Read before buying a CAI

lgrt · 12-15-2008, 11:21 AM

We all get excited by our new mods and tell everyone we know how its the best (fill in product name here) on the market and we explain all the reason we choose product X. But over time does that glowing praise fad, or are you still pleased with your purchase?

Well here is a write up, Long-term Report - K&N Cold Air Intake This report follows a year of use in all sorts of conditions, and reflects our real world experience with the K&N CAI for the the FJ Cruiser.

Hope it helps others choose the right CAI for their needs.

**Mtbcoach** · 12-15-2008, 12:01 PM

Glad to see that they checked the install and cleaned the filter in the 30k of use.

I'd say that if they didn't check the filter with enough frequency that it rubbed the paint off and created a hole in the wire mesh of the filter, they didn't pay much attention to the maintenance of the vehicle.

Just another good example of over-engineering an already competent design of the FJC. There is nothing wrong with the CAI on the FJC off the showroom floor. Improving the air flow and ease of maintenance with a higher quality filter than paper is a smart move...

FreshChip119 · 12-15-2008, 12:19 PM

time to confess
i to have had some of these problems
hot air im sure im getting there shield isnt the best
my intake has also jumped of the tube but not recently as i have adjusted sum things
i also got a lil mud and water on the intake due to river crossings etc.
i have the filter wrap which is a big help though
the bottom of my kn filter has also ate away the paint and caused the rubber to melt and get all over it realli sucks but cant do much now
still love the noise and there is a huge difference in power at the right rpm

***Layonnn*** · 12-15-2008, 12:40 PM

I don't think i ever understood the design of the K&N. besides it having a better flowing filter, i would think the stock one would be better for an offroad vehicle with how open the K&N is.

I still think the TRD is the most water tight and effective, especially when paired up to da snorkel

Brock · 12-15-2008, 12:47 PM

i always thought the Volant CAI was the best....fully enclosed box vented to outside with a good non oiled filter....but they kind of went away..for re-engineering I think along with their snorkel design.

that being the case...I chose to keep my factory intake and replaced filter with one from AMSOIL and much happier...and nothing gets by the rubber seal of the filter..it actually seals...imagine that. LOL

good read though...thanks.

lgrt · 12-15-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Mtbcoach previously said:

Glad to see that they checked the install and cleaned the filter in the 30k of use.

I'd say that if they didn't check the filter with enough frequency that it rubbed the paint off and created a hole in the wire mesh of the filter, they didn't pay much attention to the maintenance of the vehicle.

clearly you have not bombed down 500 miles of wash board gravel and dirt in single day. Checking the rig on a regular basis was a daily complete inspection as well as quick checks at fuel stops on the 6,000 mile trip... so you may not want to speculate on the maintenance of the vehicle. The issues describe were caught early and prevented bigger issues, but we still felt they should not have occurred if K&N would have made a few changes (improvements) to their design.

***Wikid*** · 12-15-2008, 05:21 PM

I'm suprised they had no mention of the condition of the throttle body/buttrerfly Maf sensor. K&N does not filter well for any kind of off-road use. They lets tons of dirt through. I will never use a K&N again.

***Layonnn*** · 12-15-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

puulboy previously said:

I'm suprised they had no mention of the condition of the throttle body/buttrerfly Maf sensor. K&N does not filter well for any kind of off-road use. They lets tons of dirt through. I will never use a K&N again.

This is what i have heard about them as well.

rider77 · 12-15-2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

FreshChip119 previously said:

time to confess
i to have had some of these problems
hot air im sure im getting there shield isnt the best
my intake has also jumped of the tube but not recently as i have adjusted sum things
i also got a lil mud and water on the intake due to river crossings etc.
i have the filter wrap which is a big help though
the bottom of my kn filter has also ate away the paint and caused the rubber to melt and get all over it realli sucks but cant do much now
still love the noise and there is a huge difference in power at the right rpm

filter wrap? is that the foam pre filter that covers the actual filter element? if so, where did you get it, ive been looking for one of those.

Quote:

layonnn previously said:

This is what i have heard about them as well.

comparing my friends stock paper filter (changed after each offroad use) and my TRD CAI (cleaned after each offorad use) our MAF sensors and throttle body were both just as dirty. make what you will of it but if you drive offroad you are bound to get some dirt in your engine. I have thought about getting rid of my CAI cuz its not a big improvement over stock but I just cant seem to convince myself its bad for my car...I clean my intake, MAF sensor, throttle body, and change my oil often.

**Mtbcoach** · 12-15-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

lgrt previously said:

clearly you have not bombed down 500 miles of wash board gravel and dirt in single day. Checking the rig on a regular basis was a daily complete inspection as well as quick checks at fuel stops on the 6,000 mile trip... so you may not want to speculate on the maintenance of the vehicle. The issues describe were caught early and prevented bigger issues, but we still felt they should not have occurred if K&N would have made a few changes (improvements) to their design.

Assuming that is the case, it might be an important factor to note on such a "tech" article, reviewing a product. It certainly wasn't clear in the page you linked that this evaluation was under such conditions...