Get a SRI or remove resonator and add K&N?

[BrianG]

Did a search, but didn't find the information I was looking for...

Anyway, I'd like to increase the power a little. After reading several posts here, I'm trying to decide between installing a SRI (specifically this one), or just removing the resonator and using a drop-in K&N air filter.

I'm guessing that going with the SRI route will give me a little more gain, but would like to hear from the experts here. The cost between the two is really negligible, but it seems that the SRI route will be easier to return to stock (if ever desired) since the resonator doesn't have to be removed. Any thoughts/opinions? TIA

 

[goldwing2000]

Removing the resonator doesn't do anything besides make it louder (speaking from experience).
Adding a K&N will help a little, adding an SRI will help a little more, adding a CAI will help a little more.

 

[tsunami]

i have that SRI, and once i got used to the noise i like it a lot, the performance gains aren't huge for sure, (i am sure a better flowing exhaust would help) but $$ has limited my purchase so far. and it wasn't hard to install at all, the price couldn't be beat, and the CF was/is oh so sexy!!!!

 

[BrianG]

Thanks guys. I thought I read someone say removing the resonator increased performance a little. Oh well.

What is the difference between the SRI and CAI? I know the CAI goes into the fender area where the resonator used to be for cooler air, but doesn't an SRI have soem type of enclosing box that causes the air to come from the grille area, which would be just as cool?

The reason I don't want CAI is because it goes so low and don't want to chance ingesting H2O into the engine from big puddles or whatever. If it doesn't go as low as I think it does, I might go with the CAI. The only thing holding me back would be the hassle of re-installing the resonator along with the stock air box if I need to get warranty work done.

 

[goldwing2000]

First off, you would have to drive through about 12 inches of water to suck anything into a CAI. You shouldn't be doing that, anyway.

Secondly, you could probably just re-install the upper air box without the lower resonator and the stealership would never know the difference.

 

[RedRaptor]

Does a K&N Filter drop in actually have any gains? Would a person with a CAI notice a lot more gains compared to a drop in?

 

[SlimMilkMan327]

well from having both, the CAI is a much better choice. Pickup is better, less lag, keeps the engine cooler, looks great. the sri soaks up hot air and makes the engine lag and also waste more gas.

 

[BrianG]

First off, you would have to drive through about 12 inches of water to suck anything into a CAI. You shouldn't be doing that, anyway.

Secondly, you could probably just re-install the upper air box without the lower resonator and the stealership would never know the difference.

Thanks. I know I shouldn't be driving in that much water, but wasn't sure how low the CAI goes. Plus, one time my old Contour got flooded in a freak storm and did not ingest water because the air source was not low at all. I am not anticipating going through that much water, but stuff happens.

I just called the dealership and asked them how a CAI effects the warranty and they said installing a CAI does not void the warranty unless it causes something else to go bad. I just hope they don't try to blame anything that goes wrong on the CAI.

 

[tsunami]

with that specific sri there is a shield (the oh so sexy carbon fiber one) that keeps the intake seperate from the engine bay with holes directed towards the grill.... i haven't noticed any lag but the only thing i have to compare it to is a cai my lil bro used to have in his neon, and i like mine a lot more.... perfomance wise i would say the dif in gains would be negligable...(sp) and then there is the fact that the resonator can just stay in there.... but i haven't drivin a 3 with a cai so i can't say for sure that the sri is better then the cai... i have hit some nasty flooding with my car totally didn't see how deep it was and started to float before my momentum carried me through, was glad that i didn't have a cai then... cause you never know...

 

[BrianG]

Now I'm as undecided as ever. On one hand, the SRI is easier to install/remove, the resonator can stay in, less chance for water ingestion, and is cheaper. On the other hand, the CAI offers better performance. Arg!

By the way, do you mean this SRI? http://www.umnitza.com/product_info.php?cPath=81&products_id=272

That's the specific SRI I was looking at. One question about the Umnitza SRI; do you clean it like you would a K&N (will the K&N cleaning kit work)?

 

[tsunami]

By the way, do you mean this SRI? http://www.umnitza.com/product_info.php?cPath=81&products_id=272

That's the specific SRI I was looking at. One question about the Umnitza SRI; do you clean it like you would a K&N (will the K&N cleaning kit work)?

yes thats the one i have, and as i haven't had to clean it yet, only had it about 7k or so miles, it is a hard fiber coated filter element, so i am not sure what kind of cleaning solution it will need, i know it can be cleaned i just haven't looked as to how yet... i think there is something on their website that has a how to... or you could just drop them a line, they were very friendly with all questions i had... if you wanted to i am sure you could change the filter element out to a (insert fav aftermarket filter here) as they make most of em an all sizes imaginable.... and then you can use their cleaning methods...

 

[randomlinh]

there's a lot of debate on whether or not that SRI actually has any gains.. no one has dynoed it. Those that have it do seem to have a better throttle response, and of course, the sweet sound

I am looking for gains, so it looks like I'll get a CAI sometime down the road. It may be 3 years from now since I want a short shifter, got springs, and tires first So I might just drop a k and n in for a couple of years