7.3 Cold Air Intake
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Yes, i get them on all my trucks.
To me it just makes the engine feel more free and unrestricted.
It sounds amazing, and makes the throttle more responsive.
Now whether or not this translates to better actual HP/TQ numbers is debatable, but it sure feels like it.
To me it just makes the engine feel more free and unrestricted.
It sounds amazing, and makes the throttle more responsive.
Now whether or not this translates to better actual HP/TQ numbers is debatable, but it sure feels like it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 515
From: WNY
No, none at all.
Modern air filters flow incredibly well, and unlike “high flow” aftermarket filters, they actually do the job they are there to do.
Modern air filters flow incredibly well, and unlike “high flow” aftermarket filters, they actually do the job they are there to do.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
and if you have used a decent aftermarket air intake system before, you would know immediately that there is more airflow than a stock system.
You may not think it’s necessary, and I agree for some people it’s not, but saying that there’s absolutely nothing to gain from it is wrong.
And I’ve used them on my Ford trucks for 10 years and I’ve never had a problem with these systems not doing the job they are supposed to do. They filter air just fine when installed correctly.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,957
Likes: 1,362
From: NY/Canada border
Just one guy's opinion. NO. If there was a mileage increase it would be so negligible that you'd have to drive the truck forever to recoup the money spent on the intake. I think any power increase is just in the mind of a hopeful spender.
I tried a CAI that I picked up for a great price on a 5.4 F150 back in the 1990's. My mileage actually decreased. I took it off and Craigslisted it.
I did have some luck with a CAI on a 1997 7.3 diesel. K&N hardware but ditched their filter for a Donaldson marine water resistant type. But along with it I also replaced the restrictive downpipe and did some other improvements.
I tried a CAI that I picked up for a great price on a 5.4 F150 back in the 1990's. My mileage actually decreased. I took it off and Craigslisted it.
I did have some luck with a CAI on a 1997 7.3 diesel. K&N hardware but ditched their filter for a Donaldson marine water resistant type. But along with it I also replaced the restrictive downpipe and did some other improvements.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 8,076
From: Texas
Just one guy's opinion. NO. If there was a mileage increase it would be so negligible that you'd have to drive the truck forever to recoup the money spent on the intake. I think any power increase is just in the mind of a hopeful spender.
I tried a CAI that I picked up for a great price on a 5.4 F150 back in the 1990's. My mileage actually decreased. I took it off and Craigslisted it.
I did have some luck with a CAI on a 1997 7.3 diesel. K&N hardware but ditched their filter for a Donaldson marine water resistant type. But along with it I also replaced the restrictive downpipe and did some other improvements.
I tried a CAI that I picked up for a great price on a 5.4 F150 back in the 1990's. My mileage actually decreased. I took it off and Craigslisted it.
I did have some luck with a CAI on a 1997 7.3 diesel. K&N hardware but ditched their filter for a Donaldson marine water resistant type. But along with it I also replaced the restrictive downpipe and did some other improvements.
2. 2011 Ford Super Duty, 6.2 gas V8
Bought slightly used, with less than 10,000 miles on them. Both had aftermarket intake installed by previous owner.
Jeep had a K&N; Ford had an AIRAID. I ran both of them with the aftermarket for a number of months (I don’t remember just how long). I converted both back to stock.
Both vehicles got better fuel milage after converting back to stock.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
A lot of the cheaper "Cold Air Intakes" like K&N and the like, are detrimental to power production. The cone filter *sounds* fast with the WHOOSH of air coming through it. The "less restricted" hotter air that it is drawing from the engine bay will create less power than the denser air that the heavily researched and developed factory intake was drawing in. There are some well engineered intake systems for some platforms that do offer colder, denser, ambient air as well as a less restrictive path to the intake, but you'll pay heavily for them, for very little gain on an otherwise stock engine.
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 77
Likes: 20
From: New Hampshire
It is my opinion that most aftermarket CAI on newer cars are far less effective then they may have been 15-20 years ago. That's just my experience. I think the modern engineering has made factory intakes more free flowing. I think in part because of the gas milage regulations an having to squeeze evey ounce out they can.. I used to always buy intakes.. But the past several vehicles I've had, in looking at the design an research is seems generally they are not as effective, an to me not worth the rediclous prices for a bent tube an a filter. I feel it's mainly for added engine noise at this point.. I mean my factory 2020 F350 has it routed right to the front of the truck getting plenty of cold air. How much can they possibly improve on that? But some folks will still swear by them. Placebo effect IMO..
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 8,076
From: Texas
It is my opinion that most aftermarket CAI on newer cars are far less effective then they may have been 15-20 years ago. That's just my experience. I think the modern engineering has made factory intakes more free flowing. I think in part because of the gas milage regulations an having to squeeze evey ounce out they can.. I used to always buy intakes.. But the past several vehicles I've had, in looking at the design an research is seems generally they are not as effective, an to me not worth the rediclous prices for a bent tube an a filter. I feel it's mainly for added engine noise at this point.. I mean my factory 2020 F350 has it routed right to the front of the truck getting plenty of cold air. How much can they possibly improve on that? But some folks will still swear by them. Placebo effect IMO..
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 314
if you like the sound of an intake i would wait until a sealed intake system is available from someone like S&B.I'm also a fan of dry filters vs oiled. the stock systems do flow as much and maybe more then a stock engine needs. personally if your gonna do an intake you might as well do a tune too.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
They might flow better. Well they actually do but just because your engine could get more air doesn't mean it will. I see at the advertisements claiming XYZ over stock but its always air flow never HP gains that alone should just show people that they don't do much. In the end i will not buy them and put my money into something else.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 232
Likes: 99
The factory airbox & filter are fantastic in regards to flow & filtering performance. I just wish someone made an aftermarket tube that went from the throttle body to the factory airbox, that way getting rid of the god awful monstrosity there now.
