Im looking into a CAI... the AFE stage 2 Pro 5R (oiled dual cone setup) is 350-400 and the S&B is about 300. The S&B seems better but has NO HP or Torque increase claims. Does anyone know what one is better or what one would you chose?
S&B or AFE cold air?
mustangmike6996
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Im looking into a CAI... the AFE stage 2 Pro 5R (oiled dual cone setup) is 350-400 and the S&B is about 300. The S&B seems better but has NO HP or Torque increase claims. Does anyone know what one is better or what one would you chose?
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I went with S&B. I haven't heard anyone say a bad thing about them. A few people have said they weren't happy with the overall quality of the afe. And others have complained about the noise from the afe without the lid. I am very happy with my S&B, especially the noise it makes with my custom tune 
Family First
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Any MPG change or power difference from stock to the SB
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No mileage gain and no noticeable power pre tune. I doubt you would notice a difference with any intake on a stock truck. Biggest bottleneck is your down pipe and exhaust, stock air box already has higher flow capability than truck can use stock.
Family First
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I have the AFE Stage 2 "Dry" dual cone, and I have no complaints. The construction is sturdy. Depending on your preference of noise, is whether you would want the lid or not. I love the sound without the lid and it, along with exhaust has really brought those twins alive. As for gains, I'd have to say the same as Raiderfan. Probably minimal with no tune and factory downpipe and exhaust. A little better throttle response, but I put the tuner on about a day afterwards so I didn't really get to run it by itself. I'd say either way you go, you should be happy. Good luck.
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Want more noise? Go Afe. Want same thing but less noise. Go s&b. They are probably very close on wot gains. Overall I think the s&b is nicer quality. But you may find a hek of a deal on an afe used. Its up to you.
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HP and TQ claims on a CAI (no matter the brand), while they are real on the dyno, do not translate to the REAL world in your truck, especially without a tune and down pipe. It doesn't matter who's dyno test you look at, they're all within about 5HP of each other, and you have to realize that they are usually only done on ONE (rental) truck....and it is BONE STOCK. Regardless, you don't really feel anything from the driver's seat.
CAI's are for looks, sound, and to keep you from having to buy new paper air filters.....that's about it.....dyno numbers may be real, but they are mainly there for marketing purposes....I.E. fishing lures to catch fishermen.....
Buy what you like the looks of, and what you are comfortable with quality wise after doing some research on reviews.
CAI's are for looks, sound, and to keep you from having to buy new paper air filters.....that's about it.....dyno numbers may be real, but they are mainly there for marketing purposes....I.E. fishing lures to catch fishermen.....
Buy what you like the looks of, and what you are comfortable with quality wise after doing some research on reviews.
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Fify
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Fify
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Mustangmike.....apologies for hijacking your thread.....
FTR, the S&B is a pretty nice piece. There are still some AFE fans around here, but several guys have removed their AFE and switched to S&B.
FTR, the S&B is a pretty nice piece. There are still some AFE fans around here, but several guys have removed their AFE and switched to S&B.
The S&B fit and finish is outstanding. I liked the AFE, but it was obnoxiously loud and was hard to clock the piping perfectly. Two of the pipes also would rattle against each other. IMHO it just looked out of place in the engine bay, almost ricer-esque, while the S&B looks like it came from the factory.
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For me the brand new price was the deal breaker.. BRAND NEW you can get the S&B CAI for $300, but the AFE is quite a bit more expensive brand new.. you can find a used AFE for $200-$250 now though. I still hear a good amount of noise from the S&B, I have never run a AFE but from what I have read, they are pretty loud.
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Yup, the AFE is definitely louder. Have the S&B now and the fitting is absolutely great compared the the AFE. No hoses rubbing on ANYTHING! On the AFE you'd have to trim off some of the overflow hose on the coolant resevior and the filter on the S&B is much better than the AFE.
AFE is 86% efficient and is a 2 ply cotton while the S&B is 99.6% efficient and a 8 ply cotton filter. 86% isn't very effective at catching the smaller particulate which will increase the rate at which your cylinder and piston rings wear out.
AFE is 86% efficient and is a 2 ply cotton while the S&B is 99.6% efficient and a 8 ply cotton filter. 86% isn't very effective at catching the smaller particulate which will increase the rate at which your cylinder and piston rings wear out.
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^^^^^ DING DING DING....I was hoping someone other than me would say this....good FILTRATION....is THE most important factor....period.
Otherwise...if it was all about max FLOW...oh never mind...
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It really is....
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Just look at the design. It looks like it's designed to flow the air smoothly.
View attachment 11887
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But mine's a prettier COLOR....
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Debatable
But look at that tube......poor air how is it supposed to flow1 - 20 of 36 Posts
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