Now I know this might sound like a silly question, but I'll ask anyway. I'm looking at putting a CAI on my 2000 F350 7.3 and have heard conflicting stories about which one. Prices vary somewhat between all brands (not much) and I'm usually a believer in "you get what you pay for". The K&N seems to be very popular, but heard from a friend that they are not necessarily the best to put on diesels....although he is a cummins fan. My boyfriend put an AEM on his cummins, seems to be a good one. I have been thinking about the AFE stage 2 on my 7.3. Feedback anyone? Is the popular K&N not worth it on diesels, or is this a dodge thing? Thanks!

 

The best band for the buck 7.3 CAI is the 6637 mod. There a many, many threads and tests on the topic. Do a search.

If you want a reusable filter, use the AFE <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <wontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->24-91042

 

As with many things in life, you will find lot of opinions. K&A are proven to let dust enter the engine.
My 7.3 come with Ford Severe Duty air filter. I put 40,000 miles on the new filter and the vacuum gauge barely move when I haul 25.000 lb with WOT for long time. Oil testing is proving the filter does perfect job.
Low restrictions, perfect cleaning job, expected 100,000 miles service from the single element ... what should I ask more for?

 

Welcome to FTE Meg. Not a silly question at all. You get the benefit of learning from others mistakes, so keep asking questions about any modifications you want to do to your truck. Odds are someone here has already done that and can tell you if it's worth the money or not.

K&N is a great filter, but it seems to have a problem when it's placed in front of a turbo charger that is worked hard. More airflow is great, but if it reduces filtration it can kill a turbo or in extreme cases dust the entire engine. AFE stage 2 is a great filter set up for your truck. S&B also makes a great intake. The 6637 is a disposable, do it yourself set up that tends to have a drone that some don't like and others love. If the drone becomes an issue, you can build a box around the filter similar to the AFE set up to make it better. We've got plans for the box down in the 7.3 section. Be sure to scroll further down the main forum listing and find the 99 - 03 7.3 diesel section. Do some reading there and ask any more mod type questions you have about your motor. You can also get in touch with Pete down there and order a filter cover for whatever intake you decide on.

Clay, one of the sponsors here has some pretty good prices on the different options. Riffraff Diesel: Intake Kits / Filters