What makes a Cold Air Kit...a Cold Air Kit?

0

05PhillyStang

Member

Oct 28, 2004

120

0

16

Mar 24, 2006

#1

• Mar 24, 2006

• #1

I'm new to modding so I apologize for the newbie question. Other than a tube and a filter, what makes a cold air kit?

I thought of this question when i saw the Steeda cold air kit that utilizes the stock piping. There has to be something in there other than a filter, a heat shield and a little piece of tubing.

I want to get a CAI, but like I said, I'm new to this. It's time for me to replace my filter. So in the meantime I figured I'd buy a Fram filter from Pep Boys to hold me over until I decide on a CAI.

A friend of mine suggested that I just a cone filter from K&N for now, until I get a "real" CAI. I really doubt that this suggestion is any good, but then I saw the Steeda CAI, which looks like nothing more than a cone filter with a heat shield.

Can anyone shed some light?

 

F

FlyFish

New Member

Mar 24, 2006

3

0

0

Mar 24, 2006

#2

• Mar 24, 2006

• #2

Not being a mechanic of any kind (I do read alot, however), the new Mustang has a very small air intake, 2" opening if I recall, which restricts air volume. The cold air kit increases the air intake volume considerably. More air, more compression, more horsepower.

 

J

JRPony

New Member

Jun 10, 2005

83

0

0

Las Vegas, NV

Mar 24, 2006

#3

• Mar 24, 2006

• #3

A true cold air kit will draw air in from the fenderwell or some other location where the air temp is considerably lower then the air temp in the engine compartment. I would say 90% of "cold air kits" are not cold air kits because they are not drawing in cold air. A heat shield around the filter area does not make it a cold air intake.
BTW, to poster #2, colder air does not increase compression. Cold air is denser, which means the air drawn in will have more oxygen molecules then the same volume of hot air. Since there is more oxygen to burn, HP is increased. But don't expect much from just a cold air kit.

 

firestang70

New Member

Jun 19, 2005

114

0

0

Sardinia OH

Mar 25, 2006

#4

• Mar 25, 2006

• #4

05 Philly with a good CAI, tuner ( take it to a dyno for the best results), you should see 20-30 hp increase. I have a Tunable Induction and love it! The C&L(pricey) is good and people speak highly of the JLT II. Good luck!

 

8

8850

Founding Member

Jun 3, 2000

464

0

16

TX

Mar 25, 2006

#5

• Mar 25, 2006

• #5

JRPony said:

A true cold air kit will draw air in from the fenderwell or some other location where the air temp is considerably lower then the air temp in the engine compartment. I would say 90% of "cold air kits" are not cold air kits because they are not drawing in cold air. A heat shield around the filter area does not make it a cold air intake.
BTW, to poster #2, colder air does not increase compression. Cold air is denser, which means the air drawn in will have more oxygen molecules then the same volume of hot air. Since there is more oxygen to burn, HP is increased. But don't expect much from just a cold air kit.

Click to expand...

I don't think there is a real cold air intake for our new Mustangs. They all draw from under hood warm air. Not sure why they are even called a CAI. But they do increase hp/torque.

 

F

FlyFish

New Member

Mar 24, 2006

3

0

0

Mar 27, 2006

#6

• Mar 27, 2006

• #6

JRPony - thanks for the clarification on the cold air kit.

I have a lot to learn I see.

 

0

05PhillyStang

Member

Oct 28, 2004

120

0

16

Apr 10, 2006

#7

• Apr 10, 2006

• #7

Thanks for all the responses. I'm starting to understand this whole CAI thing, but I still want to ask:

Why not just throw a cone filter and a heat shield on my stock piping and get the same results? It seems to me that's what Steeda did

 

0

05PhillyStang

Member

Oct 28, 2004

120

0

16

Apr 10, 2006

#8

• Apr 10, 2006

• #8

Thanks for all the responses. I'm starting to understand this whole CAI thing, but I still want to ask:

Why not just throw a cone filter and a heat shield on my stock piping and get the same results? It seems to me that's what Steeda did

 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

May 1, 2005

3,015

1

79

7200 feet

Apr 10, 2006

#9

• Apr 10, 2006

• #9

you can do that, but the pipes smooth out the incoming air....

 

J

J DeMolet

New Member

Oct 21, 2004

116

0

0

Apr 11, 2006

#10

• Apr 11, 2006

• #10

The 05/06 systems are my first underhood systems with the designing of the 05/06 precluding having the filter in the inner fender.

I wanted to provide the coolest area possible with the intake underhood and thusly the full surround polycarbonate shield.

The shield will block heat to 270 degrees and retain all the cool incoming air in the squared off section while sealing against the hood blanket and not allow any fan wash coming across the filter.

The plastic construction will also insulate from heat obsorption.

It's as close as I could come up with with the system being underhood.

'In motion' the system will stay cool, allow cool air from underneath for filter breathing, and trap the cool air in the shield area, while not restricting the filter in an airbox.

 

Tmack

New Member

Oct 15, 2004

171

0

0

Salt Lake City, UT

Apr 11, 2006

#11

• Apr 11, 2006

• #11

Save your money and just drop in a K&N air filter and get a tune. You will have the same result.

 

0

06GTVERT4DE

New Member

Dec 28, 2005

41

0

0

Apr 12, 2006

#12

• Apr 12, 2006

• #12

[QUOTE Why not just throw a cone filter and a heat shield on my stock piping and get the same results? It seems to me that's what Steeda did[/QUOTE]

You should get the whole kit including the programmer. If you don't reprogram, you will not get the added benefit of the CAI. Also, your car will run too lean. Do it right and the the whole kit and programmer!

 

Thunder Road

New Member

Dec 8, 2004

45

0

0

Wichita Falls Tx

Apr 12, 2006

#13

• Apr 12, 2006

• #13

Quote:

I don't think there is a real cold air intake for our new Mustangs. They all draw from under hood warm air. Not sure why they are even called a CAI. But they do increase hp/torque.



Actually there is one from Western MotorSports. It draws from under the front of the hood.
http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/05hvi.htm
You "do" have to line the underside of the ram air box with an insulation blanket to get the full benefit.

 

S

Spdfreak

New Member

Feb 21, 2006

276

1

0

Apr 12, 2006

#14

• Apr 12, 2006

• #14

Sidebar question. I just bought a K&N drop-in. Will it throw a cell if I install it?

 

S

Spdfreak

New Member

Feb 21, 2006

276

1

0

Apr 14, 2006

#15

• Apr 14, 2006

• #15

Bump for answer, please.

 

K

k5zx

New Member

Apr 6, 2006

116

0

0

Apr 19, 2006

#16

• Apr 19, 2006

• #16

cai on 5th gens

FlyFish said:

Not being a mechanic of any kind (I do read alot, however), the new Mustang has a very small air intake, 2" opening if I recall, which restricts air volume. The cold air kit increases the air intake volume considerably. More air, more compression, more horsepower.

Click to expand...

So maybe CAi are more better for 5th gens than the earlier models?
see:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/03/coldair/index.shtml

in light of the above article, what is the point in this thread at all?