Looks like most of you are going for the C&L CAI. It looks pretty sweet. But, the Steeda looks comparable and they are claiming the same HP gain on their web site - 26 HP/22 lb-ft - as C&L claims on theirs, after tuning of course. And it costs about 1/3 as much. Any one care to comment on their preferences, or why they chose one or the other? From some of the posts, it looks like the warranty is gone once you tune, ouch!

 

C&L: Quality, Craftmanship, Top rate technical support, Performance, Long history of winning at the track, and it Look's good too. That about some's it up.

 

There are a few posts about this very topic. Do your research! JLT is half the price of C&L and has reported better gains.

 

I bought the c&l for looks, tech support, and gains in that order. Cast aluminum items look sweeeet under the hood. When I get my headers I will have to get chrome caps and stuff just to make my motor's looks keep up with the C&L.

Tech support was great. Many questions and several hours later, I bought one. I was given full attention, even before I bought the item.

My gains to 290 rwhp and 309 rwt were pretty good. Stock is about 255 rwhp.

I also believe that additional mods will not require much more than a slight adjustment of fuel intake, which I can do myself with the Diablo Predator.

 

Sorry if the post is a dup. I checked a few pages deep and couldn't find any thing just on CAI. And the site won't let you search on three letters. - posts mixed in with various other topics seemed to be heavy in favor of the C&L. Thanks for posting on the JLT, it looks good - plastic is probably better than metal for this application. But, I couldn't find anything on the JLT website jlttruecoldair.com on gains with the S197. But, there is a post from Tucker of JLT on corralnet JLT CAI that claims big gains - 39 HP/35 ft-lbs. I'm convinced!

 

I have the JLT and am very happy.

 

Sorry to hijack this thread, but what are the typical gains on an intake/tune? My friend was asking me and I could only give him a ballpark answer. Thanks in advance!

 

Technically the JLT is not a cold air kit, hence the open under hood filter with no shield. However they have shown good gains, but if the hood was up during the dyno then it skews the results. I used to beleive in just a open element under the hood with no shield until I did some testing on my Lightning. Once you start stopping and starting in traffic the temps will continue to go up. It started off modestly increasing then eventually it was several degrees(20+) over the oustside temp and would not cool off. After putting the stock box back on I was within a few degrees of the outside air. Now I only run shielded filters. So if you go with the JLT do yourself a favor and build a shield for it. Also he seems like a pretty good guy from all the post I have read. Lee is also a good guy and I have used many of his C&L products thru the years. Just chose what you like and you'll be the happiest. Someone will always say theres made more power no matter what you do. Just like theres always a faster car

Thanks Mike

 

Ballpark is the best way to appraoch it. 20-30 is ballpark.

The Steeda isn't an entire replacement from the throttle body forward either, it's just a new MAF and a filter, still using the stock tube.

 

In Tucker's post he says JLT has a shield for their kit. I'll ask him to post a pic, and update this thread when he does. JLT is looking good....

 

I recommend JLT. Good gains for a very low cost. However, remember you will need a tune. So grab yourself a SCT XCcalibrator or a Diablo Presator.

-Bryan

 

Thanks guys and yes, I do have a shield in the works and hope to have it in the next few weeks.
As far as it not being a true CAI, your right and it's fair to say none of them are. With the new body it's impossiable to get a filter out of the engine compartment, but there is a ton of air flow in the area the filter is placed. Just look down in that area. It's all open like a truck.
Many kits shield the bottom of the filter also almost boxing it in, and that's where most of the air will be coming from. Fact is more warm air is better then less cool air.

I am currantlly re doing the entire site so there is no info there. You can feel free to call anytime for customer support,ordering or tech info.
Thanks Jay