Air Intake vs. Cold Air Intak, the difference/benefit?

[Exploderpilot]

Correct. there is a cleaning kit you buy that has the cleaner and the oil. gotta keep it oiled.

 

[Redtrac01]

K&N are never replaced, correct? They are just treated and washed?

You wash them and then re-oil them. I went with AEM because they have a dry reusable filter that doesn't require oiling after you wash it. The biggest drawback to oiled filters is getting them properly oiled... too little and it's not filtering right, too much and the oil can discharge into the intake and dirty up the MAF sensor. Stay away from cheap Ebay rip-offs and go with a name brand(K&N, Volant, AEM, MAC,etc).

KKM to my knowledge doesn't make the whole intake tube, just an open cone filter to replace the stock filter box and bracket to mount it and connect to the MAF sensor housing. If you require emissions testing, you'll want to get one that is CARB exempt.

 

[Donner]

This is very good advice... Thank you! I will ask the shop to hook me up (they're reading these posts, ha!) CARB exempt, I will do that... There are more Explorers and Ex Sports and SUTs in this are than I've seen anywhere... I'm certain the info here is going to help a lot of people... Thank you again!

 

[mounty71]

I'd say I'm sitting around 240 HP now after just my Flowmaster and CAI.

Wow, you think you gained 25 horsepower?! I honestly did not feel any difference with the intake and exhaust, i do love the sound though.

 

[chriswells78]

IMO those upper tubes on CAI's are paperweights. Unless your making big power or have a bigger MAF, throttle body, upper intake and such the stock tube carrys plenty of air. The stock tubes are usually bigger than the aftermarket tubes anyway.

When I did mine, I simply bought one of those Ebay MAF adapters for about $5 and bought a $50 K&N cone with a 3.5" mouth on it to fit the adapter. I placed the filter where the old air box was and it worked great.

 

[Exploderpilot]

he makes a good point. lots of guys on here have great results with pvc, although the intake companies will try to tell you that their bends were computer engineered for airflow.

 

[chriswells78]

Realistically, the stock 5.0 tube is almost 4" in diameter and almost straight. I'm not a rocket scientist but it doesn't take one to figure out that a 4" tube is going to carry more air than a 3-3.5" tube. I don't care how many computers you use to engineer your "bends"

 

[Exploderpilot]

unless you get a tornado!

 

[chriswells78]

lol

 

[ExploringNC]

Cunfused!!!

From what I've read and what little engine knowlage that I have I think people are confusing a true cold air intake with a low restriction air filter.

By replacing your stock filter with a KKM or a cone filter your only allowing better air flow, you are still pulling in warm air from the engine compartment.

A true Cold Air Intake will pull air from outside the engine compartment. This allows the engine to breath air that is at a colder temp and will allow for a better combustion.

I'm planning on doing a CAI by using a side vent on the right fender. I plan on sealing off the stock air box and rerouting the air threw the fender into the side of the stock box. This mod will serve several purpases in that I get a true CAI and also sort of a snorkal.

One question or concern that I have is that I think my mpg will go down with this mod. I'm sure horsepower will go up because of the better combustion with colder air but at the same time the engine is tuned to run air that is at engine operating temp. not outside air.

 

[Donner]

It is confusing...

Thanks! I discussed it with the shop and they said it's probably not worth the change right now... because I have 3 items remaining, that would be the 4th thing...

Will you post pics when you're done?