Aem Cai

[SpazPerformance]

A friend of mine installed his AEM CAI and now the car stalls out. Just wondering before he brings it into the shop if any of you have ideas I can tell him to try.

Thanks for the help
Derek

[moger21]

ummmm take it off lol, CAI tend to screw with the mass air senser which can lead to problems

[danny8630]

not to get off topic or anything, but if the ECU was tweeked for that CAI or any CAI, would it essentially work?

[keita]

I have heard a couple of arguments against using CAI on WRX.

1) As Moger mentioned, it screws up the air sensor.

2) It just doesn't help at all on turbocharged engines. Whatever "cold air" you intake, it's going to be heated up going through the turbine, and the effect if completely negated.

Put the stock airintake back in, and return that CAI if you can.

[ragnarok720]

The only CAI that effects MAF sensor are ones that use a larger pipe than stock. AEM has one that is same size which does bring in cold air to make power but however, on a turbo car that wont matter much. I have an AEM CAI and it looks cool but didnt get any power gains. I did notice steadier boost however.

[moger21]

Well with a CAI its hit or mis, one car may not have a problem but another car useing the same CAI may have a problem. on other forums i have read about people haveing problems with just about every CAI, but i have read just as many good points about it. and the pipe being the same size isnt the only factor, it also has to do with the shape of the pipe, because if the shape it wrong it can cause turbulence in the air as it passes the mass air senser which can cause a problem.

[ragnarok720]

I'd recommend tunning with one along with several other mods. People that have problems arent telling the whole story im sure. they probably abuse the living crap out of their cars.

[Igovert500]

I'd recommend 2 things, check all the vacuum hoses and sensor plugs...chances are you missed a plug to your air sesnor or a vacuum hose...this will cause any car to run horribly and stall.
Also, once you do get it going, let the car idle for 5-10 mins, just to get used to the intake.

While the power gains on a CAI are negated by a turbo, it is always better to have an open-element intake rather than a stock airbox(IMO). I don't have a wrx, but unless that car is different from any other I have ever worked on, an open-element intake will always flow more air than a stock airbox, and this in turn allows for a bit quicker spool time and increased performance. It may not show any more hp, as an intake is a minimal-gain mod to begin with, but it will help.

[keita]

Does anyone have any hard proof of how CAI would improve a turbo-charged engine's performance?? I'm talking dyno results and such, not some anecdontal stories about, oh my turbo seems to spool earlier or my buddy's car is running half second faster 1/4 mile with CAI. I'm just curious.