Imput wanted on CAI

[327rat]

I am going to be picking up a AEM Brute Force intake this week and I need reasurance that I'm not throwing $250 bucks in the garbage!
Anyone out there put one of these on a first gen. with a V6?
What did you notice in performance, sound, and how is the heat shield setup like on this model? From the pics. on the web site it doesn't look like it isolates it from the engine compartment completely. Thanks for any imput.
Oh yeah, how was install?
Hopefully Gibson exaust system next month!

[dcobb]

Whether it's worth $250 is a debatable topic i would think. First off I don't have one on my truck and have only done the modded Air box. The main reason for my thinking on this is the fact that CIA appear to have such minimal gains for our 3.3L engine.

I remember reading posts of others who have put them on and think highly of them and i cannot argue for or against that. I have also read posts from people who have put other CIA on their truck vs simply doing the Airbox mod and couldn't tell much of a difference.

Do I think it's a waist of money? No, but I also don't think you should put your expectations that high as I believe you'll see gains of around 5-7hp. Now on the 2nd gen Frontiers, the gains are around 12 - 16hp

[327rat]

Your truck looks sweet dcobb! I like the stance of your lift...nice hight, not too crazy. I like those halo lights too.
My truck I use for work so I'm interested in getting a little more power out of it when I fill it up with rocks, cord wood or lumber. My rat racing days are over! I also want to beef up the suspention and have been looking into helper springs, lift a leaf springs and shackles....
With two kids and two morgages I don't have the money to spend on a full blown lift so I'm shooting for the tortion bar crank and some kind of upgrade to the leaf springs to get me a little more air space in the fender wells. Any ideas?
What hitch is that on your truck and how much?
I always had full size chevys with a V8 so going to a V6 was a little ruff. But the mileage is much better and it handles like a sports car compared to my Blazer.

[beefy242]

Originally Posted by dcobb

Whether it's worth $250 is a debatable topic i would think. First off I don't have one on my truck and have only done the modded Air box. The main reason for my thinking on this is the fact that CIA appear to have such minimal gains for our 3.3L engine.

I remember reading posts of others who have put them on and think highly of them and i cannot argue for or against that. I have also read posts from people who have put other CIA on their truck vs simply doing the Airbox mod and couldn't tell much of a difference.

Do I think it's a waist of money? No, but I also don't think you should put your expectations that high as I believe you'll see gains of around 5-7hp. Now on the 2nd gen Frontiers, the gains are around 12 - 16hp

the new Mustang Cobra GT500's make like 58 more horses out of a K&N CAI... i had no idea how restrictive some companies could be. and that was a rear-wheel dyno, not predicted, so it was running about 441hp max i think...

your VQ35 wont get as much out of a CAI as the VQ40s will. It will be a little louder, and you will notice more of a gain when you stomp on it. Thats pretty much it. Its the same for every vehicle.

[dcobb]

Thanks Rat! For an inexpensive lift do just what you mentioned and go with cranking up your torsion bars up front and get some bigger shackles or add a leaf spring for the rear. My whole kit was only $600 but also came with shocks as well as upper control arms which help correct the angle. You don't need that though and can spend way less for 2-3" lift.

The hitch I have is the OEM one and normally does not show as it's tucked behind the bumper, but the body lift I have exposes it. Get it from Courtesy parts if the shipping doesn't kill ya

[daves d22u]

my throttle response got better and i can hear the sc more. thats my answer and im sticking to it.

but if it makes you feel any better AEM makes the NISMO intake for the 1st gen.

[Hitman86]

Dude check out my truck I have one and it's the bomb.

Just do a search on AEM Bruteforce and there are about 3 threads I have started.

To be honest $250 is a little much, I got mine for $223 and I have seen them cheaper.

here are a few links.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.gripmotorsports.com/pi~pn~AEM+Brute+Force+Air+Intake+System+Nissan+Fro ntier-196.html

http://autosportstyle.com/shop/nissa...e-p-40751.html <<<<<<< (Best price I think)

http://www.istoreparts.com/brute-for...a-p-14918.html Still a good price

[07Frontier]

I had one on my 01 Frontier and it did provide a more responsive throttle but no power gains (that I could feel). The heat shield left a lot to be desired as it does not touch the engine bay sides, thus allowing mud and dirt to get to the filter (took mine offroad a lot and spent a lot of time cleaning the filter). If you don't go offroad, then it is not a bad mod. If you do, I would find another CAI that seals the filter from the engine bay or just get a drop-in filter and do the air box mod.

[houdini]

i put on the K&N FIPK CAI and i picked up around 65 hp! (just playing)

same as everyone else. minimal HP gains. nice sound, easy to clean, forever filter, better throttle response, etc. combine it with an exhaust system and you might even squeeze out an additional few HP.

later.

[02BayAreaFront]

I got the K&N intake system for 180 only because I work for Kragen auto parts. Did notice slight increase in gas mileage, not performance, alot louder when on the throttle I like how it sounds.