Diy cai?

[Mikedip7]

I was looking at ordering a CAI to start with for my truck . . And I've come to realize. The K&N CAI legit looks like a 3" pipe, and it's a filter, and splash guard? Has anyone built their own? And I have access to MIG, TIG welders and cutting equipment.

 

[usaf2006]

People have for sure. I've heard plastic pipe doesn't get as hot as metal. I got the airai modular intake tube which replaces the hemi hat with a 3.5" tube from the throttle body to the filter box. Simple but clean. Maybe you could make your own version of the ramhammer. 6" cone filter that narrows down to the throttle body size. Google it, you'll want one.

 

[Tray Burge]

Here's what I did with the Vararam, but I had to customize it to fit my 3rd gen and I improved on the air intake. This is the one you want.

 

[Casper]

It's really a question of what your time is worth.

I love my S&B, but that's for a 4th Gen. There was no way I had the time to go plumbing my own CAI when straight out of the box the install took all of 30 mins. I also don't have a garage so fabricating things takes on a whole new level of complexity.

You can easily buy the coupling for the TB, some PVC drain piping and a pretty good off-the-shelf filter element. The challenge is how to get cold air? Just sucking on the engine bay wont do that, although a better flowing filter and pipe without all the OEM ridges in the pipe will probably flow better. Either you have to kit-bash your OEM filter box or take it out to use its fender suction, but getting rid of the ole Hemi Hat has got to be an improvement regardless--that thing is all about noise suppression and ease of assembly, not performance.

If its just a project you're looking for, have fun with it.

 

[usaf2006]

Look at Siliconeintakes.com for silicone bends and aluminum pipe. You can make a decent setup for a little over $100.