To CAI or not to CAI

[Roadpig]

Found this interesting discussion on matrixvibe.net. In the thread, they specifically BlueMatrixXR makes some good points why a CAI is a waste of money and that a stock intake with a high flow air filter is all you need. I thought I'd throw this out to the experts here and see what you all think.This will determine if I buy one or not.Thanks in advance." TARGET="_blank">http://www.matrixvibe.net/foru...529

[nismo]

Okay, to tell you the truth. On F/I cars, you should not change the stock air box at all. And about people not putting a/m intakes on their cars overseas, I have been over seas to shows and they do use them. So, I don't care what this guy says. I will stick with having an a/m intake. I love the way it sounds. I didn't buy this car to have low end torque/power. I bought cuz I liked it. If I wanted a torque beast, I would have bought a Grand Prix GTP.Inder

[Turbo5Speed]

A CAI is named so because it tends to draw air in further away from the hot confines of the engine compartment. The drawn air usually comes from the wheel well area, and scientifically, the colder the molecules are, the denser they are. Therefore, when you draw in colder, denser air, you draw in more molecules per area, the sensor picks this information up, and the injectors operate more effeciently to properly match the A/F ratio.A drop in filter would allow higher than stock airflow, but it would still be drawing in hot air.

[PhillyVibeGT]

The decision is up to you as to CAI or not to CAI, I did it, and I enjoy every second of it

[drunkenmaxx]

not to mention, the stock hose is restrictive as well! perhaps this guy is a player hater who bought a filter and is just jealous?

[wicked1981]

Quote, originally posted by drunkenvibe »not to mention, the stock hose is restrictive as well! perhaps this guy is a player hater who bought a filter and is just jealous?I agree.... Not sure how he KNOWS that most of the dynos are bogus.....

[futseal04]

THis blue matrix guy is an idiot. If i was on matrixvibe, I would tell him so. Here is what he wrote, and I will discuss his fallacies:You get better MPG because intakes lean you out. And let me explain this to you all so easily that even a 2 year old could get it. aftermarket Intake pipeing = larger then stock MAF censor = Stock Stock airbox = made for stock maf censor, evenly distributing air into stock intake hose. Aftermarket intake = bends before maf that maf isn't use to. Cone filters suck air directing most of the flow along the pipe, not in the center (where stock maf reads incoming air). Maf reads less air, maf leans out injector pulse. So when you say an intake crams more air into your engine, you are right. but it doens't give you the fuel. if you know anything about tuning Leaning is very very bad for compression and ignition. But if you want to make 1hp and get better gas milage while killing the life of your car go right ahead. It proves my theory that every other country around the world that tunes cars, IE Germany, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia don't use intakes. Why because they are worthless. Stock airbox or an upgraded airbox, like the ones Mugan make are the best. Get a better flowing filter and go to town.He incorrectly assumes that the MAF will not show the amount of air that goes into the engine. THe way he explains it is that there is not as much air in the center of the pipe. This is based on a half truth. The MAF senses the laminar airflow in the middle of the pipe. THere is also turbulent air along the pipe wall. What happens is that the turbulent layer of air is larger than what was incorporated into the engineering of the intake. Does this affect MAF sensing? Yes, but not to the extent that he says. Anyway, lean running (as far as his issues with CAI are ivolved) isn't that bad for a N/A motor. FI motors run rich at WOT to cool the combustion chamber temps, but we will negate that for now, since it only applies to a few of us.What happens is that you flow more air through less restriction, and the ECM compensates by running a little more rich than stock. Does it keep the same ratio? No, but for the mods 99% of people have, it shouldn't be an issue. Keep in mind that the manufacturer has noise regulations to deal with. That is a lot of what goes into a design. I think the only thing that this yahoo has said that is correct is that lean running is bad for your car. What he doesn't say is that it has to be extreme, and you would know it long before you ran into problems.As for the tuners comment, Lingenfelter, Hennesey, and Mallett (among others) all use either conical filters or intakes. I realize they arent from Europe or Asia, but when you have machines that run on pump gas and still make over 800HP, I would call that a pretty serious tuner. For more info, look here....http://www.caranddriver.com/ar...=8719

[Roadpig]

Thanks for everyones input. I think I will go ahead and get one.

[theangrydwarf1]

I put a CAI on my car just recently(with in a few months ago). I have to say that it made a big difference in the performance. Acceleration went up, not as much lag on take off either. Just my two cents.

[Psychobroker]

Quote »...everything futseal04 said...]Talk about a slam-dunk!

[Turbo5Speed]

Nice summary, futseal And the lingenfelter is a seriously incredible machine.If I upload it, I'll link a video I have of it obliterating a 10 second Eagle Talon tsi turbo AWD.

[damronjr]

Please do. That would be cool to see!

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by futseal04 »THis blue matrix guy is an idiot. If i was on matrixvibe, I would tell him so. http://www.caranddriver.com/ar...=8719He IS an idiot! I would tell him too! This is my third CAI (not on the Vibe) over the vehicles I have had. He tries to prove his point but he really does not understand engines. He is way off!!!! Does he not understand the computer adjusts fuel!

[Turbo5Speed]

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »Does he not understand the computer adjusts fuel! What does he think the Oxygen sensor is for under the hood? To moniter emphyzema patients? I'll post the video as soon as my computer is up and running again. Anybody know a good webstie for hosting videos? (Free, preferably)