CAI Throwdown

[MidWest281]

I find it hard to believe that you get 35hp from a Cold Air Intake. I don't think it's the fresh air inlet that makes a difference, it's most likely just the air filter that makes the difference. The aftermarket air filter just restricts airflow less than a stock air filter.

Changing your exhaust system has the same effect, typically reducing back pressure.

You don't need to buy a CAI "system" to see horsepower gains...just allow air to more freely flow into (or out of) your engine and you'll see horsepower gains.

my .02

[BLK2012GT]

Originally Posted by MidWest281 I find it hard to believe that you get 35hp from a Cold Air Intake. I don't think it's the fresh air inlet that makes a difference, it's most likely just the air filter that makes the difference. The aftermarket air filter just restricts airflow less than a stock air filter. Changing your exhaust system has the same effect, typically reducing back pressure. You don't need to buy a CAI "system" to see horsepower gains...just allow air to more freely flow into (or out of) your engine and you'll see horsepower gains. my .02

You don't get 35hp just from the intake. That hp number includes a tune and that's where most of the power comes from.

[46Tbird]

The only thing I find concerning about "CAIs" is that they don't do a good enough job of isolating hot underhood air from the intake stream. Some of them have no shield at all, or a cheezy plastic barrier and piece of weatherstrip. A few of them use a fully shielded box and I like that. Another concern is some CAIs produce noisy MAF signals, hurting driveability and power.

I don't think they're all bad. The smooth intake tube with a larger diameter and all that surface area on the conical filter is a no-brainer for making good power. Plus they just look great, especially the Steeda (IMO).

I like that the stock airbox is sealed and feeds from the grille opening, behind the fog light where inlet temps are ambient. Several cars are going deep 11s with this piece so I think I'll stick with the stock airbox for now.

I'm very interested in a back-to-back-to-back comparo of all these brands on one car on the same day. I know dyno time is hard to get at TS and you'd rather have a paying customer on it than some useless dyno flog, but it would be good info for all of us.