Twincharger vs. regular CAI?

[Kuro3]

I know this is the subject of a lot of debate on these forums, but, what really adds the most performance, the sri or the cai? You said that the cai pulls better because it get's colder air from below, but the sri's sucks in more and the mazda front actually redirects air upwards from the bottom of the car (or something like that), the cai's pipes heat up anyways, so effectively it's hot air too, the sri's end up being less expensive than the cai's, and some sri's are louder than cai's some are not


do we have any definitive answers? Or did my post answer my own question in that when it comes down to it, it's really only a matter of opinion?

 

[JCell]

it's up to you, most of my CAI pipe remains relatively cool until the last section, which does heat up with the engine, i've had that intake for 3 florida summers and never hydrolocked it


SRI are ok but i personally don't like looking at dirty filters inside my engine bay, they are louder but my CAI is loud enough


it's up to you bro, good luck

 

[Protephile]

In theory, you'll get the most gain from a CAI.
Now, we're talking, at most, about a 1-2 whp difference here. If you're the kind of person who wants to squeeze every bit of hp from your engine get the CAI.

The only SRI for the 3 that I know of is the Carbon Fiber SRI and it's very nice but it is as much for looks as gain.

Amazingly enough, I just happen to sell both.

 

[TheBryGuy]

It really comes down to how much money you want to spend and which one YOU personally like better. The difference is peanuts.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

What SRI are you talking about? If its the Cf one its not really that loud (compared to the CAI's I had on my p5 not too long ago). My vote is for the CAI.

The filter on the simota looks decent, I wouldnt worry about the quality of it.

 

[thebeansoldier]

I know this is the subject of a lot of debate on these forums, but, what really adds the most performance, the sri or the cai? You said that the cai pulls better because it get's colder air from below, but the sri's sucks in more and the mazda front actually redirects air upwards from the bottom of the car (or something like that), the cai's pipes heat up anyways, so effectively it's hot air too, the sri's end up being less expensive than the cai's, and some sri's are louder than cai's some are not


do we have any definitive answers? Or did my post answer my own question in that when it comes down to it, it's really only a matter of opinion?

Yes, i've tested air intake temps of both the stock intake (without the resonator, so it gets air in the same area as an SRI), the F2 3.0" intake, an the AEM.

let me pull that real quick...

 

[Kodiac 3]

picture of how my intake sits on my car.... i accidentally left some screws to the wheel well at thebryguy's house and my well got shredded to pieces........

i will throw CELs like a mofo but i am not hydrolocking..... the intake is very tolerant and sounds great. My opinion: Buy it if you remember where the screws go to put the wheel well cover back on......

 

[Protephile]

OMG are you really riding around like that?????

 

[Kodiac 3]

been like that since the saturday after you sent it to me.....

i gave you some quality real life R&D man....
no hydro lock for me. but it will throw a CEL after it gets enough water.

i am convinced that hydrolock is something hard to do.... LOL

 

[Sveivo]

Meh, just keep your stock intake and if you ever have any problems, throw it back on the car(first)

I say just keep your stock intake...on the car

 

[Protephile]

I say just keep your stock intake...on the car

If everyone thought that way, I wouldn't have anything to do!

 

[Kodiac 3]

stock is not the way to go....

live dangerously.... i laugh at CELs

 

[Kuro3]

Hey Dim, what kind of shift knob is that in your profile picture?? I want one.

 

[Sveivo]

Hey Dim, what kind of shift knob is that in your profile picture?? I want one.

That is a stock shift knob that the early P5's come with. It's not a bad knob, I like it, while most don't. But then again I am for keeping my car stock .

Edit: You could probably get one off a member here or on ebay. People tend to get rid of them. Although I'm not sure if it will fit the 3. Probably will though.

 

[Kuro3]

awesome. Thanks, Dim. I'll check around.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

It will fit the 3

 

[Sveivo]

Cool!

 

[Kooldino]

I know a lot of people with CAIs who end up getting small amounts of water in their engine which ***** with their MAF sensors.

 

[JRH1]

For your CAI, AEM makes an air bypass valve to prevent hydrolocking. It's on their website. I found one on eBay for something like $35.

Also, this sort of thing won't void your warranty at all. Unless it causes a big problem that the tech at the dealership can point to and say "Your aftermarket performance part damaged your car," you'll be totally fine. In fact, there's a law that states that we as consumers have the right to replace manufacturers parts with higher-quality bits. Most corporate aftermarket parts websites will have a little disclaimer about that.

 

[Sveivo]

Yeah, but if you consider that the stock air box flows just as well, you can just not worry about any of this s***.