Questions on Cold Air Intake, I have the 2000 F-350 with 7.3, I'm wanting to know if I were to install one what if any changes would I see in HP/MPG?
All input appreciated,
David

 

Short answer, none.

CAI alone won't really net you anything unless your stock airbox is cracked or not sealing well, then the CAI will give you better filtration.

 

If your truck is totally stock probably won't notice much difference at all especially if your already good about keeping a clean air filter in your truck.

What you will do is prevent possible damage. The stock air box is known to warp and or crack over time and this can let in dirt and debris which is very bad for our turbos. The leading edges of the blades on the compressor wheel will erode or get what we call dusted. Then it will not be as efficient. If larger pieces get in it can take chunks out and do worse damage. Also anything that gets into the intake will be sent into the engine which can cause wear and damage.

If your planning on adding anything that will add power, bigger turbo, more efficient turbo wheel, bigger injectors, tuners or chips, anything along these lines then adding a cold air intake that will flow more air is done to get the most out of these add ons.

 

The CAI will introduce cooler air into the turbo, "assisting" the intercooler - as opposed the an open-element filter.


There is great debate as to how much this helps, if at all. Rather than dragging the reader through charts, graphs, and testimonials - I say this: If you have a scan gauge/tool and a CAI (stock or otherwise), watch/record the Intake Air Temperature as you drive. Then... pull the temperature sensor out of the CAI box and lay it where it can't fall into anything that would damage it, still connected. Drive under the same conditions (same outside temp, speed, grade, etc...) and watch/record the IAT again.


If there is a significant difference between in the box/out of the box - stick with CAI. If you can't see a difference on your truck with your situation, feel free to install one of those obnoxious noisemakers (open-element) and feel all warm and fuzzy about it.


Oh... did I forget to mention that? The CAI is much quieter than an open-element air intake. The Ford AIS is the absolute quietest intake with excellent filtration and is a great breather (much better than stock intake) - with stock injectors. Once you bump up your injectors from stock, the AIS no longer meets the intake demands. I chose S&B CAI dry filter to keep up with my AC160/100s and a GTP38R turbo with 4" exhaust. It's not as quiet as the Ford AIS, but it's a lot quieter than just about all the other viable options.