Cold air intake - is it worth it, and will it void the warranty

[texanjeeper]

I've seen blowhards on youtube talk about voiding the warranty if you do a cold air intake mod. I find that hard to believe, with the amount of people that do this. But, if I'm missing something, please clue me in on it so I will go into it with both eyes open.

Also, does it do much of anything besides give the engine a deeper growl? I've not seen anything that makes me think you truly increase horsepower or torque by doing this.

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[kevman65]

A CAI alone will give you a throaty growl and that is about it. Depending on filter media it can possibly allow more dirt to get through the filter.

A CAI + Tuner + aftermarket exhaust can gain you HP and the right tuner and the proper driving manners can gain you some MPG's.

As to a CAI voiding your warranty, MOPAR sells one.

 

[stil2low]

A lot of that came from the Chevy community, their stipulation was from running an oiled filter and the excess oil fouling the MAF sensor. They would then deny any engine warranty blaming it on the CAI
Now with that said, unless they can point to it being the cause of failure, much like a lift or any other aftermarket component it won’t “void” the warranty
A CAI isn’t worth the money unless you are planning to custom tune the engine. Without a tune, it won’t increase any performance and with most high flow filters they filter a lot less making them less restrictive. I’ve personally seen how much dust and debris a properly oiled filter can still allow through

Think of it this way, if it really did add better performance and MPG’s without huge negatives every manufacturer would run one. Hell we went back to a center disconnect axle just to save 1 mpg lol
If you want the sound, you can just cut off the stock intakes baffles haha

 

[kevman65]

With all that said, I am eyeballing the S&B CAI and hood scoops. The only concern I have is how the water would evacuate the system.

 

[jay21mojave]

CAI.. Calculate the cost per HP.. many claim x% increase.. EX.. 285 hp 3.6L and the claim is an 8% HP increase = 22.8 HP .. Cost of CAI in this case say $300.00 -- approx $13.15 per HP. Decision depends on you.. Its your $ get what you want.

 

[kevman65]

CAI.. Calculate the cost per HP.. many claim x% increase.. EX.. 285 hp 3.6L and the claim is an 8% HP increase = 22.8 HP .. Cost of CAI in this case say $300.00 -- approx $13.15 per HP. Decision depends on you.. Its your $ get what you want.

Most of the bigger companies have gotten away from HP claims and have moved to % greater air moved and % of efficiency of filter material.

What they don't tell the uninformed is that without a larger throttle body and different tuning for airflow the % increase is wasted.

 

[Haley]

CAI.. Calculate the cost per HP.. many claim x% increase.. EX.. 285 hp 3.6L and the claim is an 8% HP increase = 22.8 HP .. Cost of CAI in this case say $300.00 -- approx $13.15 per HP. Decision depends on you.. Its your $ get what you want.

Sound like money is better spent on a cool exhaust tip - that's probably, what, $5/hp?

 

[Deleted member 30519]

JLT performance makes an open air box with an S&B filter for $179..it uses the same OEM inlet. It gives a nice growl when you get on it.

 

[stil2low]

With all that said, I am eyeballing the S&B CAI and hood scoops. The only concern I have is how the water would evacuate the system.

If you are set on a intake system with a high flow filter and plan to take the Jeep off the pavement I highly recommend a dust boot to cover the filter. It really is alarming how much particulate can get through these filters
Only thing I run hi flows on are the corvettes

 

[kevman65]

If you are set on a intake system with a high flow filter and plan to take the Jeep off the pavement I highly recommend a dust boot to cover the filter. It really is alarming how much particulate can get through these filters
Only thing I run hi flows on are the corvettes

? S&B has a dust boot and I'd already checked that off in my head.

 

[foo.c]

Most of the bigger companies have gotten away from HP claims and have moved to % greater air moved and % of efficiency of filter material.

What they don't tell the uninformed is that without a larger throttle body and different tuning for airflow the % increase is wasted.

I can't imagine that the throttle body flows less than the filter, or that extra fuel won't be added to compensate for the extra air.

 

[Mr._Bill]

The CAI affects sound, but doesn't really offer a measurable performance increase. Warranty issues are usually dependent on the dealer. If warranty is a concern, then install the Mopar CAI. I put one of the Mopar CAI on my Overland. I like the cleaner look under the hood, and the sound.

 

[stil2low]

I can't imagine that the throttle body flows less than the filter, or that extra fuel won't be added to compensate for the extra air.

The throttle body is quite sufficient for the power ranges the pentastar can achieve, the problem is that Chrysler uses a speed density system on the pentastar. Unlike a mass air flow system that measures real time air flow and adjusts fuel trim accordingly, it uses air temperature and manifold pressure sensors to try and figure out air flow and then use the proper amount of fuel for those readings. It then relies on the o2 to fine tune the air fuel mixture.
Mass air flow systems can adjust to minor engine modifications like a CAI while a speed density can’t without a tune telling it has a higher flow intake

Also, a CAI doesn’t allow extra air in, only way to achieve this is forced induction or increase the bore/stroke of the engine.

 

[foo.c]

The throttle body is quite sufficient for the power ranges the pentastar can achieve, the problem is that Chrysler uses a speed density system on the pentastar. Unlike a mass air flow system that measures real time air flow and adjusts fuel trim accordingly, it uses air temperature and manifold pressure sensors to try and figure out air flow and then use the proper amount of fuel for those readings. It then relies on the o2 to fine tune the air fuel mixture.
Mass air flow systems can adjust to minor engine modifications like a CAI while a speed density can’t without a tune telling it has a higher flow intake

Also, a CAI doesn’t allow extra air in, only way to achieve this is forced induction or increase the bore/stroke of the engine.

Right, but fuel trims will adjust over time, up to a point.

I'm not going to pretend to be a pentastar tuning expert, but I think there is room in the tune for small changes like a CAI. I also think it's unlikely the TB is more of a restriction than the filter, but I can't say for sure.

 

[stil2low]

Right, but fuel trims will adjust over time, up to a point.

I'm not going to pretend to be a pentastar tuning expert, but I think there is room in the tune for small changes like a CAI. I also think it's unlikely the TB is more of a restriction than the filter, but I can't say for sure.

Unfortunately with the pentastar’s speed density system it will never see the CAI and trim for it. It doesn’t have that much of a fine tune to the mapping and really the only gain you would see out of the CAI is at WOT which it switches back to open loop at that point
The stock fuel maps it uses are more for elevation and temperature changes(summer vs winter) This is probably why you will hear some people complaining of knock or ping during the summer because of the ECU not being able to trim properly for the temperature, pressure and fuel quality

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