'24 AT4 Gas S&B CAI

[fcodxdart]

Well I was researching to see if installing one would benefit me in the slightest and I couldn't find much in the way of the HD gas truck. But i found a lot for half ton trucks. I went ahead and decided I'll be the guinea pig and try it out.

I installed it last night and followed all their instructions, it took about an hour from opening the box to closing the hood, (however, I did leave the battery unhooked for an addition hour and 30 minutes).

Not sure if it's placebo but it does feel more responsive and a bit more peppy. Just enough to notice I suppose, nothing crazy. I don't really notice much of a change in the engine noise. It still seems quiet, maybe a slight bit louder but not much at all. I towed with it last weekend about 250 miles and I'll be towing this weekend again. I wanted to get it installed before this trip to see if there is any difference at all. I'll report back in a few weeks after I've had time to "break it in".

I do realize even if there is an HP or torque gain it might be infantismal if any, however it does seem different. Either way the money has been spent and it isn't going back.

 

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[yzf1999]

Looking forward to your testimony…I have the same truck and am considering the same CAI.

 

[Whaler27]

Well I was researching to see if installing one would benefit me in the slightest and I couldn't find much in the way of the HD gas truck. But i found a lot for half ton trucks. I went ahead and decided I'll be the guinea pig and try it out.

I installed it last night and followed all their instructions, it took about an hour from opening the box to closing the hood, (however, I did leave the battery unhooked for an addition hour and 30 minutes).

Not sure if it's placebo but it does feel more responsive and a bit more peppy. Just enough to notice I suppose, nothing crazy. I don't really notice much of a change in the engine noise. It still seems quiet, maybe a slight bit louder but not much at all. I towed with it last weekend about 250 miles and I'll be towing this weekend again. I wanted to get it installed before this trip to see if there is any difference at all. I'll report back in a few weeks after I've had time to "break it in".

I do realize even if there is an HP or torque gain it might be infantismal if any, however it does seem different. Either way the money has been spent and it isn't going back.

The timing of this thread is remarkable. I just had a LONG rant about CAI on the HD side:

CAI hogwash and marketing hype

 

[fcodxdart]

The timing of this thread is remarkable. I just had a LONG rant about CAI on the HD side:

CAI hogwash and marketing hype

I actually read it after I had already installed it. I had been researching on and off for a couple months since ordering the truck and I was torn on it. Considering it was 350 bucks I was willing to take the risk just to see for myself if it would do anything.

I knew going into it that it wasn't gonna be some magical change that just made the truck wildly different. However I just wanted to see if i could tell a difference. I never put it on a dyno before and I don't plan on doing it now. I don't have any hard numbers on the performance. It's purely a subjective investigation. Would I recommend it, I don't know yet. Though I wouldn't say not too if someone was convinced at this point.

The one thing that gives me pause with your post is you mention that the best minds are working on these yet look at boeing and you have the plane falling apart in the runway in the sky. Boeing was one of the greatest companies at building planes and now anything new they put out is trash. Some of those greatest minds overlook the simplest solutions that may sometimes be better.

Also these manufactures have to design these engines with fuel emission restrictions in mind. Now I'm sure they are still trying to get every ounce of power out of those engines while being within those regulations. They still have to be mindful of them. The aftermarket parts simply don't.

I 100% agree that an aftermarket CAI alone isn't going to be incredible but I have to imagine there is some change. There just has to be since you're removing some restriction and adding more air, albeit, even if its just a bit. But I will say I'am no expert and would absolutely not argue this point with the belief that I'm right.

 

[Whaler27]

I actually read it after I had already installed it. I had been researching on and off for a couple months since ordering the truck and I was torn on it. Considering it was 350 bucks I was willing to take the risk just to see for myself if it would do anything.

