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Banks "ram air" system

9K views 77 replies 27 participants last post by  jmartinb 
#1 ·
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004VQM4OE

Does anyone have this? Wondering your thoughts on it. Also it says up to 09 but I have a 2010.. Is there a major difference or would it still work? It looks like in one of the reviews someone installed on a 2011 but they could have clicked the wrong link so I want to make sure before I buy
 
#6 ·
I have an 09 manual and installed it, I can't tell if I gained or lost MPG. I don't drive that much. It does sound "cool" shifting gears and hearing the "woooosh" sound LOL. It does "look" better than stock .

I'm actually going to sell it and go back to stock , cause I'm paranoid about driving it in the sand. I heard internet "rumors" of it not being good in dusty / sandy conditions and that's most of my driving in the summer out in Moab , Co and AZ.

I received it as a xmas gift.

I think for the price , you can probably get a better MOD for the Jeep than CAI..just my .2
 
#7 ·
Save your money for other MODS.

Your Wranglers air induction system is already designed for the maximum CFM air flow and efficiency, plus the correct absolute micron filtration rating. So what you already have right out of the factory, is the optimum for performance and filtration..........:thumb:
 
#8 ·
Well but I'm thinking about it more for mpg than for performance per say...
I'm literally getting 10 mpg and I know you don't buy a jeep for fuel effenciency but I'd still like to get better than 10
I put a CAI and throttle body on my mustang and it helped a lot so that's why I'm thinking of starting there

Also I'm in Chicagoland so not a lot of sand here either.
I know swapping the wheels for more practical daily driving wheels/tires would help but honestly I love having the option of driving anywhere I want at any time lol

And I'm not so sure if the computer has been calibrated for them big wheels either
(Bought it used with these wheels/tires)
 
#9 ·
A gear swap can help the MPG by allowing the motor to work in its optimal range. Do you know what gear ratio it's running?
 
#11 ·
10 mpg????
I just got a gently used '09 with only 28,000 miles on it. I had heard about the bad mileage on these, but my 2000 Chevy Express 1500 w/5.7 Vortec gets a whopping 10 to 11 in the winter, so I figured.....how bad can the Jeep be.
Well, I'm pleasantly surprised! I'm getting anywhere (according to the avg mpg comp) 18 to 20 mpg!!!!!!! :iamhappy:
But I admittedly drive it like a bit of a poo-say. Sort of like I had an egg under the pedal.
Hell, if I want fast I'll jump on my 181 RWHP ZX11.
And then have to worry about getting an "award" from Johnny Law.

Chris
 
#12 ·
10 mpg???? I just got a gently used '09 with only 28,000 miles on it. I had heard about the bad mileage on these, but my 2000 Chevy Express 1500 w/5.7 Vortec gets a whopping 10 to 11 in the winter, so I figured.....how bad can the Jeep be. Well, I'm pleasantly surprised! I'm getting anywhere (according to the avg mpg comp) 18 to 20 mpg!!!!!!! :iamhappy: But I admittedly drive it like a bit of a poo-say. Sort of like I had an egg under the pedal. Hell, if I want fast I'll jump on my 181 RWHP ZX11. And then have to worry about getting an "award" from Johnny Law. Chris
I'm driving that way now. I'm still getting used to it also so I'm hoping once I'm more used to it it'll get better. I've been driving small manual cars for the last 4 years and now I have big automatic jeep lol my entire left side is pretty useless feeling lol

Do you have the stock wheels on yours?
 
#17 ·
A vote for gearing. Then ProCal it.

Check for the tag on the rear axle cover bolts. Should state gear ratio. Then google a tire/gear ratio calculator and plug in some numbers. Sounds like you are having to mash on the gas or are shifting up/down a lot and burning excess fuel.
 
#18 ·
The best gas savings I gained with my 3.8 is a Diablosport tuner I have 33" tires so I set that on the tuner & Allthough I have 411 gears mine is set to a 87 octane tune which I have better throttle response shift points and all this made a real 3mpg increase with better drivability another thing you can try is turn your overdrive off every time you go anywhere if you have bigger wheels unless you can afford to regear that would be best
 
#20 ·
I bet your computer hasn't been adjusted for your new wheel size. Your fuel economy, odometer, and speedo are probably understated.
 
#22 ·
Gears will do it. If you want to spend the money on your intake get a snorkel. It will give you some ram air and is a true CAI. But you realy need to get a Pro Cal or Superchip or anything that can adjust for your tire size.
 
#23 ·
Yes, get it re-calibrated for your tire size, and forget about a different air cleaner system, (DON'T DO IT)...........:nonono::nonono::nonono:
 
#27 ·
The factory installed filtration system, is by far the best for your engine.
These after market systems, are just sales gimmicks. They are hoping to be able to sell to the portion of the market place, that are gullible enough to be sucked in!
It's very sad to see this happen to people!!!!!!
 
