[eckemoff]

So my stock air filter was obviously dirty after 9500 miles and I was planning on installing a CAI system, but then eventually decided against it.

Quick summary on the K&N filter: It does work better than paper. Throttle response increased slightly making the truck feel more preppy (maybe due to replacing dirty filter) and MPG did increase by about 1 (not enough data atm though). Overall, flooring it did increase acceleration, but general driving the difference is insignificant.


My reasons not to install CAI system:

1. Cost - will be over $350 for quality parts... I rather eat out 20 times with my girl or buy a 2 years supply of fuel additive, which noticeably improves MPG and performance across the board.
2. Time - will take a whole morning or evening to do, which is a hassle and I am too busy
3. Lower MPG - b/c you have will floor it more and overall, more air in engine = more gas burnt = less MPG
4. Quirky issues - some buzz, some give engine codes, some change the pedal response requiring more or less throttle, and some install plain weird...blah...blah...a lot of people report LOSE of power in lower RPM....being this is a truck, I like my lower RPM more than high RPM
5. Potential mechanical problems - messing with design can always cause issues, but notably, some CAI systems trap water, which may get sucked into engine
6. Louder sound - neat at first, but will get tiresome (rather listen to music than my engine suck air) and is also illegal
7. Only HP improvement at higher RPM - lower RPM actually suffers and higher RPM is only when I floor it, which is rare
8. Warranty issues - dealers made it clear that they do not want to fool with CAI trucks for many reasons and Nissan reps highly recommend not fooling with it because of issues people had in the past...blah..blah
9. Resell or trade in issues - any mods are look down (dealers remove them) on and stock is preferred and I plan to trade in this truck after warranty expires
10. I like closed-box - most CAI are open box, which is a bad idea when going off road, such as the beach
11. Reliability issues - there would always be that thought in the back of my head "maybe the CAI I installed will cause an issue," compared to "I have it stock...if there is an issue, I will call my dealer and they will fix it"

Not saying getting getting a CAI is horrible, but I don't think it is a good idea. Nissan would have put a CAI on the manufacturing line if they though it was a good idea... and it wouldn't cost them much. I don't think they did because of potential issues...they were playing it safe, giving the truck the historical high reliably that it is has.

 

[ToddG]

they were playing it safe, giving the truck the historical high reliably that it is has.

^-- That right there is the number one reason vehicles don't come from the factory with a CAI.
Same reason vehicles are "de-tuned" and offer lower performance in general compared to what they are capable of, to help ensure longevity of parts.

I'm willing to accept that performance increases probably means a shorter life span on parts in general.
In the short run it's worth it to me, especially since I never keep a vehicle for more than 50-60k miles.

EDIT: I had a K&N drop in before my CAIs (Nismo first and now a Volant) and there is a noticeable difference to the positive with the CAI just for the record.

 

[Hazekillax]

What was the total cost by the end of the project???? I'm looking into putting 1 into my nism0???

 

[ffips]

For the record, there is a K&N competitor out there called Spectre that has a similar drop in filter at a fraction of the cost.

 

[2WD_NISMO]

My reasons not to install CAI system:

1. Cost - will be over $350 for quality parts... I rather eat out 20 times with my girl or buy a 2 years supply of fuel additive, which noticeably improves MPG and performance across the board.
2. Time - will take a whole morning or evening to do, which is a hassle and I am too busy
3. Lower MPG - b/c you have will floor it more and overall, more air in engine = more gas burnt = less MPG
4. Quirky issues - some buzz, some give engine codes, some change the pedal response requiring more or less throttle, and some install plain weird...blah...blah...a lot of people report LOSE of power in lower RPM....being this is a truck, I like my lower RPM more than high RPM
5. Potential mechanical problems - messing with design can always cause issues, but notably, some CAI systems trap water, which may get sucked into engine
6. Louder sound - neat at first, but will get tiresome (rather listen to music than my engine suck air) and is also illegal
7. Only HP improvement at higher RPM - lower RPM actually suffers and higher RPM is only when I floor it, which is rare
8. Warranty issues - dealers made it clear that they do not want to fool with CAI trucks for many reasons and Nissan reps highly recommend not fooling with it because of issues people had in the past...blah..blah
9. Resell or trade in issues - any mods are look down (dealers remove them) on and stock is preferred and I plan to trade in this truck after warranty expires
10. I like closed-box - most CAI are open box, which is a bad idea when going off road, such as the beach
11. Reliability issues - there would always be that thought in the back of my head "maybe the CAI I installed will cause an issue," compared to "I have it stock...if there is an issue, I will call my dealer and they will fix it"

Eckemoff. You are over analyzing things WAY too much and are missing the point of modding -- the fun factor, and that's a shame. Yes, technically mods are not cost-effective, that is to say, do not give a commensurate increase of power with dollars spent and do entail some risks.
On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with keeping it stock if mods don't float your boat and you don't need to justify it if you go that route, either.

