Sponsored

CAI or charge pipes

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
I have about $400 bucks burning a hole in my pocket. Looking to expand on the fun Turbo noises, but wouldn't mind some performance benefits. Keep in mind no tune and won't be getting one for a while. CAI seems easy but I don't want to let the engine ingest more garbage, unless there is one people recommend.
Sponsored

 

Racket

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
2,203
Reaction score
3,402
Location
Here and There
Vehicle(s)
2019 Lariat Supercrew 2WD
Occupation
Transient
For that money you could get the charge pipes and a bigger intercooler from Elliot Performance (ESP) - they come as a set.

It's a day's work to put them in.
 
OP
OP
JoeDirt03

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
For that money you could get the charge pipes and a bigger intercooler from Elliott Performance - they come as a set.

It's a day's work to put them in.
I don't mind some work, but how much work is it? Keep in mind I'm still getting comfortable doing simple stuff like oil changes.
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,539
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
I would save a little bit more and spend the money on an Intercooler with charge pipes. Why? Because the aftermarket Intercooler will help you hold maximum power under load vs the OEM.
 

Deleted User 38384

Banned
Banned
Joined
Mar 10, 2025
Threads
44
Messages
1,106
Reaction score
3,252
Any combination of these will make things sound better. But it blows past $400 pretty quick. For @ $400,,, I'd go with the BOV and the INJEN CAI. You can find both new on Ebay or Amazon for less than retail (if you shop around). The Hot Side Charge Pipe is a good upgrade over the restrictive stock pipe. There isn't much to be gained by swapping out the Cold Side Charge Pipe because it's not much different than the stock pipe.

Screenshot_20240628_165338_DuckDuckGo.webp


Screenshot_20240628_165256_DuckDuckGo.webp


Screenshot_20240629_192001_DuckDuckGo.webp


Screenshot_20240629_192109_DuckDuckGo.webp


Screenshot_20240629_192040_DuckDuckGo.webp


20250307_185021.webp


20240703_125339.jpg


20250309_202943.jpg
 
Last edited:


OP
OP
JoeDirt03

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
Any combination of these will make things sound better. But it blows past $400 pretty quick. For @ $400,,, I'd go with the BOV and the INJEN CAI. You can find bot new on Ebay or Amazon for less than retail (if you shop around).

Screenshot_20240628_165338_DuckDuckGo.jpg


Screenshot_20240628_165256_DuckDuckGo.jpg


Screenshot_20240629_192001_DuckDuckGo.jpg


Screenshot_20240629_192109_DuckDuckGo.jpg


Screenshot_20240629_192040_DuckDuckGo.jpg


20250307_185021.jpg


20240703_125339.jpg


20250309_202943.jpg
I've got the Bold Cat back which sounds good, I thought about a BOV but honestly for the money seems pointless. I just like the vacuum sounds lol. I looked at the injen but I'm in a very dusty area so I'm worried it will fill with dust really quick. Right now I'm looking at the S&B air box and the CVF hot side charge pipe. The stock cold side seems just as big as the aftermarket stuff. Intercooler and downpipe might be a little too indept for me right now.... But I'm sure one day.
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,539
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
I've got the Bold Cat back which sounds good, I thought about a BOV but honestly for the money seems pointless. I just like the vacuum sounds lol. I looked at the injen but I'm in a very dusty area so I'm worried it will fill with dust really quick. Right now I'm looking at the S&B air box and the CVF hot side charge pipe. The stock cold side seems just as big as the aftermarket stuff. Intercooler and downpipe might be a little too indept for me right now.... But I'm sure one day.
Since you live in a dusty area, you would b better off leaving the Intake Stock with the Factory Air Filter. It will offer the best protection for the Engine and Turbocharger against the Dirt, Dust and other Debris.
 
