cold air intakes

I heard you lose Hp with these, is this true? I just want to buy one and install it, not make a custom air scoop. Is it worth the $100-$200 to buy one? It's supposed to be the cheapest, best upgrade for your car. If this is not the case, then which is?

thanx: DW

how would you lose hp?
a cai brings in more cool air than a short ram style... which means more power b/c of the lower denser temp air... its worth it...
when adding an intake, you are flowing more air, less restricted... which may result in a slight tq decrease, but not a decrease in hp... and this is at low rpm... but it will rev faster... so it is almost unnoticeable...

I was reading this article on the net: http://www.geocities.com/stutzedward/Cold_Air_Intake.html

I just need some auto expert to tell me if this guy is full of bs or not.

Cold Air intakes do work. Buy one if you can, I have felt a power difference.

Ive never heard anyone say that before.. It would almost be impossible not to gain hp becuase it is bringing in colder air then inside the engine compartment... Now if you have something like a JRSC I heard its better to have a Short ram because its 3inches instead of 2.5 (AEM intakes) which allows more air. With the JRSC you dont really need colder air because the JRSC will heat the air anyway. Thats the only time you wouldnt advantage from a CAI that I can think of...

that's what that guy said, that intakes suck in hotter air than the stock one's b/c they set INSIDE the engine bay. and hotter air makes you lose Hp of course. he said that in order for it to work properly, the intake opening must be outside the engine bay. Is this true?

well... true... but if you are taking in more air with an intake, it offsets the heat... if you suck in alot of hot air with a short stack intake, or a little cold air with the stocker, then you are at least gaining there... and the air flow velocity with an intake vs the stock one is much higher as an aftermarket intake flows more air smoothly...
it is true that a cai will flow more air, cold air... but you dont lose out with a short stack over the stock intake. a cai is better than that though...

sounds like you pay a couple hundred to come out even. Or do you really gain Hp in spite of the air being hotter.

Would you reccommend a K&N filtercharger over a cai? (my dad's lookin into getting a K&N cuz its alot cheaper)

fact of the matter is that if you dyno w/ stock vs the intake (cai or short stack) intakes get more hp
same with runnin at the track
higher velocity air means better. end of story. even if it is marginally warmer, the benefits outweigh the cons...

i read somewhere that you have to make a change to cold air intakes when it rains...is this true, and if it is, what kind/how hard is the change you have to make?

How careless are you when it rains? Do you drive through big puddles? I had a CAI on my civic for almost 2 years, and I never had any problems. What you want to be carefull of with a CAI, is getting the cone submerged in water. When that happens, you get instant Hydrolock. :)

Originally posted by Darkwing
sounds like you pay a couple hundred to come out even. Or do you really gain Hp in spite of the air being hotter.

Would you reccommend a K&N filtercharger over a cai? (my dad's lookin into getting a K&N cuz its alot cheaper)

With a aftermarket intake, you have the ability to bring more air into the motor, faster. That is why even with a WAI you will still see gains. The three best bolt on parts you can get, are Intake, Header, and a Exhaust. The reason being, is again, the faster you can get more air into the motor, and the faster you can get the exhaust out, the more HP you will gain. If I were in your position, I would maybe spend the $30 for a K&N now. Then save to buy all three at once. When you do this, you will really be able to feel the difference with the three, over one by one.

if you had a hood scoop on your car as well as a cold air intake, would there be a possibility of getting the cone wet? I also saw something about a water trap, but the website said that it would result in a loss of power. What's the truth about all this crap? (if u want to see the website i'm talking about, it's an ad for an ICEMAN CAI, at http://www.mmrusa.com/iceman.html. Thanx.

Originally posted by Slow
if you had a hood scoop on your car as well as a cold air intake, would there be a possibility of getting the cone wet? I also saw something about a water trap, but the website said that it would result in a loss of power. What's the truth about all this crap? (if u want to see the website i'm talking about, it's an ad for an ICEMAN CAI, at http://www.mmrusa.com/iceman.html. Thanx.