 

[HKYStormFront]

Eckemoff. You are over analyzing things WAY too much and are missing the point of modding -- the fun factor, and that's a shame. Yes, technically mods are not cost-effective, that is to say, do not give a commensurate increase of power with dollars spent and do entail some risks.
On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with keeping it stock if mods don't float your boat and you don't need to justify it if you go that route, either.

this^^ also, if you haven't done the "air box mod" yet, you wasted your money because the K&N filter will be ruined in about 10k miles too... and +1 for a little gain out of a CAI setup (i had the K&N FIPK) but also +1 for it not really being worth the full price unless you buy it used. there are some good closed box ones out there tho like the volant that are the best of both worlds

 

[domoMKIV]

Throttle response increased slightly making the truck feel more preppy

I want my truck to feel more like a football player

 

[TheOregonFront]

So my stock air filter was obviously dirty after 9500 miles and I was planning on installing a CAI system, but then eventually decided against it.

Quick summary on the K&N filter: It does work better than paper. Throttle response increased slightly making the truck feel more preppy (maybe due to replacing dirty filter) and MPG did increase by about 1 (not enough data atm though). Overall, flooring it did increase acceleration, but general driving the difference is insignificant.


My reasons not to install CAI system:

1. Cost - will be over $350 for quality parts... I rather eat out 20 times with my girl or buy a 2 years supply of fuel additive, which noticeably improves MPG and performance across the board.
2. Time - will take a whole morning or evening to do, which is a hassle and I am too busy
3. Lower MPG - b/c you have will floor it more and overall, more air in engine = more gas burnt = less MPG
4. Quirky issues - some buzz, some give engine codes, some change the pedal response requiring more or less throttle, and some install plain weird...blah...blah...a lot of people report LOSE of power in lower RPM....being this is a truck, I like my lower RPM more than high RPM
5. Potential mechanical problems - messing with design can always cause issues, but notably, some CAI systems trap water, which may get sucked into engine
6. Louder sound - neat at first, but will get tiresome (rather listen to music than my engine suck air) and is also illegal
7. Only HP improvement at higher RPM - lower RPM actually suffers and higher RPM is only when I floor it, which is rare
8. Warranty issues - dealers made it clear that they do not want to fool with CAI trucks for many reasons and Nissan reps highly recommend not fooling with it because of issues people had in the past...blah..blah
9. Resell or trade in issues - any mods are look down (dealers remove them) on and stock is preferred and I plan to trade in this truck after warranty expires
10. I like closed-box - most CAI are open box, which is a bad idea when going off road, such as the beach
11. Reliability issues - there would always be that thought in the back of my head "maybe the CAI I installed will cause an issue," compared to "I have it stock...if there is an issue, I will call my dealer and they will fix it"

Not saying getting getting a CAI is horrible, but I don't think it is a good idea. Nissan would have put a CAI on the manufacturing line if they though it was a good idea... and it wouldn't cost them much. I don't think they did because of potential issues...they were playing it safe, giving the truck the historical high reliably that it is has.

wow man you really wasted bandwidth posting this thread? this is rediculous. what did you think you were gunna prove with this? your not steering anybody away from a CAI. anyone on there right mind knows a CAI and what it can do. if your smart with it you will have zero problems. you went waaay overboard buddy. are you one of those germaphobe people that walk into bathrooms and dont wash your hands because your too against what germs are on there ,and what they are doing, what they can potentially do and just why germs are bad?
:crikey:

 

[PBRdbsb]

So my stock air filter was obviously dirty after 9500 miles and I was planning on installing a CAI system, but then eventually decided against it.

Quick summary on the K&N filter: It does work better than paper. Throttle response increased slightly making the truck feel more preppy (maybe due to replacing dirty filter) and MPG did increase by about 1 (not enough data atm though). Overall, flooring it did increase acceleration, but general driving the difference is insignificant.


My reasons not to install CAI system:

1. Cost - will be over $350 for quality parts... I rather eat out 20 times with my girl or buy a 2 years supply of fuel additive, which noticeably improves MPG and performance across the board.
2. Time - will take a whole morning or evening to do, which is a hassle and I am too busy
3. Lower MPG - b/c you have will floor it more and overall, more air in engine = more gas burnt = less MPG
4. Quirky issues - some buzz, some give engine codes, some change the pedal response requiring more or less throttle, and some install plain weird...blah...blah...a lot of people report LOSE of power in lower RPM....being this is a truck, I like my lower RPM more than high RPM
5. Potential mechanical problems - messing with design can always cause issues, but notably, some CAI systems trap water, which may get sucked into engine
6. Louder sound - neat at first, but will get tiresome (rather listen to music than my engine suck air) and is also illegal
7. Only HP improvement at higher RPM - lower RPM actually suffers and higher RPM is only when I floor it, which is rare
8. Warranty issues - dealers made it clear that they do not want to fool with CAI trucks for many reasons and Nissan reps highly recommend not fooling with it because of issues people had in the past...blah..blah
9. Resell or trade in issues - any mods are look down (dealers remove them) on and stock is preferred and I plan to trade in this truck after warranty expires
10. I like closed-box - most CAI are open box, which is a bad idea when going off road, such as the beach
11. Reliability issues - there would always be that thought in the back of my head "maybe the CAI I installed will cause an issue," compared to "I have it stock...if there is an issue, I will call my dealer and they will fix it"

Not saying getting getting a CAI is horrible, but I don't think it is a good idea. Nissan would have put a CAI on the manufacturing line if they though it was a good idea... and it wouldn't cost them much. I don't think they did because of potential issues...they were playing it safe, giving the truck the historical high reliably that it is has.

