and just a regular air intake like K&N and etc? I have been wondering what the difference is for the longest time. I am interested in adding power and there are intake systems for 250.00 and above and some that say cold air intake that are 30.00 and above. My friend bought one for her mustange for under 70 bucks and notices a good diference. Can someone help me please?
Thanks

 

Your friend must have just gotten a performance filter. A cold air system replaces not only the filter, but the tube that connects the filter to the throttle body. The CAI (cold air intake) does boost hp ratings up from just the perf. filter your friend got. The reason is the stock air tube restricts the air going to the throttle body because if they didn't the noise would be too much for the non-enthusiast, so they add air restrictions which lower the noise volume in the cabin of the truck or car, but that also restricts airflow to the engine causing a decrease in horsepower. In short a CAI intake will replace everything up to the throttle body, while your friends just got a new air filter.

Also, the CAI made for our trucks arn't really COLD air intakes. Yes some do come with a heat shield but the fact that the intake is sucking in air right next to the engine kinda contradics (sp) the whole COLD part.

 

she actually has the tube and everything. I see CAI and short ram intakes and really dont know the difference. If I am to buy one for my 99 5.4 V8 truck, which one do I go after, the cold air or the short ram?

 

Has anyone came up with a spread sheet type comparision of the diffrent brands? Something that ranks added HP, MPG, price, ect If so please let me know.

Thanks
David

 

This is a cold air intake (CAI): sealed enclosure (with the synthetic NeverOil filter) www.outlawpower.com/productdetail.php?sc=1486
Notice that the enclosure protects the incoming air from drawing in heated engine air and mud/dust. The Outlaw Power goes for about $250 or so.

Here is another great sealed CAI: http://store.bankspower.com/Categori...7-ebad60077871 This system uses an oiled cotton filter and costs about $400.

This is a warm air intake (WAI): open to drawing in engine heat and dust: http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=57-2557 You will notice that on these type of intake systems (WAI), there will be much dirt and grime on top of the air filter itself. This indicates that the heated engine air is being drawn OVER the shield and into the engine.

 

Well a short ram intake is good, but does create alot of "heat soak" which means that it's pretty much taking in alot of hot air from the engine bay. A CAI or and enclosed system like the K&N or Banks etc etc will be preventing alot of "heat soak" form entering through the system by taking air from somwhere other than inside the engine bay. Just remember your engine will always run better if it's cooler.

 

JLT is probably the best intake for the 5.4 there is. I know they are getting 30+ rwhp with JLT and a custom tune on the 3V's.

For the 4.6L, Mike Troyer recommends the AF1 and a custom tune. I believe he has it dyno'd as having the best all around hp gain.

 

suavehorn,
What motor and what year do you have? There are many good intake out there, the more established companies have dyno plots available on their website. In my opinion, the overall best intakes are from Outlaw Power and AFE.

From: www.outlawpower.com/productdetail.php?sc=1486
This dyno plot is for the F150 2005 5.4L, it shows the Outlaw Power versus Stock versus K&N FIPK.

 

I have a 1999 5.4 V8 SIDO.

 

Ok so if what you call the (WAI) is intaking warm air if the stock intake is removed and the stock filter changed with a K&N would you acheive the same power as the (WAI)

 

Most likely no, just switching an air filter will not get you all the benefits of a WAI.

Power and Torque are enhanced by an intake by four main mechanisms:
1. air intake temperature: cold vs warm vs hot air, cold is best
2. air filter restriction: less restriction is better for more power/tq
3. inlet tube diameter/length tuning: correctly sized for engine's target rpm range
4. ram air effect: over 200 mph, this becomes effective, under 150 mph it is useless.