GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I have been planning on getting myself an intake for over a year now, but I'm still timid. I want a CAI, but South Carolina floods a lot, and I worry about Hydro-Lock. A short ram is my other choice, but it is not a CAI by any means. I know of the air-bypass valves, but I don't plan on getting an AEM. What has everyone elses experiences been as far as the CAI being too low, or getting wet?

I'll put it this way. There has only been one case of hyrdrolock on a Matrix or Vibe (that I know of anyway) documented so far. By the time the car finally died, the water was knee-deep and the person had to climb out of a window. Here's a link to the thread:http://www.matrixowners.com/ftopic13723-0-asc-0.htmlIn short, don't drive through a lake and you should be fine with a CAI.

don't think you'll have to worry about hydro lock really. but i have a cai and it would be nice to be able to get to the filter without sticiking my head under the front bumper.

quote:In short, don't drive through a lake and you should be fine with a CAI.Thanks everyone. The area is rather bad, near my house, as far as flooded roads. Mabey I can just avoid the big ones.

I posted some temperature measurements a couple of months back. The standard intake just behind the radiator support is only ~5 degrees hottter than outside/cold air, but the temp where a short ram inhales is 40 to 50 degrees hotter, thus losing ~5% power and cancelling most or all of the gain from the better airflow.

quote:I posted some temperature measurements a couple of months back. The standard intake just behind the radiator support is only ~5 degrees hottter than outside/cold air, but the temp where a short ram inhales is 40 to 50 degrees hotter, thus losing ~5% power and cancelling most or all of the gain from the better airflow.Wow, that's quite a big jump in temperature there.This is very interesting to say the least, and I don't know why it seems that I am confronting all this stuff you are saying (STB thread as well) ((I swear I don't have anything against ya! lol))I just got my K&N Typhoon Short Ram last week, and I have been driving around with it for the past week - and there is a definate difference in the car. My girlfriend, before I mentioned that I had the ram installed, asked me if I did anything to the car when I first picked her up in it after putting it on. There really seems to be a definite pickup in power with the short ram being where it is.HOWEVER, I plan on installing a tube system and even make it enclosed to run a tube from the front bumper up the short ram to give it the cold air that is directly flowing into the front of the vehicle. (Perhaps even ram air then) Because it is impossible to dispute the air being warmer where the filter isnow than to where it used to be - but as for a short ram actually giving you less power than stock airbox, I don't exactly believe that.To stay wholly on topic: I love my short ram Don't have to worry about water, and it looks a LOT better than a CAI in my opinion. Pics are coming of my setup as soon as some more things come in - a surprise of mods for most of you here

I remember reading that post. I forget....did you take the temps idling or when you where actually driving?Jim

TRDvibe is that really a sticker u have on your car in your sig?i want it

yes. ain't it cool? you should IM Silver. he gave me the link...

pretty funny sticker, but the cop behind you won't be laughing at your "i race on the street" billboard. this instantly tells him you like to race, next thing you know > he pulls you over for the christmas tree air freshener dangling from your mirror. just a thought

quote:the temp where a short ram inhales is 40 to 50 degrees hotter, thus losing ~5% power and cancelling most or all of the gain from the better airflow.I am hoping that once the car gets moving, the air moving under the hood would keep it cooler. Looks like a short ram will be the way for me to go. Especially since my wife drives the car too, and isn't very car savvy. It will make it easier for filter maintenance too, but I really would rather have a CAI.

quote:pretty funny sticker, but the cop behind you won't be laughing at your "i race on the street" billboard. this instantly tells him you like to race, next thing you know > he pulls you over for the christmas tree air freshener dangling from your mirror. just a thoughtExactly the reason I won't get one. I'm a target for cops as it is (must be the stunning good looks ) don't want to give them any reason to dislike me any more!

very true. but it also goes with my plates, Rice rocket (RIZRKT). I could always put my other ones on that say IGOBYU. I've only been pulled over once, in my laser red '00 Cougar going 10 mph over the limit. $50 ticket. Remember, I live in AK and it's not such an issue.... and really, I don't street race; I'm not that crazy. plus i also know a few of the cops since it's such a small community.

quote:the temp where a short ram inhales is 40 to 50 degrees hotter, thus losing ~5% power and cancelling most or all of the gain from the better airflow.I am hoping that once the car gets moving, the air moving under the hood would keep it cooler. Looks like a short ram will be the way for me to go. Especially since my wife drives the car too, and isn't very car savvy. It will make it easier for filter maintenance too, but I really would rather have a CAI. I measured the temps at speeds up to 70 MPH. It was still at least 25 degrees hotter; but if that's all that will easily fit...

quote:the temp where a short ram inhales is 40 to 50 degrees hotter, thus losing ~5% power and cancelling most or all of the gain from the better airflow.I am hoping that once the car gets moving, the air moving under the hood would keep it cooler. Looks like a short ram will be the way for me to go. Especially since my wife drives the car too, and isn't very car savvy. It will make it easier for filter maintenance too, but I really would rather have a CAI. me too, but i also would like a ram air hood of some sort. get a short ram intake and a hood that opens right on top like the SLP. then it's closer to a CAI....