You might be better off buying a new truck every time the air filter gets dirty.

 

[davidapplewhite]

Most shade tree mechanics can put in a CAI in 45 minutes. (Or at least I did). I haven't noticed a change either way in MPG. I have noticed a big change in throttle response and high rpm Hp. without any noticable change in the bottom end either way. My K&N isn't any louder than stock unless you have you foot in it. I find it hard to believe that if you maintain consistant driving habits allowing your truck to breathe better is going to harm the dependability or longevity of the vehicle( I would think it helps it). And when I trade my truck in I have the stock air box that can be put on in 45 minutes. I probably took you 25% of the time to do this review that it would take to put on your CIA. This is all opinion on whether its worth it. I would say to you its not worth it . It just looks like you didn't think it was a good investment and found the worst case senerio of aspect of the CAI. Just wanted to stir the pot a little LoL!

 

[nissanmadness]

^-- That right there is the number one reason vehicles don't come from the factory with a CAI.
Same reason vehicles are "de-tuned" and offer lower performance in general compared to what they are capable of, to help ensure longevity of parts.

I'm willing to accept that performance increases probably means a shorter life span on parts in general.
In the short run it's worth it to me, especially since I never keep a vehicle for more than 50-60k miles.

EDIT: I had a K&N drop in before my CAIs (Nismo first and now a Volant) and there is a noticeable difference to the positive with the CAI just for the record.

^+1! To gain something performance wise, sometimes you have to give up something OEM. It's the ultimate trade off. But who says you can't have fun along the way.

 

[VoodooSaint]

K&N filter is a great way to keep it entirely OEM while adding on a few ponies and saving cash in the long term vs throwaway filters, they also stay cleaner slightly longer.

If you want all of this except you want more response, sweet underhood look, and you're willing to put in the extra cash and elbow grease then an aftermarket filter is the way to go

all depends on what you want really! And if you think aftermarket CAIs are a crock of crap then I'll agree with you on part, some designs give you a big open filter for all that extra throttle response and HP(eg aem, k&n, nismo, airraid but if you want a true CAI to get more torque, then you need to grab a Volant or design your own scoop. If you want a mix, then the Ingen and OEM box mod are the way to go

 

[eckemoff]

Holy ****!!!

This is apparently a hot topic.

I'm simply making a post to recommend a K&N filter for this truck instead of getting an aftermarket CAI system.

All my points for not wanting a CAI have truth in them. Some on them you all are not concerned about.

 

[rcr_kx250f]

uh...but they don't. name one problem caused by a CAI.

 

[4floored]

Yah this write-up took longer then it would have taken you to install a CAI. hahaha

 

[HKYStormFront]

All my points for not wanting a CAI have truth in them. Some on them you all are not concerned about.

no they are not... period

 

[NCFronty]

I put my Airaid Quickfit CAI in in about 15 minutes. If you don't want to mod your truck there is absolutley nothing wrong with that, but why post then about why not to? Useless thread.:thatswck:

uh...but they don't. name one problem caused by a CAI.

The only possible problem is people who use oiled K&N type filters that way over oil them, causing the excess oil to be drawn into the intake tube, cling to the MAF sensor, heat up, and burn it out. Thats why I use a dry filter, no oiling.

 

[NissanTy]

this will get locked, i can see it, but i have had my k&n intake on my truck for 5 out of the 6 years i have had it and it has gave me NO PROBLEMS.

 

[rcr_kx250f]

I put my Airaid Quickfit CAI in in about 15 minutes. If you don't want to mod your truck there is absolutley nothing wrong with that, but why post then about why not to? Useless thread.:thatswck:



The only possible problem is people who use oiled K&N type filters that way over oil them, causing the excess oil to be drawn into the intake tube, cling to the MAF sensor, heat up, and burn it out. Thats why I use a dry filter, no oiling.

I mentioned that. but it doesn't really count as a problem. people are just stupid. It's like the guy that keeps driving with his oil light flashing.

 

[HKYStormFront]

I mentioned that. but it doesn't really count as a problem. people are just stupid. It's like the guy that keeps driving with his oil light flashing.

not quite that stupid but yeah, if you just follow the re-oiling instructions, you have ZERO issues...