Volant is a common name you’ll hear about while looking for a cold air intake. Maybe this is not the most suggested product like a few other common and great performing products, but you can have a good performance from it. I think you know something about Volant CAI. Here in my Volant cold air intake reviews, you’ll find more in-depth information.
While getting yourself a cold air intake, you have to know detail before picking one because it costs you a lot. As long as I’m here, don’t worry because I’m going to share everything you need to know about Volant from my experience, research, and other user reviews. So, I think this article is going to help you to get a better understanding.
Stay with me if you’re interested to know almost everything about Volant cold air intakes. Let’s start by knowing the company a bit.
Who Makes Volant Cold Air Intake?
According to its Facebook page, Volant entered the CAI market in 1998 having a focus on outdoor enthusiasts and off-road drivers. Its goal was simple- providing cold air intakes that can add to the performance of the vehicles.
From the very beginning, Volant has shaken the market with some awesome cold air intakes as well as innovative technologies. The collaboration with Donaldson has allowed Volant to deliver more efficient filters that the market wants.
This brand is consistently looking for delivering the best performance on off-roads. So, if you’re an off-road enthusiast, you’ll be getting something really enjoyable if you pick Volant.
There is no information about where the CAIs from this brand are prepared. You’ll find that there are some CAI systems they display on their website as made in the USA. At least those CAIs are manufactured in the USA, we can expect.
The rest can be manufactured in the USA or outsourced from somewhere else, I’m not sure. My research doesn’t tell much about it. If you want to know more, you can go for deeper research or reach Volant directly.
Features of Volant Cold Air Intake
Volant offers two types of CAIs- open filter system and closed filter system. Features vary a bit in the case of these two types. Also, depending on models, features may vary. Here I’m talking about the common features of these CAIs.
Materials
Volant CAIs are made with quality materials. The airflow pipe is made to restrict the engine heat from entering and heating the cold air. It is also made for high airflow.
The air filters from Volant are also made with quality material. Some are made with cotton while many others are made of synthetic media. Despite the media, the filters are made for improved performance in catching contaminants from the air.
The closed-box filters come with a tinted acrylic lid which allows you to have a quick look at the filter for inspection purposes. Also, it enhances the look.
For the connections, premium silicone connectors are used. Silicone makes those long-lasting and strong for handling pressure and heat.
Design
The CAIs from Volant come with vehicle-specific designs. Depending on the space available under the hood, Volant designs its CAI systems. You’ll find those available for a lot of vehicle models and makes. Those are made to be a perfect fit under the hood.
Also, those come with a cool design that looks good under the hood.
Ease of Installation
As Volant CAIs come with vehicle-specific designs, these are very easy to install. So, picking the one that is specifically made for your vehicle’s make, model, and year allows you to get a smooth installation experience. You won’t have to cut things off to get it installed if you don’t have any modification under the hood.
You’ll find installation instructions in the user manual. Also, if you search on the internet, you’ll find a lot of video tutorials available.
Multiple Options
Almost all the Volant cold air intakes offer multiple filter options from which you can select one. You can pick from the DryTech Dry Filter, MaxFlow5 Oiled Cotton Gauge. Also, some CAIs from Volant offer another option called PowerCore no maintenance air filter. So, you have the scope to get your preferred one.
Performance Improvement
There is no confusion that Volant offers a noticeable performance improvement. Almost all the users have confirmed that after installing a Volant, they’ve experienced faster throttle response and improved horsepower. As a result, the mileage has also improved a lot.
Volant ensures better performance than most other aftermarket cold air intake you’ll find. This has become possible because of the improved supply of air to the engine.
Pros of Volant CAI
- Designed based on the components under the hood
- Fits perfectly and requires zero modification in most cases
- Most products come with a high-flow airbox
- Made with quality materials for durable support
- Many CAIs from Volant are backed by a limited lifetime warranty
- Improves airflow, sound, handling, and mileage
- Comes in a moderate price range
Cons of Volant CAI
I haven’t found too many issues with these CAIs. However, a common issue that many users talk about is the installation. It takes more time than it should require to be installed.
One of the main causes behind this is the installation manual. The instructions there are a bit tough to understand. So, it takes a bit more time, especially when you’re not a professional.
Also, handling it is a bit difficult. When you have a pair of expert hands, you won’t feel it. But many DIYers have said that the parts of Volant CAIs could be made for better handling.
Volant vs K&N Cold Air Intake: A Basic Comparison
K&N is another big name in the CAI industry. So, I think making a comparison between these two brands would help you somehow. However, both brands offer a lot of models. The comparison represents the most common features only. You might find some differences.
Material
Volant makes its airflow tubes using molded polyethylene. You won’t find many exceptions to that. On the other hand, K&N offers several types of tubing like aluminum and High-Density Polyethylene. So, you’ll find more options here to choose from.
If you think of the air filters, Volant offers more options. In most cases, you have three different options to pick from- cotton gauge, synthetic media, and PowerCore no maintenance media. In this case, K&N offers only cotton filters. You won’t find many alternatives.
Both use Silicone connectors in the connections.
Installation
Installation is easy in both cases. Most of these are designed to fit directly under the hood. As a result, no modification is needed.
