CAI not worth it in cooler climates?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: Oxnard, CA
In reality in the old days it could go either way, reason being that most carbs were oversized in the jets dept and the increased air flow gave more HP and ran more efficiently. Depending on computer programs and injector types used the same could be said for todays engine. Best to make a real world test it doesn't cost much and you can always go back.
I believe there was a recent thread when the guy actually tested it on a dyno with the help of a friend. He did a few other things as well one of which was a chipset. The dyno curve on the last test looked worse to me over the RPM span of the engine then the original specs.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: sitting at my desk
im not tryin to rain on anyones parade, but CAI are pretty pointless. The gain in HP is very minimal (1-4hp(Ive even seen engines lose power)) and actually most "CAI's" produce warmer air due to the metal tubing. If you really want to get one, atleast look for one that has non metal tubing and some kind of heat shield. But for the money you could buy something else way more worth it.
It's long been proven that the air isn't in the pipe long enough for there to be much of a temperature difference, no matter the material. Acoustical tuning of the pipe is the most critical aspect, in most cases even moreso than the cool air temperature effect. Look at the AEM V2 intakes, they pretty much always outperform their "cold-air" counterparts.
Last edited by lightning; Nov 29, 2007 at 12:41 AM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
im not tryin to rain on anyones parade, but CAI are pretty pointless. The gain in HP is very minimal (1-4hp(Ive even seen engines lose power)) and actually most "CAI's" produce warmer air due to the metal tubing. If you really want to get one, atleast look for one that has non metal tubing and some kind of heat shield. But for the money you could buy something else way more worth it.
I put one on and noticed it right away even when reversing out the driveway.
Sounded real good too.
When I run between 1800 and 3500 RPM, especially towards the top of that, I could really feel the boost.
Above 3500 rpm it fell off rather sharply as to any HP help. Still sounds better tho.
After I crushed my muffler (coming of a stair step water fall), I decided to add a flow thru smaller muffler and sheild it. I had hoped it too would help the HP and sound etc. I couldn't tell any difference at all actually as to power but it did add a bit of throat to the goat. I think at the lower end it may have lost some boost actually. Could it be the motor needs a bit of back pressure?
Anyway they call it cold air but its really just MORE air. A good thing anyplace at anytime.