Is there any difference between the K&N 57-2556 (15.47 HP @ 3829 RPM) and the K&N 77-2556KP (9.53 HP @ 3725 RPM)? There is a price difference, and its chrome @$359.99 vs black hose @$319.99 online through K&N.

I am no grease monkey but want to improve my truck as much as I can with my limited knowledge and mechanical ability. What is the difference and is there any air intakes that are better for less money?

It seems everyone has a differing opinion on if the air intakes help out or not, you drive harder because it sounds better or feels better, or it does nothing. I just want to know, what is the best buy for my truck, without breaking the bank!

 

I gave $80 for mine off of Ebay and it came with a K&N filter.

 

the plastic duct kit is better due it it does not hold engine bay heat like the chrome steel one will. And I personally think open filter intakes are useless, a enclosed filter performs much better without sucking in engine bay heat air.

 

Get the Banks CAI!!!! Its a bit pricey but VERY WELL designed...

 

DarrenWS6, what is the difference and what are open filter or enclosed filter intakes?

 

Open filter intakes are open filtered obviously, sucks any air it gets in. Without a Ram Air type of induction its not as useful as it could be.


Enclosed draws in air like the OEM intake does, draws in cold air which is better for induction rather than hot temperature under hood air.

 

I like how much bigger the second air intake tubing is too...looks like it allows for a much greater amount of air flow...what brand is that? Does it have a plexi-glass top?

 

the second pic is a S&B air intake. Just remember bigger is not always better. Physics dictate that the air will flow faster in a smaller tube than a larger one. You've done this 1000 times with a garden hose when you try to spray something off your vehicle and didn't have a nozzle; you put your thumb over the end and increase the pressure......thus getting faster flowing water.

I have an Airforce 1 CAI that came with my truck. Supposedly its the best for our trucks. I'm not that impressed with it and personally think there is more quality in a K&N or AEM or the S&B. Its a chrome tube with a big oval filter. It gets the job done and thats all I can really say. Airforce 1 is out of business I believe.

Do a search for the "Gotts Mod". I'd actually like to have it over my Airforce 1 setup. You modify the stock intake and put in a K&N drop in filter. Again, when I bought my truck it already had the Airforce 1 and didn't have the stock intake. I personally believe the best "bang for your buck" is the Gotts Mod. And remember you will need an exhaust to get the most benefit. Air in and air out!--------DirtySCREW

 

I did the gotts mod... worked great. Tuner very soon so the results should be even better!

 

My cheap one is all open with no heat shield...

 

with a cai your truck may run lean so you are also going to need custom tunes if you get one.

 

I run the 77 series and i was worried about the temp getting hot with it open and metal but my edge programmer is always set to display the intake temp and it always reads just a couple of degrees warmer than the actually temp so I think its not that bad

 

^ ? really ? That's neat! That makes me feel better about my cheap one!

 

+1 so true

 

The S&B kit is cheaper and performs better. Shouldn't need to ponder the subject any longer.