You’ll find installation instructions with the package. Also, a lot of installation videos are there on the internet from which you can seek help.
Flexibility
Volant allows you to make a choice from several filter options. You can pick filters depending on the material you want. So, you have good flexibility here.
On the other hand, when it is about K&N, you won’t get the flexibility. You have the scope of picking up a color between two options in some cases when you’re going to pick a K&N. It doesn’t allow enough material flexibility in the case of filter.
Type
Both offer two types of air intake systems- open filter systems and closed box systems. Most of the CAI systems from Volant come with a closed-box system. Differently, most of the air intake systems from K&N come with an open filter system.
So, if you want a closed box one, you’ll more likely to get it from Volant. Check this brand first. For an open filter system, try K&N. This doesn’t mean that closed ones from K&N or open ones from Volant are not good. I’ve added this just to help you in finding one for you quickly.
Price Comparison
Price is an important factor in making any buying decision, I know. So, comparing the price is a must.
In the case of closed box CAIs, you’ll find Volant reasonable compared to K&N. You’ll find a difference of around 30-50 USD or even more. However, the lowest-priced K&N asks around $240 from you when the cheapest Volant filter is priced at around $270.
Overall I’ve found that most K&N filters are priced around $400 whereas most Volant filters come with price tags of around $300-$370.
To pick one, find filters from both brands that fit your vehicle and compare those two.
Warranty
When almost all the Volant CAIs come with a warranty of only a year, K&N offers a warranty of 3 to 10 years depending on the filter. This confidence has helped K&N to have a big leap in the comparison.
However, Volant recently provides a limited lifetime warranty for many CAIs offered to the market. So, making a decision depending on the warranty is also tough.
I hope this basic comparison will help you to decide on purchasing an air intake system. In my opinion, Volant is a great option to pick.
Top-Rated Cold Air Intake Review from Volant
Volant offers multiple CAIs to the market. Some come with an open filter design while others are closed box ones. Here I’m going to talk about a closed-box cold air intake from this brand.
Volant 151536 PowerCore Cold Air Intake
Here I’m talking about this because I have a closer experience with this CAI system from Volant. This air filter will make you realize the difference between your stock CAI system and a quality aftermarket one.
Just like most others from this brand, it also comes with polyethylene air flow pipes and silicone connectors. Everything sits perfectly and turns into a one-piece airflow pipe that drives the fresh air towards your vehicle engine.
The filter it comes with is the PowerCore one. PowerCore filters hardly need any maintenance. Without any need for washing or anything else, it can support you for around 100,000 miles. It is an efficient filter made with special material. If you want, you can pick from two other options- DryTech dry filter and MaxFlow 5 oiled filter.
It has a full enclosure box that protects the filter from the heat produced by your vehicle’s engine. This is a good feature for sure, but the box doesn’t come with a see-through lid. So, to check the filter, you have to open the lid every time. I haven’t liked it. A clear lid would be better I think.
While talking about the performance, you can’t ignore the sound improvement. It looked like my engine has got a new life. It supplies a load of fresh air that helps your engine to utilize its ability as more as possible. You’ll surely be getting a massive improvement in performance. Also, it ensures a noticeable change in the mileage.
Overall, it is the thing we call a worthy cold air intake system. If you own a compatible vehicle, you should try this.
FAQs About Volant Cold Air Intake
How much HP does a typical Volant CAI provide?
Volant cold air intakes have come to help your engine to utilize its potential as much as possible. Still, we can’t tell a specific number when it is about horsepower improvement. It depends on several other issues like the condition of the engine, the driving environment, the quality of the driver, etc.
However, it is believed that a Volant cold air intake can increase the engine capacity up to 18 horsepower. The number is different in different cases. If your engine is well-maintained and you know how to get the best out of it, a Volant CAI can deliver such improvement in HP.
Is there any chance of getting my engine Damaged if I install Volant?
There is a chance that installing a cold air intake like Volant may damage the engine but that is not the fault of Volant. The wrong installation is the reason behind that. If you don’t install the CAI properly, it may stop other components from working properly. As a result, the engine gets damaged.
Some think that getting a CAI makes the engine work harder which reduces the engine life. This is not true. A CAI helps the engine to utilize its own capacity, not more than what it can do. So, don’t worry about that.
Is Volant CAI legal in California?
We all know that California comes with some restrictions on several product types, especially aftermarket accessories for vehicles. So, having this question in mind is common.
The good news is some Volant CAIs are not restricted in California. So, you can use those without any issue. However, according to CARB guidelines, you should have a replacement sticker if you replace your stock CAI with an approved one from Volant.
Volant Cold Air Intake Installation Guide
Final Verdict
If you to get a Volant cold air intake under your hood, I would say that it is a good decision. This brand manufactures and delivers some of the best aftermarket CAIs available in the market. Those can satisfy you from every perspective. My experience of exploring Volant CAIs has satisfied me which I’ve shared in this review.
However, for your vehicle, you might find anything else better than Volant as there are many options available in the market. So, the decision is yours. I’ve tried my best to talk as much as possible about these cold air intakes so that you can make a decision. Now I’m leaving the rest to you.
