[KKiowaTJ]

Id like to start off by wishing all a merry x-mas, And hope everyone traveling has a safe trip.

The reason i am posting this a few days before x-mas is, People will end up with money for mod's and or toys for the jeep from santa. And more searches and less threads on junk bolt-ons will have more proof than just a person opinion, Which should be a factor in purchasing, But numbers are always the best proof. I will have my numbers up later on in the day as i thought i had them with me and i dont.

I bought into the whole TBS and CAI before i joined this site on previous TJ's. I have run a TBS and CAI for 25k miles and have always checked MPG when i would fill up, More to see which station would cheat and put more ethonol in as there plant is close, Because 10% blend would get me 1mpg worse. I ran 6 tanks of gas with both CAI and the OEM box, same highway trip 3 tanks a piece, Taking the backroads once with each set-up. I always used 87 gas and filled up at the same BP station and the same pump. With the CAI at 65 mph, It got anywhere from 12.4 and 14.1. With the oem box, I got minimum of 13.8 to 15.4. All test were ran with cruise set at 65 and once at 55. The CAI did nothing but take my acceleration away, Noticable low end loss up to 2400rpms, And the mpg loss. The spacer will stay on because its there and does nothing to help or hinder my power etc.

I kept my numbers on a note pad, Nothing fancy, But honest numbers i collected as i have read countless threads about these junk items. My $10 dollar paper filter and stock intake is more than enough to make the 4.0 happy. All you get from the CAI is a nice fancy looking thing under the hood that sounds like a jet a first start. I will not bolt one more "performance" part to the 4.0 as it is a waste of good money. I know everyone has to try it out, And there is people who say they gained this or that. With all my skids, bumpers, 35's, gears, etc, Nothing will be justified short of a smallblock.

Sorry for the long winded thread, But no differnt than 5 short ones asking if they add what they say. As i said i will post up some small numbers, Nothing graphed out, But the members who have fallen to the bolt-on scams know what i am talking about and have been preaching for years WORTHLESS. Again merry x-mas, And i hope you put your money to good use as most of these CAI kits are as much as a lunchbox locker, And same skill applys to install.

[bigchevyman24]

x2...and merry Christmas...I had the Airaid and went to a Hummer Intake with paper filter..actually improved acceleration and mpg...linky:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/tj-hummer-intake-write-up-buick-airbox-473981/

[jsealey]

Thanks for taking the time to write the long winded post could save a lot of people some money. Logicaly you have to think if all these gizmose worked, wouldn't the oem's use them? It would cost the same to manufacture them one way as the other.

[AlexTJ]

I wonder if a "CAI" would help my stroker though.

But x2x2 on this thread, I know a normal 4.0 has no use for a "cold air" intake or a TBS...(lol)

[02tjsport]

Originally Posted by aoneill

I wonder if a "CAI" would help my stroker though.

But x2x2 on this thread, I know a normal 4.0 has no use for a "cold air" intake or a TBS...(lol)

A TRUE cai will help any engine out. Cold air is better than hot air. I think it will help out TJ 4.0 engines as well. While the stock air box is in a good spot and gets a little cool air from under the hood crack, if you place the filter above the exhaust manifold it gets horrible performance. I've actually had a filter melt when i had it placed above the manifold.

[KKiowaTJ]

That was an option i was looking at, The 4.6l stroker, And for the money, I can build a v-8, T.B.I injection, All the adapters, Computer, Etc for alot less than a stroked I-6. Not saying a v-8 is better, Just the route i want to take on my build. As 02TJ said, All motors benefit from cold air, But i would go with a snorkel kit, Up and out of the way, And the coldest air you will find, Plus it also helps through water.

I did put my CAI on my ZJ that has the 5.2 with no cat and flowmaster 40, 2 1/2 pipe all the way, single tip, And with it on there, The HP and mpg did increase, It has the 242 ?, Dont remember if thats it, But full-time quadratrac, And am seeing lowest of 11.2 as its my pull rig for the TJ, and have seen 20mpg on the highway no load.

I did get some numbers to show, Like i said nothing speical, But i have no reason to tell you differnt. You can read sig, Or ill just throw down the main parts, 99 sahara auto, 140k, 19 gallon tank, 35' MTZ's at 24psi, steering box, oil and gas tank skids. Locker in rear with 4.10 gears. Dont know if locker will affect mpg? But i listed it as well.

I will start with the CAI: Interstate at 65mph i got 13.5mpg, 153.3 miles and 11.3 to fill back up.
CAI on interstate at 65+ mph: 11.2mpg, 151.8 miles and 13.5 to fill back up
CAI on two lane backroads at 55mph: 14.2mpg, 162.2 miles, 11.4 to fill back up

OEM box on interstate at 65: 14.6mpg, 149.6 miles, 10.2 to fill back up
OEM box on interstate at 65+mph: 13.9mpg, 156.2 miles, 11.2 to fill back up
OEM box two lane backroads at 55mph: 15.4mpg, 159 miles, 10.3 to fill back up

Over 65 with either got worse mpg. If your gonna go faster than 65, make it worth your time and gas and get there lol.
At 65 i got 1.1mpg better with stock box. At 55 i got 1.2mpg better with stock box. All in all, The oem box, Cheap paper filter, Will get you all around better performance.

I know this turned out to be another long post, But im happy to answer any questions you might have that i didnt cover. Again, Have a merry christmas and be safe on the roads.

[Hank Jr]

Thanks for the numbers. I was thinking of buying one and this gives me some food for thought.