop in AEM. I tested in the morning with colder temperatures and in the evening. As expected the evening ones were the slowest.
Comment: You can test under conditions you drive but it's not the correct test for a CAI. A CAI kit is for increasing HP at WOT and not cruise.

Statement: Anyone interested in a CAI (HAI)?
Comment: Try WOT testing at the dragstrip or on a dyno. If the CAI is less restrictive, you will see an increase in air flow which will result in the following.
1. More air in, more fuel burned

Statement: Hotter air coming into the engine means less power produced (due to less air density) which will lower fuel consumption at the same RPM. In order to make more power you would need to operate at higher RPMs (near WOT or at WOT) vs a setup that provides cooler air.
Comment: At WOT air flow in the engine bay is moving and not as hot when compared to if you were sitting in traffic or cruising. Again, at WOT if the CAI is a good quality piece like the K&N or others like it, you will see a slight increase in HP and TQ thru out the curve at WOT.


2. Increased air intake noise because all the resonators were removed form the stk. intake setup.
Statement: I have owned 31 cars. I installed carbon fiber (true cold air intakes with ducts in front of the bumper) on an Audi and a BMW and the sound was noticeable but nice, beautiful growl. The Grand Cherokee setup sounded too loud for a slow hunk of metal.
Comment: You've owned way to many cars :). But let's be serious the Grand Cherokee is a SUV that weighs over 5000lbs. But trying to get more performance out of it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

3. More air, coupled with more fuel will equate to more HP. If the engine takes in more air it has to burn it. The increased air flow is not going to magically disappear.

Statement: You need to account for air density. I agree that at WOT you would probably gain some power since the air velocity is greater thus avoiding the air to heat up in the CAI tubes, etc., but no one drives WOT during their daily driving routine. I didn't see a benefit of keeping the CAI for my application.
Comment: Correct but saying it doesn't work for your driving routine gave the impression it doesn't work at WOT which could be confusing for people reading your post.

Thanks
Michael Plummer
 
#15 ·
I just did a 10 minute datalog while driving to Starbucks. At engine startup the intake air temp was 71.6 degrees. Outside temperature was 68 or 8 degrees cooler than the previous datalog with the CAI.

At the end of the drive it reached 78.8 degrees after I parked and idled for a 30 seconds. While driving the intake air temperature never climbed above 74 degrees while moving.

This quick test tells me that the delta was only 7.2 degrees higher than initial air intake temperature and 10.8 degrees hotter than ambient air.

All this in compassion to the previous datalog with the CAI which ran 38 degrees hotter than ambient air at the same speeds.

The only variables here were ambient air temperatures which were 10 degrees cooler than the previous test and the removal of the CAI.

This last test was with the stock air box with AEM drop in filter.
 
#21 ·
I wonder if the "open" conical air filter - even if it has some partition around it - as compared the stock air box and other inclosed air boxes lets too much hot air in. They may have less restriction but perhaps need to be sealed up better with and additional opening in the front to better feed air into the box when under high flow.
 
#22 ·
You are better off using something like afe dry panel filter with stock air box. I use that in my 16 75th. If you want to spend the money on a afe momentum gt that is sealed system but for 450 bucks no way. I just put the stock air box back on my 09 gen 2 4.7 after 5 years and it run a lot better with more torque off the line. What I would like even better if airaid would make there MIT system to fit the 3.6 so you could just swap that out with the stock one and keep the stock air box.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#23 ·
You are better off using something like afe dry panel filter with stock air box. I use that in my 16 75th. If you want to spend the money on a afe momentum gt that is sealed system but for 450 bucks no way. I just put the stock air box back on my 09 gen 2 4.7 after 5 years and it run a lot better with more torque off the line. What I would like even better if airaid would make there MIT system to fit the 3.6 so you could just swap that out with the stock one and keep the stock air box.


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
Agree. But if someone still wants to install a Spectre CAI, I will sell mine $135 including an AFE Dryflow cone. You pay shipping.
 
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