Cold Air Intake (CAI) - Should I even bother? (Moved)

[stealthsrt8]

I've got a stock CSRT/8 and contemplating adding a Cold Air Intake. The only reason I want to add one is because I've read different threads that say it helps with performance.

I'm not going to add one just because it "sounds" better, or because it "looks" better, those are added benefits. If it's going to help my engine, then I'll add one, that's the bottom line.

My choices are between the Mopar CAI and the K&N CAI (Yes, I've read about the Ultimate Air Hammer, but I'm not going to spend that much for one). Keep in mind, this will be the ONLY peformance mod I plan to make.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with this question, so be gentle with me, I'm still learning about this stuff.

[Johnny Vig]

Originally Posted by stealthsrt8

I've got a stock CSRT/8 and contemplating adding a Cold Air Intake. The only reason I want to add one is because I've read different threads that say it helps with performance.

I'm not going to add one just because it "sounds" better, or because it "looks" better, those are added benefits. If it's going to help my engine, then I'll add one, that's the bottom line.

My choices are between the Mopar CAI and the K&N CAI (Yes, I've read about the Ultimate Air Hammer, but I'm not going to spend that much for one). Keep in mind, this will be the ONLY peformance mod I plan to make.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with this question, so be gentle with me, I'm still learning about this stuff.

I have been contemplating the same thing, and although the Ultimate Airhammer is a bit expensive, you do get what you pay for. I would rather spend more for the Hammer and get some performance bang out of it. If you don't care about performance then just buy a K&N drop in filter and call it a day.

[phillips2024]

its not a big performance adder. not too noticeable..i buy it first for the sound..then the looks..then the performance

[Mrnemo]

what ultimatecarman said.

[Brick Tamland]

Strange, you want to add a filter because you heard there is a performance gain, yet there are only two that have been proven but you do not want to pay for those.

If you buy any other than the AFE or the Hammer, you are paying for looks and sound...

[stealthsrt8]

Originally Posted by Brick Tamland

Strange, you want to add a filter because you heard there is a performance gain, yet there are only two that have been proven but you do not want to pay for those.

If you buy any other than the AFE or the Hammer, you are paying for looks and sound...

thanks to all for comments.

regarding being "strange"...that's a legitimate observation. if i had posted a note on "what CAI should i buy?" then mostly likely all i'm going to get is HAMMER, HAMMER, HAMMER. from what i've read on this forum i know the HAMMER is the way to go for a performance boost. but by eliminating the HAMMER from competition, i wanted to verify the others were more sound and look improvements, and performance lastly, if any.

moral of the story for me is, "if you don't go HAMMER, don't go at all".

[T1000]

Not to hi-jack but since we're on the subject - what about Volant? Any opinions vs. Air Hammer?

[mikeguil]

I've added the Mopar CAI and Zoomers to my CSRT8 with an amazing "seat of the pants" gain in power. Though I have not been to the track and don't intend to, the car "feels" to have much more power, along with with the sound that was always missing from the stock setup. Even with traction control on, the car tends to break sideways when under full acceleration due to the tremendous torque....

[fatchance]

Check out AFE Stage 2, this is what Hammer copied, in fact it's their air cleaner that he uses. You might want to PM FF2MOE who had a K&N and changed to the AFE. He said that it was well worth the the cahnge and that there was a difference.

[Johnnyvav]

[quote=stealthsrt8;414284]........Keep in mind, this will be the ONLY peformance mod I plan to make......quote]

Sure it will be! Famous last words of a doomed moder.


I added the dub air intake whenI had my 300C & it made a bid difference contrary to what most people post here. Although I already had headers, hi flow cats, & Borla Cat Back.

The SRT has a less restrictive exhaust system then the stock 300C. A CAI should, at the very least, should give you a bump of about 10 RWHP without modding the rest of the exhaust. A drop in K&N filter, 4 or 5 RWHP.

BTW, the sound will make you think you added 30 RWHP & the look on spectators' faces when you pop the hood is priceless. The first time you show it to someone who's face lights up in amazement, you'll know the money was well spent. So don't underestimate look and sound. Hence the addiction to moddin begins .................