Steeda CAI vs K&N CAI

[The Menace]

I will be putting this same thing in my build thread but thought this should have its own thread for those trying to decide between these two Cold Air Intakes.

Okay so I received and installed my new Steeda Cold Air Intake. Unfortunately I was replacing the K&N so I don't really have before and after pictures of it stock.

All in all it was a very simple installation. I liked the fact that the Steeda CAI was more of a true box over the K&N after driving stock for several thousand miles and with the K&N for over 1500 miles I am about 400 miles into the Steeda with their Tune and Restrictor removed. I have to say based off of the on board Inlet Air Temps the Steeda CAI is a true Cold Air Intake System over the K&N, yielding much cooler inlet air temps especially at higher consistent speeds. Power wise the Steeda Tune is a little conservative over my VMP tune but the car seems to run better, not as whinny I guess if that makes sense? Power seems equally distributed thru the rpm range where I could feel a little burst of power in the 3.9to4k range with the VMP tune. Just one mans opinion no scientific or dyno proven fact sheets to back that up...

So for The fun part..

I mean just look at this quality Velocity Stack




Awesome Edit done by Marvelous_d_s550 thanks Danny for all your continued help and support.



K&N before


A.little side by side comparison of the two boxes. Or lacktherof a box for the K&N



Before and after together. Notice the K&N sensor connection is on the opposite side of the Steeda and Factory location. You need a supplied pigtail wire harness to get you there with the K&N... Not sire why they did that?

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['Merica]

Nice! Steeda looks much more beefy!

 

[The Menace]

Nice! Steeda looks much more beefy!

Yes it certainly is a beefier looking product. I know K&N originated the rechargabble filter but others have improved on it and IMO Steeda is one that has done this pretty well with this set up.

I forgot to mention that the Steeda Box retains the Factory "Ram Air" scope from the factory Air Box. I am assuming that full heat shield/box plus Factory Ram Air Inlet tube is what helps this CAI retain such cool air inlets...

 

[craigsix]

on the hemi cars the airraid is a way better product than the k&n!

 

[Chameleon]

Out of these, Steeda for sure.

 

[madweazl]

What are you experiencing for an average IAT (above ambient)? Have any data logs? Thinking about creating a spreadsheet with results from the various manufacturers.

 

[craigsix]

installed my airraid mit with k&n filter today. removed the stupid noise tube also. airraid is definately larger volume with no silencer.

 

[JonnyS]

Are you still liking your steeda cai? Or do you now have a stumble at low rpms?

 

[BeauxXL1200]

I've been running Steeda's CAI without the restrictor and with a Lund tune. I've no complaints and I agree that the Steeda CAI is a well made product.

 

[Ramen]

I'm lucky to live close enough that I stopped at Steeda in Pompano and bought both their CAI and tuner. It comes with a discount that way. I sent off for their tune and installed the intake as soon as I got the email from Matt.

It was like night and day. Have a smile every time I drop the hammer. I left the sound tube in. Love hearing that gurgle.

ETA: When cruising at 75mph on I-95, the IAT is about 5 degrees above ambient.

 

[The Menace]

Are you still liking your steeda cai? Or do you now have a stumble at low rpms?

Sorry i missed this one i have been swamped at work.

Yes hands down much better than the K&N very happy with it, glad i made the switch.

I have no stumble, but i have the restrictor removed and their tune.

I notice it is not as aggressive of a tune as i had with the K&N and VMP Tune BUT it has more top end power than the VMP one. I have not Dyno Data to back that up but just what i feel while driving the freeways.

Hope this helps

 

[The Menace]

What are you experiencing for an average IAT (above ambient)? Have any data logs? Thinking about creating a spreadsheet with results from the various manufacturers.

Again i apologize for the delay in the response i have been busy around the office.

Its been a few weeks since i have checked but i want to say cruising about 75-80 MPH i am about 4 degrees warmer than outside air. the K&N was about 8 degrees warmer than outside air temp.

At idle on the street at a light the K&N would get about 55 degrees warmer than ambient. this one is about 38 degrees. so their heat shield/box and inlet tube to the bumper is doing something.

Hope this helps.

 

[JonnyS]

Funny I just installed my k&n this morning (previously the steeda). Low speed driving is almost as good as the stock air box again but with noticeable more top end. With the steeda I could hold the car in 1st and wot@3k, the car would just about spin the tires and shift into 2nd without spinning. I put the stock box on and it felt like a 5-8 HP loss on top end but would break 2nd gear under the same test. Now with the k&n it spins slightly threw 1st and goes sideways shifting into second. I've raced the steeda with and without insert and their is a big difference between just adding the insert back in. Before I make anymore claims, I will hit the track in a few weeks and test this combo because I'm sure this is the fastest its been yet. I posted my quarter mile times on another thread. Just click on my history to find it. Aside from that, Matt from steeda has been a great help. They have good products.

 

[JonnyS]

I should add. Driving to work my IAT was 4-5 above (75 outside) and stopped at taco time drive threw, of which when I received my crispy meat burrito, the IAT was 125. 50 above

 

[The Menace]

Funny I just installed my k&n this morning (previously the steeda). Low speed driving is almost as good as the stock air box again but with noticeable more top end. With the steeda I could hold the car in 1st and wot@3k, the car would just about spin the tires and shift into 2nd without spinning. I put the stock box on and it felt like a 5-8 HP loss on top end but would break 2nd gear under the same test. Now with the k&n it spins slightly threw 1st and goes sideways shifting into second. I've raced the steeda with and without insert and their is a big difference between just adding the insert back in. Before I make anymore claims, I will hit the track in a few weeks and test this combo because I'm sure this is the fastest its been yet. I posted my quarter mile times on another thread. Just click on my history to find it. Aside from that, Matt from steeda has been a great help. They have good products.

So you ran the Steeda with and without restrictor? You ran without restrictor and with the Steeda Tune? And still feel the K&N is running better? Are you tuned with K&N?

I ran my K&N with a VMP tune and I just seem to think the Steeda Restrictorless CAI runs better. The VMP tune with Factory box felt better IMO than the K&N. Trust me I have run K&N in almost everyone of my cars or trucks or Bikes. So I like their products. I just think the Steeda seems to run better with their Tune. IMO.

I certainly think that K&N for the price could do a little more with the heat shield.

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