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View Full Version : Bang for the Buck CAI

GTCREAM17
05-08-2009, 06:58 PM
I'm Looking for a CAI, and wondering what are the thoughts on the various ones available? Looking around there are a few, Volant, K&N, AirRaid, and AEM. Im sure there is more but thats what i found. Which one puts out the best gains?

Thanks for opening a new site cause tahoeforum.com was great and i hope this one fills the spot.
Conor
05-08-2009, 07:32 PM
I love my K&N CAI. Could not be happier with it. I had a Volant on my Escalade that I recently sold and loved that one too. I have heard great things about the AEM but have no experience with one on a truck, but have on my old Acura.
From my experience, you cannot go wrong with either K&N, Volant or an AEM.
nc6600
05-08-2009, 08:40 PM
I personally don't have a CAI, but have heard good things about Volant.
Modded
05-09-2009, 03:50 AM
I think they're a waste on the 07 up Tahoes just like MAF sensors nd TB spacers, get a K&N filter and call it a day like I did.
road1will
05-09-2009, 08:59 AM
I've heard the AEM Bruteforce is the best
wmgood64
05-09-2009, 12:09 PM
I have volant with the power tube!
KMeloney
05-11-2009, 04:17 PM
I have volant with the power tube!

Any seat of the pants difference in acceleration? And real world difference?

Thanks.
R.Beezy
05-18-2009, 09:16 PM
dont go w/ anything that would directly expose the air filter to engine heat!! air filter + engine heat = loss of power. i'd say go w/ volant even though i've had no experience w/ it yet. if i do get a CAI, volant is who i'd go with...
shsportsfan12
05-18-2009, 09:27 PM
Everyone's heard differently....


The stock air box flows just as well as any other aftermarket unit...it's the tube that's restrictive. I already post pictures how to make your own ($30ish)... and that performs as well if not better then anything you can buy for $200+. Airraid makes a tube replacement. I think it's around $100 or so. The OEM filter does just fine, but if you want to drop anything in look for a dry filter. I'm not big on keeping anything OEM, but this is one of those things proven to be better (including better for your dime)
Sepiroth
05-18-2009, 09:52 PM
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774

nuff typed.
msj724
05-19-2009, 07:58 AM
I have had several CAI's in different cars, and have honestly never felt a difference in the way the cars drive. By itself, you probably will not feel a difference in you truck, but if you add it with an exhaust and tune you should definitely feel something. I am no expert, but I was told the CAI and exhaust systems complement each other. The CAI is sucking in more air, and the performance exhaust is there to release it from the other side. Stock exhausts are too restricted to make any difference with a CAI. Again, I am no expert just relaying what I have previously read. Whether you go with AEM, K&N, or Volant they are all reputable manufacturers. It is just a matter of preference, but they all do the same.
KMeloney
05-19-2009, 09:01 AM
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774

nuff typed.

What brand is that set-up?
Volant1
05-19-2009, 12:15 PM
Does my vote count?
gbleezy
05-19-2009, 12:32 PM
Does my vote count?


LOL....I knew you'd be in here sooner or later.
Conor
05-19-2009, 03:02 PM
dont go w/ anything that would directly expose the air filter to engine heat!! air filter + engine heat = loss of power. i'd say go w/ volant even though i've had no experience w/ it yet. if i do get a CAI, volant is who i'd go with...

There is really not much a difference at all between the Volant and the K&N from my experience. Both come with good heat shields. I have owned both, and from my experience, you cannot go wrong with either one.

Also, the AEM is decent, but it does not come with a heat shield, which means you will be sucking in a lot of hot air.
Volant1
05-19-2009, 05:35 PM
There is really not much a difference at all between the Volant and the K&N from my experience. Both come with good heat shields. I have owned both, and from my experience, you cannot go wrong with either one.

Also, the AEM is decent, but it does not come with a heat shield, which means you will be sucking in a lot of hot air.

Volant's kits come with a air box and is made of poly plastic, K&N uses a steel heat shield and in some cases a medal tube as well, medal transfers heat, heat kills the cool mass of air with is what make the power and mpg, we also offer a dry filter part number 152536 for 07, 08 153536 for the 09

---------- Post added at 04:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 PM ----------

LOL....I knew you'd be in here sooner or later.

