Cold Air Intakes

[satfico]

Are cold air intakes effective or just a waste of cash that can be spent elsewhere on the Gladiator?

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[Gvsukids]

Are cold air intakes effective or just a waste of cash that can be spent elsewhere on the Gladiator?

Reading,
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/cold-air-intake-what-are-the-pros-and-cons.59409/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...worth-it-and-will-it-void-the-warranty.46904/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/cold-air-intake-benefits.47920/

 

[Jaxmax]

So many threads on this search it out ! The consenus is they give basically no more HP to your engine, and if you get the oiled type you might cause more problems. That said I have two Jeeps both with the Mopar CAI, using the mopar high performance paper filter, and like that the engine compartment is very open, like the sound and swear on the seat of my pants that at upper end it has more power, but will be accused of just justifying the money I spent. People that know me know justifying spending is not my thing. There are other mods you can spent money on, although a lot of mods people do have no improvement in engine performance, Ha!.....Jack

 

[OVERLORD]

I popped the Mopar, cleanable, "High Performance" Air Filter in. That is all.

 

[Mr._Bill]

If you get a CAI, I would recommend the Mopar CAI. It offers no measurable performance benefit, but looks and sounds better.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Since engineers are trying to get "best in class" performance while meeting CAFE requirements, they aren't exactly keeping secrets or holding things back. Goal is small engine, big power, great MPG. If they can increase any of that with a simple part swap, they'd have done it.

Unless you are racing your Jeep and sticking up in the 5,000+ RPM range, you've got more air flow than required already (without changing multiple other parts)

If you get a CAI, I would recommend the Mopar CAI. It offers no measurable performance benefit, but looks and sounds better.

Yup.

Dang, I just lost 10 points for using "race" and "Jeep" in the same sentence.

 

[obrianmcc]

There is a YT comparison video posted between the S&B system and stock. Don't get me wrong ... I think S&B make some quality products, but in this case ... or on the dyno there was an actual performance decrease based on the numbers. Other systems may vary ....

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Dyno tests can also be deceiving as there's no time for the PCM to adjust if needed, and, you aren't driving with air smacking the front of the vehicle like it would on the highway. So you can't really even go fully by that. It's an "indicator" but not the end of the story.

I watched a guy do one on a Ford full-size pickup with a V8. He got a mild gain - at very high RPM. As he said, you'd need to drive at a sustained speed where you kept your RPM up over 5,000 (thus my use of that number here and there) to see any difference at all.

Why? because at normal driving RPM - you've got more than enough air.

 

[Jtschnel]

Are cold air intakes effective or just a waste of cash that can be spent elsewhere on the Gladiator?

Following a thread about increasing fuel mileage, I put on AFE CAI and AWE exhaust on my 2020 JT Rubicon. I have not noticed any increase in mileage and if there was an HP increase, it is negligible. That certainly doesn't mean others have done better but would I do it again, probably not. The exhaust is mounted higher so there is a benefit of less chance of smashing it on the rocks.

If there is a do-over for me in the future, that is a new machine, I would probably not opt to repeat the CAI and exhaust change.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Yeah, they will give you about 15 to 20 extra HP and torque plus the money you will save because of the better mpgs. I mean not sure why FCA didn't install one from the factory. I guess their engineering department needs a revamp?

Ignore the numerous threads that claim they don't give you any performance gains, what do jeep owners know.

 

[charliez]

they will give you about 15 to 20 extra HP

I put two of them on and got 30 to 40 extra HP

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The exhaust is mounted higher so there is a benefit of less chance of smashing it on the rocks.

Benefit right there.

As far as exhaust - having followed performance exhaust for years, and seen real life tests on pipe sizes and lengths, bigger isn't always better on exhaust.
A guy who races, I believe Pontiacs were his car of choice, showed that you could actually reduce the size of the tail pipe without detrimental effect. As he explained, and correctly so, after the exhaust has moved back so far, it's cooled and contracted - the volume of gas moving out is smaller at the tail end. You don't need a big pipe back there. Too large also can reduce and scavenging effect of exiting exhaust. You want the exhaust to pull as it leaves. So reducing the size of the the final feet can help that.
It's a lot of science. But people see big pipes and things opened up and equate that with performance.

I had straight pipes, 2.5", back from the collectors to the mufflers on one of my cars. I had those pipes removed and formed smaller pipes put on, with tail pipes out the back. No decrease in performance.

 

[HorneyBadger]

Just a warning...If you have a 100k powertrain warranty, when it comes time for the warranty inspection, the dealer may have you remove the CAI!. Been there and done that on the wifes jeep. Never put it back on.

 

[satfico]

Thanks all. Love the passion behind all of these responses!

 

[Mr._Bill]

Just a warning...If you have a 100k powertrain warranty, when it comes time for the warranty inspection, the dealer may have you remove the CAI!. Been there and done that on the wifes jeep. Never put it back on.

That's one of the reasons why I put on the Mopar CAI, even though it was more expensive. It 'looks' like a factory option.

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