Installed the S&B cold air intake, with some interesting results since the install (2024)

As the title says, installed their CAI, mainly, because I just wanted to try one. I have never run a CAI on any of my Cummins trucks, so I thought, why not! Here are my observations so far:

1. It is as quiet as the stock box. I do have the side plug in place (haven't run without the plug yet)
2. Is there a noticeable power increase? Not that I can feel.
3. There is however, a noticeable smoothness to the acceleration now. It does "seem" to pull a little harder up top.
4. There is an improved "smoothness" that was not present with the stock box.
5. Zero CEL's so far. Very quality box.
6. Biggest surprise of all, is DPF soot accumulation. I do tow with my truck, a 10,000 pound camper, on a monthly basis, but is still my daily driver vehicle. That being said, lots of stop and go, lots of short duration drives, everything we have been warned about. I watch my DPF gauge regularly, to monitor soot accumulation, and to see how often I regen. Other than the 24 hour programmed regen, I seem to hit regen about every 200 miles, and that regen usually takes a minimum of 20 minutes, and sometimes as long as 30 minutes. Once a regen is complete, I will quickly begin to read accumulation of 25 to 50% over the next 200 miles, with 30% frequently showing on my gauge. Since the CAI install, I haven't seen soot accumulation any higher than 1/8th on the gauge! Same streets, same fuel, same driving habits. Sunday, I decided to drive a bit to see how long it would take to clear that 1/8th, and it cleared in 5 miles. My truck has never done this. So all that to say, if a reduction in soot to the DPF continues, that alone is worth the price of the box to me!

elephantrider said:

it is a quality piece. be sure to run ot a bit with the snow plug removed. you'll get a touch more sound out of it.

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I just filled up, so I thought I would pull the plug this tank and compare results

tchur1 said:

I am on my first diesel so forgive my ignorance but isnt a regen every 200 miles super frequent? I drive my truck daily as well, normally 15 mins 2x a day at 40-50 MPH and ive never seen my DPF gauge move off of 0. It regens every 24 engine hours but nothing more than that. Ive had 3 regens to this point and have 3100 miles on the truck and 73 engine hours.

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I'm in town, and don't see those speeds, and I never get to run 15 or 20 minutes straight at that speed, unless I plan a drive just to clean the DPF

elephantrider said:

I see .5 to 1.5 mpg loss with the snow plug out. I run it installed most all the time. curious what your results are.

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Well, I pulled the plug out, and it sounds completely obnoxious with the exhaust brake on. Needless to say, the plug goes back in tomorrow, I cannot stand Needless noise.

flan said:

What causes the mpg loss? Warm engine compartment air compared to cold air coming in with it installed?

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Good question, that would be my assumption too

i think it's more of an airflow issue with pulling air from the side of the box vs. through the snorkel..

...but I'm no expert.