Its in my blood and on my paycheck lol
road1will
05-19-2009, 05:35 PM
Volant's kits come with a air box and is made of poly plastic, K&N uses a steel heat shield and in some cases a medal tube as well, medal transfers heat, heat kills the cool mass of air with is what make the power and mpg, we also offer a dry filter part number 152536 for 07, 08 153536 for the 09

---------- Post added at 04:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:34 PM ----------



Its in my blood and on my paycheck lol

Yeah...that damn medal...
R.Beezy
05-19-2009, 05:49 PM
There is really not much a difference at all between the Volant and the K&N from my experience. Both come with good heat shields. I have owned both, and from my experience, you cannot go wrong with either one.

Also, the AEM is decent, but it does not come with a heat shield, which means you will be sucking in a lot of hot air.

ya like what volant said, the Volants come w/ an enclosed airbox and the K&N doesnt which is the main difference. the K&N heat shield doesnt do much IMO. id rather have it enclosed
fco_gonzo
05-28-2009, 01:06 PM
if you get a CAI and exhuast make sure you get a tune/programmer/something so you can get the benefits of those mods other wise you wont notice any change. BTW I'm using a K&N on my all vehicles no problems. All CAI are pretty much the same so you can't really go wrong.
eandj23
06-30-2009, 06:14 PM
So I am decided on the Volant CAI but need to know a place to get them at a low price (for an 07 Yukon SLT)
OMG its Jason
07-01-2009, 12:28 AM
I was able to get Volant CAI with the powercore filter AND a full Volant catback exhaust all for $518.00 shipped to my door.
CPMS
07-01-2009, 05:38 AM
I was able to get Volant CAI with the powercore filter AND a full Volant catback exhaust all for $518.00 shipped to my door.

What vehicle was this deal for and from where ??????? Cat backs for my 09 Tahoe are typically $700 and up ....
OMG its Jason
07-01-2009, 11:56 AM
Yeap.... this is for 07-09 style
Volant1
07-01-2009, 05:16 PM
Just an fyi the 07-08 are the same, everything changed in 09
eandj23
07-01-2009, 05:55 PM
anybody have a friend that sells Volant CAI's? I am looking to send some money their way for set-up :)
Conor
07-01-2009, 07:08 PM
ya like what volant said, the Volants come w/ an enclosed airbox and the K&N doesnt which is the main difference. the K&N heat shield doesnt do much IMO. id rather have it enclosed

Not sure what K&N's you have had on a Tahoe. Mine is all hard plastic and is fully enclosed, same as the Volant that I had.
CPMS
07-02-2009, 05:46 AM
Just an fyi the 07-08 are the same, everything changed in 09

What changed in 09? I thought 07-09 were pretty much identical as far as engine/trans goes. I'm curious since I have an 09 Tahoe Hybrid and am interested in both CAI and CAT back from Volant. Gotta get rid of at least the resonator they put on the Hybrid. It's huge, heavy and cuts almost all of the exhaust sound out.
Volant1
07-02-2009, 12:30 PM
Where are you located, I have lots of reiends that sell CAI's lol
eandj23
07-02-2009, 05:05 PM
I live in Watsonville, CA. (central coast) I am about 30 minutes south of San Jose.
4shongo
07-02-2009, 07:42 PM
I have owned just about every name brand out there. Not going to notice a big difference but they sound good when you give it the go pedal. Go on Ebay and buy one shipped for around $75 (make sure it has the filter box to block out the heat). I did on my last one and can't tell a bit of difference compared to my $250 CAI. Just make sure it has a washable filter. Then get a cat back exhaust (around $400 at most muffler shops) and a Black Bear Performance tune. Then you will tell a difference and only spend around $750 for it all. Good luck.
CPMS
07-02-2009, 09:45 PM
Where are you located, I have lots of reiends that sell CAI's lol

I'm on Oahu in Hawaii. Really looking to do both CAI and catback exhaust. I had a K&N kit on my old F-150, it had the metal tube and no airbox. Looked cool but didn't do anything as far as performance/gas mpg goes. Also added a little intake noise until I added a Borla catback system (then all you could hear was the exhaust when you mashed it).