Dont all cold air intakes serve the same purpose?

 

Not sure what you are trying to ask. All intakes, including the stock serve the same purpose. Provide air to be mixed with fuel. Some provide a higher volume.

 

well when i was looking to buy a cai for my truck, i couldnt see paying $300 for one, so i got one off ebay for $80, brand new in box. I just want to make sure it wasnt a waste of my money to buy the one off ebay. I didnt know if the material made a differnce or what? Its aluminum with an open filter just like a kn or airaid, just i dont think they have aluminum tubing

 

It may very well be a Chinese knockoff of one being manufactured over there.

 

this is what i have, its more $$ now, but still. Should i invest in a kn or airaid or just keep waht i have??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COLD-...spagenameZWDVW

 

Use it, find out if you like the performance. If you don't, put the stock back on or dish out some more cash for a name.

 

thats what i am wondering. is it just the name that ppl are buying or is it really make that big of a difference between one like i got, or kn or anyother big name??

 

Some may be slightly better than others due to the way they are bent, or size of the tube. I doubt that you would ever be able to tell the difference except on a dyno. I would use it and be happy, as long as I had a custom tune that took advantage of it and insured i was not leaning out.

 

x2

The material of the tube can play a role in the performance as well. Metal conducts more heat than plastic, which might cause higher temperatures air in the intake. Some of these metal intakes are made of different metals, some are thicker, some are chrome plated. All of these things can play a role in the performance, and that might be where the cheaper version went cheap.

 

thanks guys, ill just keep it then. Cuz i really didnt want to spit out 300 for something i dont need

 

Yes intakes do vary, not so say that your $80 intake will suck but it will not perform up to the level of an AF1.

Hard to rationalize spending 3x as much though on something aimed at doing the same task, although just not as well.

 

dont forget, in his user info it says that he has a '03, so he doesnt need to worry as much about leaning out. if it were me, i would take the intake and just get a new s&b or k&n filter for it. i wouldnt trust anything like that on my truck, but for sure, keep it.

 

I just installed a K&N air intake kit. I like it, it looks good, and it does seem to give me better response when I hit the gas. Was it worth $285? We'll see!

 

this is a better intake

https://www.f150online.com/forums/ex...take-pics.html

I sold my K&N and ran the "gotts intake" for while on my green truck, my wife's "truck" is still running this same intake

 

Does that eBay intake put the filter in the fenderwell or is it simply out in the open engine bay?