COLD AIR OR EXHAUST

After reading over you're posts ! I can understand where your coming from, however I must respectfully disagree about what you posted, concerning how most CAI's get their air, from the exact same spot as the factory air-box is getting it's air from. Although, what you posted is indeed accurate ! You've overlooked one minor detail ? most CAI heat shields, such as the Steeda CAI..also draw air from the upper grille opening, in the corner on the driver's side, and also from the partial opening in the bottom as well. However other than for the very small opening in the fenderwell ! there's really no other place for air to be pulled into the stock airbox to reach the throttle body..Thanks to both the bottom and side sections of the airbox, being completely sealed off from the grille opening..Therefore, this leads me to believe that the stock airbox, is indeed very restrictive when compared to most aftermarket CAI's On the other hand, for what it's worth ? prior to purchasing my Steeda intake ! I had considered the WMS, for some of the same reasons you posted..But as far as I was concerned ? having to cut, and then splice into the factory wiring harness ! was just too high a price to pay IMHO..

Here is a pic of the wimpy stock air inflow hole...



I will soon be adding a billet grill so that will allow that much more cool air to be forced into my intake.

I keep finding testimonials that indicate the CAI is only a small part of whatever HP/TQ gain is derived from "getting a CAI". Most (up to 90%, they are saying) is from the "tune" required to turn off check engine lights caused by increased airflow from the CAI.

Let's say you get a good deal on a Tuner and spend $350 for it, and it gives a 20 HP boot to your power. Looks like about $17.50 per horse, eh? Now you go for the CAI at $200, and it adds ten percent, two HP at $100 each.

What do you think. Any data? Vendors of CAI need not reply.

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Me? I'd go for the exhaust: it may not measure very much on the dyno or at the strip, but every time you turn the key you get that endorphin jolt. Mmm-mm.

Frank S said:

I keep finding testimonials that indicate the CAI is only a small part of whatever HP/TQ gain is derived from "getting a CAI". Most (up to 90%, they are saying) is from the "tune" required to turn off check engine lights caused by increased airflow from the CAI.

Let's say you get a good deal on a Tuner and spend $350 for it, and it gives a 20 HP boot to your power. Looks like about $17.50 per horse, eh? Now you go for the CAI at $200, and it adds ten percent, two HP at $100 each.

What do you think. Any data? Vendors of CAI need not reply.

Click to expand...

Me? I'd go for the exhaust: it may not measure very much on the dyno or at the strip, but every time you turn the key you get that endorphin jolt. Mmm-mm.

Click to expand...

The quoted part below is exactly what I believe will be found if people actually *research* CAI's. It is exactly why my car with just a tune is seeing similar results of cars with CAI/Tunes. That is pretty much why I told anticubicle to do a controlled test on his CAI and tune combo.

Some of the better SCT tuners are getting around 20 - 30 RWHP on tunes alone. CAI's with tunes are in that ball park for RWHP gains as well. The data I have seen does not support that CAI's alone are creating significant HP.

When it is said and done, a car might see 1-2 RWHP but is that attributed to change in oil temperatures or perhaps more air pressure in the rear tires or is perhaps due to the CAI. Keeping it controlled will tell which it is.

I keep finding testimonials that indicate the CAI is only a small part of whatever HP/TQ gain is derived from "getting a CAI". Most (up to 90%, they are saying) is from the "tune" required to turn off check engine lights caused by increased airflow from the CAI.

Let's say you get a good deal on a Tuner and spend $350 for it, and it gives a 20 HP boot to your power. Looks like about $17.50 per horse, eh? Now you go for the CAI at $200, and it adds ten percent, two HP at $100 each.

What do you think. Any data? Vendors of CAI need not reply.

Click to expand...