OP
OP
JoeDirt03

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
Since you live in a dusty area, you would b better off leaving the Intake Stock with the Factory Air Filter. It will offer the best protection for the Engine and Turbocharger against the Dirt, Dust and other Debris.
I'm curious, I keep seeing multiple companies having both an oiled and dry filter options. Is one better than the other? I've read a lot about how the K&N oiled filters suck at filtering. Does that go for all oiled filters?
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,539
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
I'm curious, I keep seeing multiple companies having both an oiled and dry filter options. Is one better than the other? I've read a lot about how the K&N oiled filters suck at filtering. Does that go for all oiled filters?
In reality you have 3 types of Air Filters. Paper(most OEM), Cotton Gauze and Foam.

Some OEM Paper Filter will have a light oil film to help them catch more Dirt Dust and Other Debris. No it is not required for a paper filter to have that oil film.

Cotton Gauze Filters are good with big particle Filtration, but horrible with small/fine particle Filtration. They also need to be cleaned often to keep doing their job. This is usually required every month or so depending on conditions.

Foam provides the same protection level as Paper and flows the best of the 3, but unfortunately requires to be cleaned every other week as a result.

As one that had the Ranger in the past that was tuned, you will be fine with the OEM on flow. Also ensuring the best protection for the Engine is highly important.
 
OP
OP
JoeDirt03

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
For that money you could get the charge pipes and a bigger intercooler from Elliot Performance (ESP) - they come as a set.

It's a day's work to put them in.
Welp I pulled the trigger on the ESP intercooler/pipe kit. Excited for more turbo noise. I'm curious if I will see any type of performance differences, in my eyes increasing flow should allow the turbo to spool faster?
 

Racket

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Threads
22
Messages
2,203
Reaction score
3,402
Location
Here and There
Vehicle(s)
2019 Lariat Supercrew 2WD
Occupation
Transient
They won't 'increase' performance but the dramatically improved cooling will make performance more consistent. That may lead to a little improvement in MPG's or even reduce wear on the motor by evening out the uneven changes in boost.

Once you install them and get used to the refined response you'll likely want a tune if your goal is more 'performance.' A lot of us have been there.
 
OP
OP
JoeDirt03

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
They won't 'increase' performance but the dramatically improved cooling will make performance more consistent. That may lead to a little improvement in MPG's or even reduce wear on the motor by evening out the uneven changes in boost.

Once you install them and get used to the refined response you'll likely want a tune if your goal is more 'performance.' A lot of us have been there.
For sure. I'm still under warranty so I think I'm waiting till that runs out before I get a tune (lord knows my transmission is gonna need it) but ultimately I'm happy I got the kit. It gets super hot here in Dallas so it will definitely help with heat soak. Plus only $400 bucks, I mean why not.
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,539
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
Yeah the more stable temperature from the Intercooler will help with performance under load the most. The cooler air charge will allow you to have a higher power level with lower boost. Doing such will allow you to be more efficient and to an extent help with MPG. How much? Probably around 1 at best when towing. Without towing it is hard to say.
 
OP
OP
JoeDirt03

JoeDirt03

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Jan 18, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
92
Reaction score
371
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Ford Ranger
Yeah the more stable temperature from the Intercooler will help with performance under load the most. The cooler air charge will allow you to have a higher power level with lower boost. Doing such will allow you to be more efficient and to an extent help with MPG. How much? Probably around 1 at best when towing. Without towing it is hard to say.
I couldn't help myself and just ordered the s&b air box too. I figured I'm gonna have it all apart anyway. Might not help much but down the line when I get a tune it'll make more of a difference
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,539
Reaction score
10,750
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
Be aware with a Cold Air Intake Box. Think about where you will be taking the truck. If you travel on a bunch of Dirt Roads, I would stick with the Factory Air Box and OEM Air Filter. It will do the best when it comes to keeping the intake air clean from Dirt, Dust and other Debris making sure the Turbocharger and Engine don't get damaged from such.
Sponsored

 
 








Top