What do you think provides better performance/sound? CAI or HAI?

 

I've only heard one CAI that also had a Milltek exhaust. It sounded great. My brother and our friend Justin have the HAI on their cars, just a K&N air filter strapped directly onto the throttle body. We haven't done any other engine mods yet and the car absolutely screams. I had a friend in it a few days ago and she said "it sounds like it's trying to take off." Another friend describes it as "spitting fire." All I know is, it is one of the most satisfying things in the world to step on the gas pedal and hear that supercharger wind up and scream. Also, you can hear the air being sucked into the engine and when you let off the gas, you get a nice little "thwee!" from the valve, nothing too loud like a blowoff valve, but just enough for anyone in the car to hear. And it's not just the sound, we've definitely noticed at least a slight boost in power just from the HAI. I love the HAI, and for the price (about $60-70 for the K&N, another $10 for a breather filter from Pep Boys), it can't be beat.

 

Oh, wait, I almost forgot, we also have the "duct-tape" mod done under the hood, definitely adds about 5 monkey power.

 

I just did the HAI mod and am happy with it. I bought mine right from the K&N website, $43.00 with shipping. I have an 05 that had the yo-yo effect
going on, and Idid the VGS mod with the HAI and both have really helped.
Off the line throttle response is sooo much better now. Much smoother.
And the sound I cant get enough of.

 

Which filter did you get ? The panel filter?

 

Might want to check out these threads for pros and cons of each

CAI vs HAI
HAI Dyno results
ALTA CAI vs AGS
CAI reccomendations

Personally I chose the ALTA CAI w/ silicone hose, proven reliability and the largest gains at the time (Webb HDI has since posted higer dyno results) for a CAI. To mee can't beat more colder air as my post in CAI vs HAI details. The CAI costs a little more upfront but my ALTA just finished paying for itself in better gas milage last week, I saw what it is an above average result of a 10 MPG gain. I also did the VGS a week before recieving the ALTA, I calculate milage at each fillup not by use of the OBC. Search is your friend. Hope this helps.

 

I got the RU-1550 filter, that has the 10 degree angle. And I got an air breather from autozone.