should i return my cold air intake?

[the.cats.pajamas]

got it as a gift for my explorer, its K&N i offroad in my truck and i dont believe these intakes do much since my stock intake looks identicle. plus i heard the pvc pipe isnt good when it heats and the toxins release.

any input i know plenty of people use them here.

what about if i go mudding or drive through some big puddles and creeks?

 

[Joe Dirt]

You more need a snorkel setup if you're going to tackle deep water. If anyone can show me a substantial difference in power on an Ex (paper, not seat of the pants) after putting on a CAI, I'll eat a cookie. On a Mustang, maybe. But they're a good looking hype mod on an Ex, unless you have other things done. That's my .02

 

[celly]

i heard the pvc pipe isnt good when it heats and the toxins release.

Wow, that's the first I've heard that one. Where do these urban legends start anyhow?

Your truck is full of toxins when heated. Exhaust fumes come to mind. Given that the exhaust utlimately starts at the air intake, I wouldn't worry about that. I would give whomever told you that load of hooie a good slap upside the head.

 

[Scotty J.]

I have one on my ranger and I wheel quite a bit, never missed a beat.

 

[corkey]

if you go thru deep enough water the air intake is no good, ,
but also if you go through deep enough water there are alot of other things to worry about as well, like diff vents, and t case venting, maybe even the Transmission vent,

 

[techieman33]

If anyone can show me a substantial difference in power on an Ex (paper, not seat of the pants) after putting on a CAI, I'll eat a cookie.

What do you want dyno numbers or something? I can tell you there is a difference, maybe not a ton but you are gaining a little bit of extra power.

He never said anything about deep water, just said that he went mudding, etc and was worried about throwing mud and water up on to it. The filter is pretty well protected where it is, and if your concerned about it you can put a pre filter over it that will keep mud and water from getting into the filter itself.

 

[Scotty J.]

THIS is about as deep as *I* go, no problem there.

 

[Carguy3J]

You more need a snorkel setup if you're going to tackle deep water. If anyone can show me a substantial difference in power on an Ex (paper, not seat of the pants) after putting on a CAI, I'll eat a cookie. On a Mustang, maybe. But they're a good looking hype mod on an Ex, unless you have other things done. That's my .02

What do you want dyno numbers or something? I can tell you there is a difference, maybe not a ton but you are gaining a little bit of extra power....................

http://www.knfilters.com/dynocharts/57-2528_dyno.pdf

A little more then 8hp gain at peak. More importantly, there is at least as much gain, and maybe more, "under the curve". No, it's not a ton, but it's something, considering it's otherwise bone stock. Once you start doing any other mods, the CAI really starts to shine.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Exactly- after other mods. As it shows, 8hp. Ok- point taken. BUT- That gain is not evident in daily use. Even the chart shows- there is no noticeable gain until over 4k, and how many daily driver get there? Mine doesn't. If you're going to drive around at WOT all day, you have a lot more parts to upkeep besides an intake. Maybe "useful gain" is what was more appropriate to convey.

My point is that if someone is going to put a FIPK, on a bone stock Ex, and do nothing else, you're money is better spent on replacing worn suspension parts, or the like. There are a lot of other parts that will gain you more enjoyment like new weatherstripping to quiet a ride, new ball joints or sway bar bushings to quiet clanks and stuff versus a CAI.

It's just an opinion. Everyone has one, that's mine. If you want a CAI, cool- it's a free country- and I am eating a cookie in the spirit of the post, just because I'm surrrounded by tasty holiday cookies...

 

[Scotty J.]

Me, a FIPK Intake, JBA Headers and a SCT Tune.

Here is what my take is on all of that. It's not so much "gains" but that it feels different. Shift points and power band feel completely different than stock.

Well, then there is JBA Headers and a custom exhaust too LOL, I love the sound!

Bottom line, there are performance gains and there are cosmetic gains. I prefer a balance of both. It's my daily driver and I treat it as such, but it never ceases to amaze me off road.

 

[the.cats.pajamas]

thanks guys. i have the cai, msd wires, iridium plugs. have a msd iginition and coil i havent installed yet. plan on getting headers and exhuast in the next couple paychecks. and a throttle body spacer.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I think you're right, Scotty. It's a mating of mods... I think the tune has a lot to do with that. But, in teh correct combination, things can happen.

Custom exhaust? Do you have an exhaust clip for Sam?