cai which is the best?

ike43 · Aug 28, 2010

i want to get a cai for my 06 5.7, after reading what all the manufactures claim you get, what do you guys think is the best for hp gain, i think the airraid system claims the most,

The Assassin · Aug 28, 2010

Honestly, a CAI isn't going to give you more than maybe 3-5 hp. Combine with other mods, such as exhaust and what not, you'll get better performance. Volant or Airraid or a similar "box" set up probably will give you the most. Generally, the style like I currently have, the AEM one, will do nothing but suck in hot air and water. Also, keep in mind, these manufactures want you to buy their product. So, the hp claims might be a little "misleading".

0212353 · Aug 28, 2010

On my 08 Hemi I had an Airaid. Then a BFI, then a Vararam.

Hands down..........the Vararam kicked ass.

glass3222 · Aug 28, 2010

I have a vararam and I love it. As long as you do not off road your truck, I would suggest it.

ike43 · Aug 28, 2010

do you need the viper hood for the vararam? or where does it pick up the cold air , the only pic of a vararm ive seen looks like a shaker

Deviate · Aug 28, 2010

From everything I have read, a home made PVC CAI with a K&N cone filter will work as well as many of the expensive name brands. And you can make one for a fraction of the price. But there is a trade off....

A PVC CAI, even painted, can't really look sexy. But it is very cheap and provides similar benefits when compared with a name brand.

If you don't care about the cost, the vararam seems like the best choice. They have a cool look, if you like that style, and provide very good results (comparatively speaking). But like glass3222 said, you don't want to be taking it offroad or through deep puddles for that matter. You can see pics of the vararam if you just do a google search for images for Dodge Ram Vararam Intake.

Personally, I am considering a homebrew dealy just because I'm cheap like that. And I remember George (Rubberfrog) saying how having pretty things under his hood made him feel like he had to keep it clean all the time. lol

Jay will probably be a long shortly with a link to a cheap CAI that is nice and shiny.

Bad Habit · Aug 28, 2010

find a mopar knock off at carparts wholsale i think its like 80 bucks

0212353 · Aug 28, 2010

ike43 said:
do you need the viper hood for the vararam? or where does it pick up the cold air , the only pic of a vararm ive seen looks like a shaker

the vararam gets its ram air from a bumper mounted scoop. the plastic piece between the fogs - where the tow hooks would go - thats where its mounted.

BAMA BOY · Aug 28, 2010

how could i make me one that wouldn't suck water because i do offroad my truck

0212353 · Aug 28, 2010

hook it up to a snorkel?

glass3222 · Aug 28, 2010

The vararam definitely gets cold air. I have monitored the air intake temperature sensor reading with my Diablo and it always reads within 1-2 degrees of the outside air. You will not get cooler air than that with any other CAI.

truckin151 · Aug 28, 2010

Not doubting the Vararam any but my AFE is in the engine compartment and is within 3* of the outside temp via the AI gauge.

rocket · Aug 28, 2010

The home brew , if done correctly nestles the air cone behind the right side headlamp assemby, precisely where the truck is designed too pick up the cool outside air. there is ample protction from water as long as you do not go bogging. Then all bets are off. Some systems I've seen have The stck box with a home made pvc pipe tp the tb. But either way wiil get you into trouble if the water gets deep enough. I dunno what type of offroad you prefer. My set up is not bad, I've driven it in a friggen monsoon and it remained dry. Here's a few pic's.

Redtruck-VA · Aug 28, 2010

All I have used has been a K&N 77 model. I believe it is one of those mods that does little on it's own but is needed to make the overall package perform. Of course from just looking at the different units the BFI has the most kool factor.

glass3222 · Aug 28, 2010

truckin151 said:
Not doubting the Vararam any but my AFE is in the engine compartment and is within 3* of the outside temp via the AI gauge.

Are you running a power wire?

Nice sig pic btw

truckin151 · Aug 28, 2010

Nope no powerwire yet, I'll have some time here soon and will get one made up along with a few other things

glass3222 · Aug 28, 2010

Ok. I was just wandering since it lowers the temp that the AIT sensor reads.

truckin151 · Aug 28, 2010

When you think about it, even though you are pulling air down low and directly from outside it still has to pass through the engine bay and around all the hot items there before it hits the filter which is sitting on top of the engine so unless you heat wrap the intake tubes you are still going to pick up residual heat. From the sounds of it though you are still a degree or so lower than mine. There was a vararam online that I was thinking about picking up as the guy only wants $150 for it but if I did that I would want to modify the intake tubes a little

glass3222 · Aug 28, 2010

Thats not a bad price. I have been very happy with mine, but I also do not have anything to compare it to other than the stock intake.

truckin151 · Aug 28, 2010

Well if the guys still has it Im going to buy it and try it out. I need to replace the MIT tube or fab a new one to work with my AFE setup but AFE wants $150 for the replacement parts and you have to buy a TB spacer so if I buy the Vararam intake and try it out and find out it doesn't work as well or I like it better either of the two setups will easily sell for $150 or so so its not a loss by any means

Edit: NVM the guy sold it already, oh welll.

cai which is the best?

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