Broken link. :)

But, as for the hood scoop. No, the cone could not get wet throught the hood scoop. With the CAI the cone filter is actually placed down low, behind the bumper, but in front of the tire. I will try and find a picture of it.

sorry, the link should be "...iceman.htm" not "html", but thanx for info on the hood scoop

interesting stuff here... thanx for info. Gimme more!!!!:D:D

i got the website out of the back of Sport Compact Car magazine, there's a whole list of websites for dealers. The website is www.sportcompactcarweb.com (http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com), but i was having problems w/ it earlier, so try adding "/main.shtml" after it. They have some info on their project cars, and links to a few suppliers, but the big ass list is in the back of the mag.

There are 2 general thoughts on the intake of air into a engine:

1. Air temperature and density. Cooler air is denser. This will provide more power for the engine. There is a limit to the coolness though. Air temperature of 55-65 degrees is best for power. But the bottom line is to get air from outside the vehicle to the engine. Air from the engine compartment is hotter, so it is not as dense because it is warmer.

2. Where you get the air from the outside can matter. Placement of the air intake (hood scoop, etc.) can make a difference also. Putting the air intake is important because of the way air flows over the vehicle's bady at speed. You want to catch the air where it travels over or in front of the vehicle so this air is forced into the intake scoop.

Example: If you put a air scoop in the front of the vehicle, you can get a RAM effect at speeds of 80 MPH and greater. The effect is small, but increases the faster you go above 80 MPH.

Other things to look out for is simple flow mechanics. You want a air intake system that isn't too big or too small. Too small, and at maximum RPM the engine may not get enough air because the piping isn't big enough and restricts. Too big is possible, like using a 8" diameter pipe to feed a 4" diameter intake manifold. The air never gets up to proper velocity before entering the intake so you also lose power.

The last thing is how the air is routed into the intake manifold. The straighter the shot, the less resistance and better flow. Many manufacturers are forced to weave the air intake system around cross members and other things so all those twists and turns just add alittle hinderance to the incoming air. Keep the air intake as straightforward as possible!

The older Trans Ams from the 70's is a good example. The hood scoop was backwards (facing the driver). It was more for decoration but if you opened the scoop so it was actually functioning then you did get a HP boost. But because the scoop was facing the windshield, air didn't flow straight into the air housing! So at high speed there was turbulance in front of the hood scoop intake mouth and that lost a few HP. Turning the hood scoop around would have made a difference.

Ive never heard anyone say that before.. It would almost be impossible not to gain hp becuase it is bringing in colder air then inside the engine compartment... Now if you have something like a JRSC I heard its better to have a Short ram because its 3inches instead of 2.5 (AEM intakes) which allows more air. With the JRSC you dont really need colder air because the JRSC will heat the air anyway. Thats the only time you wouldnt advantage from a CAI that I can think of...
I have one on my s-10 blazer with a 4300 v6 and it works great.
I also have a air intake temperture control senser upgrade from gorilla chips and what it does is lies to the computer that cold air is coming all
the time and so far i have been very pleased.The cooler the air the better it runs so keep that in mind as well as the more air the better so there is know way a cold air intake would cause you to loose hp

just thought you'd like to know that all your "gorilla" chip is doing is making you get shitty gas mileage.

just thought you'd like to know that all your "gorilla" chip is doing is making you get shitty gas mileage.
Well that shows how much you know about what i am talking about.
Gas mileage has'nt changed one bit . Performace wise the big dog will eat dude . I mean it is just 4300 v6. But with the mods i have done it is a well mtuned machine . Her is my list :hypertech programmer , flow master exhaust with high output cat converter throttle body spacer, cold air intake .and under drive pulleys and last but not least the gorilla senser . I have to say that it will surprise you because I have been in some pretty quick cars in my life . BY know means is it 8 sec machine or something like that but it is quick for a 4300

Reviving old threads is a poopy thing.

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