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Ok there has been a lot of debate about the factory air box vs Steeda CAI and the gambit of opinions.
On the you need a CAI opinion side: the factory air box doesn't flow well, to restrictive, hinders performance and in general is a POS.
On the factory air box is just fine side: it flows good, the turbos will pull all the air they need, the CAI is actually a HAI (hot air intake), Performance drop ins like AFE or K&N work just as well, and there is a big mouth snorkel coming.
So I got to thinking, before I just bail off and grab a CAI because it "the way to go" how can I see if I am restricting my engines air need with the factory air box. Hmm how about a filter minder? If you are not familiar with these they attach to the post filter side of the air box and have a spring loaded diaphragm that as your filter becomes dirty or restrictive the vacuum or suction created by the engine compresses the spring and it is reflected on the visual gauge. Most diesels have these on the air boxes.
Simple install find a spot, back side by battery, drill a hole in air box lid and install grommet then minder. That simple. Then it's just a matter of running the car and checking the gauge to see if the air box is truly limiting air flow. Link to minder...
K&N 85-2445 Filter Minder Push In Air Filter Service Indicator | eBay
I'm thinking I'll install minder, test the install with the factory air filter then drop in an AFE Pro Dry S air filter and run it again. It's not an exact science but it will tell me what I want to know and maybe save me a couple hundred bucks. On the bonus side I'll have a visual reminder to clean my filter.
FYI when I first tuned my 7.3L power stroke I actually collapsed the factory air box because of the extra boost the tune generated and how restrictive the stock air box is. From there I installed the Ford AIS system that runs the Donaldson filter (they make filters for the Abrams tanks) with a fender port mod and have never looked back.
On the you need a CAI opinion side: the factory air box doesn't flow well, to restrictive, hinders performance and in general is a POS.
On the factory air box is just fine side: it flows good, the turbos will pull all the air they need, the CAI is actually a HAI (hot air intake), Performance drop ins like AFE or K&N work just as well, and there is a big mouth snorkel coming.
So I got to thinking, before I just bail off and grab a CAI because it "the way to go" how can I see if I am restricting my engines air need with the factory air box. Hmm how about a filter minder? If you are not familiar with these they attach to the post filter side of the air box and have a spring loaded diaphragm that as your filter becomes dirty or restrictive the vacuum or suction created by the engine compresses the spring and it is reflected on the visual gauge. Most diesels have these on the air boxes.
Simple install find a spot, back side by battery, drill a hole in air box lid and install grommet then minder. That simple. Then it's just a matter of running the car and checking the gauge to see if the air box is truly limiting air flow. Link to minder...
K&N 85-2445 Filter Minder Push In Air Filter Service Indicator | eBay
I'm thinking I'll install minder, test the install with the factory air filter then drop in an AFE Pro Dry S air filter and run it again. It's not an exact science but it will tell me what I want to know and maybe save me a couple hundred bucks. On the bonus side I'll have a visual reminder to clean my filter.
FYI when I first tuned my 7.3L power stroke I actually collapsed the factory air box because of the extra boost the tune generated and how restrictive the stock air box is. From there I installed the Ford AIS system that runs the Donaldson filter (they make filters for the Abrams tanks) with a fender port mod and have never looked back.