#28 ·
The factory installed filtration system, is by far the best for your engine. These after market systems, are just sales gimmicks. They are hoping to be able to sell to the portion of the market place, that are gullible enough to be sucked in! It's very sad to see this happen to people!!!!!!
I'm buying it. Period
I don't know what the deal is with this forum. Everyone is all nice till a cold air intake is mentioned and then it's war.

I don't plan on suba diving in my jeep and it's my DD so it's going to be spending most of it's time on the road.
And most importantly it's mine.

At this point my decision is made I'm just trying to get input on my gas milage but I didn't want to make another thread on the issue. If anyone has any ideas that don't involve not having this "ram air" let me know.
 
#30 ·
I have an after market CAI installed, i have a wrap shield that keeps any excess spray water out, and its tested. I love mine. i have the stock so i can always .. put it back on
and head to the dealer if needed, but after 2 years of using mine. no issues, works great, easy to clean, etc. i do it each time i change the oil.

i agree. first hand experience is worth alot.
 
#31 ·
I have an after market CAI installed, i have a wrap shield that keeps any excess spray water out, and its tested. I love mine. i have the stock so i can always .. put it back on and head to the dealer if needed, but after 2 years of using mine. no issues, works great, easy to clean, etc. i do it each time i change the oil. i agree. first hand experience is worth alot.
This one?:
http://www.injen.com/docs/products/listing.asp?pcc=rp

I thought about it but I've never had an issue with water intrusion and a CAI. Maybe this is something to look into ordering up though?
 
#32 ·
That's interesting
Maybe I should get one for both of my cars

Honestly if one of them was going to eat water it would be the mustang
The CAI is way down in the fender
I refuse to drive in the right lane if it's raining out when I'm in that car lol
But this might help ease my mind a bit

Three years ago my bf and I were in Michigan for the Woodward Dream Cruise and we were down on Woodward and decided to head back to the hotel cause the sky got real dark. As soon as we got close to our turn off of Woodward Ave it started monsooning and I thought for sure my baby (and only car at the time) was going to suck up some water and we were going to be stranded
Luckily she wasn't thirsty lol and everything was fine with my car lol
 
#36 ·
Thank you.

For all you CAI haters out there I have one on my Durango and it works fine. When I remove it to clean I inspect the plenum to the TB and wipe it with a white lint free rag. Every time it comes out clean as a whistle. I learned a long time ago with my diesel that if you do not oil it properly some fine particles can get by (Made my turbo have a fine coating) and if you over oil it you will get oil residue on the plenum walls. My Durango has 140000 miles and the diesel has 162000 miles and still going strong


I do suggest to the OP that he be careful when he cleans it and re-oils it. Check it like I have stated above to make sure you are good. If you find any oil residue on in the intake clean it up and spry your O2 sensor with a good Electronics cleaner.
 
#37 ·
That and submit engine oil for analysis before and after, dyno it before and after...
 
#38 ·
Yeah I'm not dynoing my jeep
This is not for hp. I'm not trying to make a race jeep. Got a mustang for the strip. I'm just hoping for better air flow for a little mpg gain and I'm getting it at a discounted price so
Honestly the point of this thread originally was to compare this system to other CAI systems available not to be bashed for wanting one.
 
#40 ·
A positive is, that it looks nice under the hood..........:D
 
#51 ·
I just put the Banks CAI on my 2014 JKU and I love it. I'll get it muddy some day. And then clean it. Not worried about water getting in the engine. At least not a significant amount anyway. My mileage went down but not because of the CAI itself. It's because I stomp on the gas to hear it roar. At 4-6000 rpm under full pedal it sounds really awesome and pretty loud but I have the top off. Maybe the money is better spent elsewhere but this is one mod I've done to many vehicles and always liked so do it if you want it. Not every Jeep needs a snorkel. Under normal acceleration it doesn't sound any louder than stock. I have Banks Monster exhaust on the way so I can report back later on the combo.
 
#57 ·
I hate these CAI threads as well. All of the "experts" come out of the wood work (just a generalization...not specifically directed at anyone in this thread) and its quite frustrating so I typically shy away from them.

That being said - I've got an intake and love it. I bought the Airaid that reuses the OEM airbox inlet. I sealed it where necessary and have zero concerns about hydrolocking the motor. I don't go through water that is that deep. Period. Given that the intake of a Jeep is significantly higher than in any other type of vehicle, I don't give "puddles" a second thought. (I used to own a 2001 Mustang Bullitt so I know the fear of the open intakes! LOL!) I also got the dry filter that doesn't require oiling. I simply clean it with some Simple Green and water, let it dry, reinstall it, put the prefilter sock back on and button it up.



I've also replaced my exhaust with an aFe hi tuck. I chose this version because I smashed the crap out of my stock exhaust on some rocks and this one sits higher and is smaller than the stock unit. Here's the exhaust installed -



Do I have dyno sheets? Nope. Don't need or want them as my goal wasn't more power. My goal was to simply wake up the motor a little and this did the trick. I'm very happy with my choices and don't regret a thing...other than I wish the aFe was just a little throatier, but that can be fixed by removing the stock resonator.
 
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