I knew going into it that it wasn't gonna be some magical change that just made the truck wildly different. However I just wanted to see if i could tell a difference. I never put it on a dyno before and I don't plan on doing it now. I don't have any hard numbers on the performance. It's purely a subjective investigation. Would I recommend it, I don't know yet. Though I wouldn't say not too if someone was convinced at this point.

The one thing that gives me pause with your post is you mention that the best minds are working on these yet look at boeing and you have the plane falling apart in the runway in the sky. Boeing was one of the greatest companies at building planes and now anything new they put out is trash. Some of those greatest minds overlook the simplest solutions that may sometimes be better.

Also these manufactures have to design these engines with fuel emission restrictions in mind. Now I'm sure they are still trying to get every ounce of power out of those engines while being within those regulations. They still have to be mindful of them. The aftermarket parts simply don't.

I 100% agree that an aftermarket CAI alone isn't going to be incredible but I have to imagine there is some change. There just has to be since you're removing some restriction and adding more air, albeit, even if its just a bit. But I will say I'am no expert and would absolutely not argue this point with the belief that I'm right.

I agree with your point on Boeing. Darn discouraging. But I suspect their problem has more to do with lousy quality control and bean-counters shaving costs. Boeing seems to be pretty smart on the design front.

On your point about more air, that was my belief too. It just makes sense, but the side by side dyno tests with the motor being run with no filter at all seems to kill that theory.

I was with you on the personal assessment too — the seat of the pants test — but when my brother and I timed our trucks to 60 we couldn’t show it. I think we just assumed it had to be true because of all the marketing rooted in sensible arguments… That and the sound of the turbos spinning had us hooked…

I can’t speak to the emissions piece, as none of the test reports discussed any potential emissions impact.

 

[yzf1999]

I don’t know if it’s fair to compare if a CAI works on a turbo diesel to how it would work on a naturally aspirated engine (6.6L)…I would guess it would perform better on the gas motor because of the lack of forced air from turbos. You might actually be able to tell if it was doing something.

 

[Whaler27]

I don’t know if it’s fair to compare if a CAI works on a turbo diesel to how it would work on a naturally aspirated engine (6.6L)…I would guess it would perform better on the gas motor because of the lack of forced air from turbos. You might actually be able to tell if it was doing something.

Perhaps, and I've done no testing (other than our Wrangler which is a poor example).

On the other hand, they all marketed great improvement on the turbo diesels. (All lies). And they did the same on the turbocharged Ecoboost in the Ford Raptor (all lies).

Once somebody (or a company) has been caught lying a few times I stop trusting their claims.

 

[yzf1999]

I understand your point of view…hopefully the O.P. rights up his report soon and I’ll use his experience to make up my mind if I want to get the S&B cold air intake…I like the 6.6 gas motor, but it does seem to be restricted in power. I have no need for another diesel motor.

 

[fcodxdart]

I'll continue to post about it as long as I feel there is more I can add. But this past weekend I towed with it and its so difficult to say if there was any improvement or not. Fuel economy wise it seems unchanged, power wise maybe just slightly better getting up to speed. However cruising with the trailer I don't notice any difference.

I will say Friday on my way home I saw higher numbers on my fuel economy instant reading, this was without towing. They have continued to stay "higher" but it will take a while before I make any conclusive statement on my part if it improved at all. For example I'd say if my average was 13 prior, it might be 13.5-14. I have another tow trip starting Tuesday next week.

 

[fcodxdart]

Another thing to add from install. S&B mainly suggests to leave their optional air hole open to the engine bay. It's on the part of the box towards the passenger side of the truck. After reading through their whole instructions it says if you are in a warmer climate to close it. Since we are on the gulf coast of Texas I have left it closed. It might be a slight pain to try and put back on once its off but i bet it can be done without too much cursing.

That would allow more air, but in theory, warmer air. I may test taking that off soon just to see what happens.

 

[yzf1999]

Are you using the red oiled filter or the white dry filter?

 

[fcodxdart]

Are you using the red oiled filter or the white dry filter?

oiled.