Short, Long & Cold Intakes

[MadBill]

(Warning! Technobabble Alert!)There's been lots of discussion re above, so I thought it was time to weigh in with some more data. Last winter I posted thermocouple readings which showed that at zero F., the intake air on a base Vibe was only ~5 degrees hotter than outside air. I have now repeated these tests, with the following results:Ambient air: 80 F.Intake air just inside the snorkel:Hot idle: 88 -90 F.60 MPH cruise: 85 -86 F.Intake air at throttle body: 8 -14 F. above snorkel air temperature.Underhood air at typical intake location for a short ram system:Hot idle: 155 F.30 MPH: 145 F.60 MPH: 135 F.What's it all mean?1. As discussed previously, the benefit of a "CAI" is only slightly, if at all, due to the cold air. It's the reduced restriction, plus likely some pressure-ram tuning that gives the gain.2. At one percent power loss for every 10 degree F. temperature rise, a short ram starts off with as much as a 7% temperature-induced HP loss vs. a stock system!3. The stock system heats the air ~10 degrees as it flows through all the pipes and boxes. (if I get a chance to take measurements on a CAI system, I'll see if the increase is less) (End Technobabble Alert)

[QUIKAG]

Nice writeup! People just need to read S L O W L Y and they'll figure out the gist of what you're saying.

[MadBill]

Yes, the crowd's kinda thin up here on the techno-peaks, isn't it, QUIKAG?

[QUIKAG]

quote:Yes, the crowd's kinda thin up here on the techno-peaks, isn't it, QUIKAG? Yes, but even though I consider myself fairly knowledgeable in the car world and with things in general, I bow to your technical understanding and experience. I am a young accountant by trade and cars are my main hobby, well, besides women. I don't have the patience to be an engineer or scientist, so I just enjoy reading what other people 'discover.'

[dmitri]

nice data

[ArcsVibe]

Thanks for the report!

[ragingfish]

So are you saying I wasted my money on a CAI?

[ragingfish]

quote:So are you saying I wasted my money on a CAI?NO NO.. It should be renamed or something.. There is no real different in temperature on the air that the intake brings in..MadBill is basically saying, the CAI works better because it is less restrictive..Like trying to drink from a straight straw rather than a straw that has twists and turns in it.. Follow me?Ahh...ok, I follow ya now. Thanks for the english translation silver...

[ArcsVibe]

Quote:Ahh...ok, I follow ya now. Thanks for the english translation silverWhat? You don't understand Canadian???

[ArcsVibe]

Fish! You gotta to learn the Canadian lingo!!!Rob, I would rather forget that post.......How is the ankle doing?

[ArcsVibe]

I am glad for all of his helpful reports also Have a good nite Rob, I need to get some sleep!Later bro, get well soon, you owe me a race at the Ferrari dealer!!!