I was wondering if anyone has a detailed comparison of all the air intakes made for the 5th gens?

I'm looking to buy one right now and would love to find out the pros and cons of each available model..

This would make a good FAQ, as well, for others who are just as clueless as myself..

 

Well, let me try, I haven't used any personally but from what I've read on here and what I know about engines and whatnot, here goes:

OSCAI: Ooglie stock cai. Modify the intake lid by connecting a tube that runs to the bottom of the engine bay to provide a second source of cold air, usually coupled with a panel K&N. Provides a few extra horses (I think like 4-5, could be wrong), has been said to gain .1-.2 in the 1/4, does not sacrifice low end torque and does not increase intake noise. Cost...~$25

JWT Popcharger: Cone filter with straight pipe tubing. Replaces the stock airbox and intake tract. Does not use K&N Filtercharger, uses a generic brand instead. Adds a nice intake sound. Gives a few more horses (i think like 6-7) and good gains in the 1/4. Some people do not like the fact that it cna suck up the hot air from the engine. Is said to sacrifice low end torque in exchange for the power up top and some believe that it is counter-productive in otherwise stock automagic daily drivers. Cost...~$65

Stillen Hi-Flow: Virtually identical setup to the JWT except it replaces the generic filter with a K&N cone filter. Some say this flows better and gives a bit more power. Noise, torque, and power are almost identical to the JWT in most aspects. Cost...~$170

PRCAI: Place Racing CAI. This replaces the stock airbox, tubing, and lid. Runs straight piping farther away from the engine and places a K&N cone filter at the end. Requires a hole to be drilled in the car. Gives more horses (i think 7-9) than the others and similar gains in the 1/4. Gives a noticeably louder and more aggresive intake sound and is said to not sacrifice low end torque. Cost...I dunno, like $300 or so?

Well, thats all i can think of. There are different versions of OSCAI that some people run. Most people will say to try the oscai (hey, its only 25 bucks) before deciding to try a more expensive manufactured intake. PRCAI, is definately the best of the bunch, but some do not like the extra noise or the fact that they have to drill a hole in their car, or the 300 dollars...

 

Some have complained that the Stillen and JWT pop chargers have created a valve knocking or a pinging in the engine that goes away when the intake is removed. You can get the PRCAI cheaper than $300. There are almost always a group deal or something and get them in the ballpark of $210-240.

The OSCAI costs a little more than $25 if you want to get quality components with most people reporting a range from $45-50.

I personally just went with the PRCAI b/c I liked the sound and got in on a good price. But one thing you have to remember with this ... it'll make your butthole pucker in the rain! Yes it puts the filter right down there where you could suck water into the engine (translation ... YOU'RE SCREWED if you don't know much about engines!) I personally haven't had any problems and it rains here quite often, but it makes you more cautous to where you are going and puddles!

 

I was thinking about getting the PR CAI through Greg's group deal.. the cost is $210 shipped.. how much did you pay? He's also got the AEM bypass valve to prevent water from getting in the pipe..

where do they have to drill the hole? what kind of sound does it make? tell me more tell me more

 

I got mine for the same price about 4 months ago. It sounds nice. The hole has to be drilled into the driver's side fender. It goes right under the fuse box attached to the fender just in front of the battery. Check out the "how to" section under maxima.org and you can find the CAI install instructions there.

 

cool, i'll check it out

thanks for the info guys

kev, you should use all this info for a FAQ

 

I don't know about the PR CAI. What I do know is that the popcharger does work better than OSCAI. So far the JWT popcharger gave me the best performance on the track. It's probably two tenths better than OSCAI. I gained 6 HP at the wheels as well. OSCAI is a nice, inexpensive, easy modification that helps a little less. It's also less loud. BTW- I never had pinging problems when I had my popcharger.

 

You've got an auto i noticed. Does the popcharger make you lose a lot of low-end grunt in daily driving (not WOT). I was kind of interested, but I didn't want something for only a few races that would make me like driving the car less. Also, I've heard people say that gained .1 or .2 from oscai, so you think you gained around .3 or .4 with the popcharger? that's pretty good.

 

I could... but you could also. Anyone is free to post as long as it is useful.

 

When I took off my JWT popcharger and went back to stock, I noticed a bump in low end torque. The popcharger lowered my time from 16 to 15.5. I went back to stock and my ET's rose. OSCAI brought me down to 15.7 at another track. OSCAI 2.0 gave me 15.8, but I think it had something to do with the track. I'm going back to the other track I did the previous testing to give me better data. Hell, I should just go back to the cone intake again.

 

I took my OSCAI tubing off and am left with just the K&N filter. I saw no gains/losses with the OSCAI tube in place or removed. It looked like crap and didn't do anything I could tell. My .02

 

The only one is specific that I can remember was Punkdork. He said he had pinging with the JWT, and that's why he went to the OSCAI. I do remember others complaining, but I don't remember who. It was those dicussions when I was in the market that led me to the PRCAI as an option. It just so happened that the group deal was going on and the rest is history.

 

is a CAI really worth it?

 

Why did you bring up an old thread on an even older subject that is beaten to death at least 3x week?

 

Reading the Stickies is more worth it:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=368622

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=36867

 

its worth it if you want to drill a hole in your fender well and then try to explain it to the dealership. i just got a WAI and i love it, even though i lose low end i dont mind at all, but thats just my .02

 

We need an icon of someone kicking a dead horse

 

How about this?

 

That's fukin terrible!

J/K

 

how about INJEN CAI?? Does it perform well compared to others.
Please post some pics

 

I had a new years resoulution to be nicer to people. This is all im going to say....READ!!!! Look at the stickies im sure they arn't there for decoration. Maybe they accually serve a purpose! LIKE PROVIDING INFORMATION SO WE DON'T HAVE THREADS LIKE THIS!!!

/yourself.

 

the differences between all intakes are so minimal, i'd say just go wit cheapest one

 

True dat, buy a Berk or Frakencar, or even MAKE your own intake, from what I see, all you need is (2) 3" hoses, (4) 3" clamps, and a 3" short metal pipe. You can get a breather filter from Kragen or Autozone. Buy an adapter and filter from ebay, I think it's "adapter #6"

 

For the love of GOD. This thread is just under 5 years old.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=36867 <<< READ IT DAMNIT