maybe a dumb CAI question...

looking at what some are calling CAI's look to me no more than a cone filter to replace the stock air box. How can these meet the "cold air" part of the requirement if they're pulling air from the engine compartment?
 
I am not exactly sure whisch intakes you are talking about but...

CAI's like the injen get cold air from the wheel well. The intakes that get the air from the engine compartment are Short Rams.
 
Heres the dealio,

A CAI isn't a CAI if it pulls in hot air. So really, unless it's specifically called a CAI, it's just an intake.

AEM makes a Short Ram, which is a good intake but it isn't quite as good as a CAI as it pulls in hot air.

Injen makes a CAI. This sucks in cold air which improves performance. But, it's more expensive and getting into the wheel well can suck, not much though. Also, there are a lot of threads on the dangers of water being sucked in. But basically you would have to do some very silly things to force that to happen. Like drive through 2 feet of water.

The consensus from what i've seen has leaned towards the Injen CAI. I have it and it improves throttle response, adds a couple HP, and makes a cool whistling sound.
 
custom CAI

one can make the stock intake on the p5 a modified CAI. First one must dismantle the intake assembly. There is a long square collector that extends off the bottom of the intake assembly...but which is sealed and draws no air. the collector goes off the joint by the air-box down past the tranny to the floor. In the floor right below it is a vent to cool the transmission. In my case i cut the bottom off the collector and drilled 2 2in holes in the plastic floor pan right below the collector... although this is unnecessary i think it improves the CA aspect since it pulls right off of the ground...A duel benefit is that it cools the tranny and engine compartment by letting in more air...Put screen over the holes to prevent any large objects from entering..that should do it...questions let me know
 
Guys we need t clear things up a little. There is no such thing as a COLD AIR INTAKE system unless you are getting air from a refrigerator or live in alaska. PERIOD. It is called fresh AMBIENT air. IT will naturaly be COOLER than engine compartment air as long as the source is able to reach the atmosphere outside the the area of exhaust and moving engine parts. The company that first came out with a "CAI" has taken the words "cold" out of context because they know it is meant to provide better performance characteristics if the charge is cooler/denser. Peole forget though that it depends on the temperature differential from the engine bay to the outside ambient temps that will be the difference in quality of charge. It is not "COLD" just cooler (in most cases) than what they can get with just a cone filter and no stock box. And on another note some systems have seen almost NO improvement in HP potential with any type of system installed. In fact they will lose torque to the wheels if the system is actually pulling air into the runners that is hot from the radiator fan.
 
there was a dyno done and AEMs short ram was the best of all of them, the Injen is more for looks, the heat diffrences in them are not that great at all to even effect anything. If you want performance use AEM SR if you want looks get a Injen, both are way better then the dreaded stock air box but CAI blah, i love the marketing games they play to think its better. ;)
 
I dont think that detailed explanation was quite necessary.

The fact is...outside air will ALWAYS be a colder temperature than air from under the hood.

BTW, "Cold" and "Cool" and "Ambient are all subjective and relative words. A temperature that is 200 degrees F can be "Cold" compared to a 500 degree oven. If we are going to be obnoxiously specific, at least be correct in your explanation.

The Injen CAI is worth the extra money. There is a noticable increase in torque. However, I would save your money if you plan to go turbo.
 
ashevansracing said:

BTW, "Cold" and "Cool" and "Ambient are all subjective and relative words. A temperature that is 200 degrees F can be "Cold" compared to a 500 degree oven. If we are going to be obnoxiously specific, at least be correct in your explanation.


..well i was going to place dry ice in the intake area in order to drop the ambient temperature - as well as have a 50 shot of liquid nitrogen - just in case :D
 
ashevansracing said:
I dont think that detailed explanation was quite necessary.

The fact is...outside air will ALWAYS be a colder temperature than air from under the hood.

BTW, "Cold" and "Cool" and "Ambient are all subjective and relative words. A temperature that is 200 degrees F can be "Cold" compared to a 500 degree oven. If we are going to be obnoxiously specific, at least be correct in your explanation.

The Injen CAI is worth the extra money. There is a noticable increase in torque. However, I would save your money if you plan to go turbo.
Dude are you kidding me??

An explanation is definatley necessary. Not everyone knows the difference and certain things need clarification.
And where are you coming up with an oven comparison??
cool ?? cold?? ambient ?? Are relative words???
Come on man. If you dont know me then dont post such nonsense. I come onto every thread to give my .02 cents. This community is here to enjoy its self when talking to others about like subjects revolving around their cars and here to learn from one another. Please dont be so aggressive when you are new to the forum.
And BTW a $250 injen is NOT worth the performance gain.
 
ive got the the ractive intake and i think it's the coolest!
the engine is more responsive,it feels like it has more power,theres this cool growl when you accelerate, the rpm is lower on the highway and it seems like 1st and 2nd gears have become more smoother.
the car also takes off much better, smoother and faster in 1st and 2nd.

the car feels and drives more sporty!
i took my friend for a drive and he was v.impressed and he was saying how cool it sounds now.
i'm so glad i got it
 
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And BTW a $250 injen is NOT worth the performance gain. [/B]

see my previous post above... perfworks is right. in fact the AEM SR had more gain over the Injen.

BTW perf.. I never got to say hi... I have been in the turbo threads. glad to be here. :) Peace- Trav
 
arrogant??

I was being clear... The oven comparison is logical comparison. I dont its bad to put your 2 cents, just be clear. But perhaps I am not as cool as you because I dont have 1,200 posts...

You dont know me either.

Why wouldn't this be fun?
 
deckedoutmp5 said:


see my previous post above... perfworks is right. in fact the AEM SR had more gain over the Injen.

BTW perf.. I never got to say hi... I have been in the turbo threads. glad to be here. :) Peace- Trav
Whats up bud. Good to hear from you.:D keep up the good posts
 
I am aware of that... I was simply saying that I preferred Injen.

The reason why the AEM gets more hp is due to the fact that the pipe is shorter. However, the Injen produces more torque due to the fact that the air is more dense in the wheel-well than under the hood.
 
ashevansracing said:
arrogant??

I was being clear... The oven comparison is logical comparison. I dont its bad to put your 2 cents, just be clear. But perhaps I am not as cool as you because I dont have 1,200 posts...

You dont know me either.

Why wouldn't this be fun?
Arrogant yes!!
You were but its cool. If thats the way you come onto a forum and post fine. Keep it up and see how fun YOU make it;)
Its not an even comparison. Your dealing with engine compartment temps in relation to ambient temps from the outside of the vehicle. NOT a kitchen accessory.
And to CORRECT you the post count is over 1600;) :p
But to be cool you need like 4000 posts!
Please dont make this into a pissing contest. We can go to the flamewars section for that if you really need to vent:)
 

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