Car Talk

[Mustang02]

Looks good! You gotta keep that filter on your CAI cleaned and well oiled....they get dirty super fast. Looks like this one's going to be a pita to get too, but you're getting some great air flow with it there. [emoji106]

S5 tap'n

It's a BBK, not a K&N. It might just be a paper filter. My filters would get dirty in the wheel well so I moved to a K&N FIPK system that takes are from inside the engine bay.

 

[94lt1]

Lol.. That cai routes almost like the version for an lt1...opposite side.. But down in front of the tire.

My k&n on my trans am stayed pretty clean.. Until I ducted air flow right to it..

 

[cerisecons]

It's a BBK, not a K&N. It might just be a paper filter. My filters would get dirty in the wheel well so I moved to a K&N FIPK system that takes are from inside the engine bay.

But doesn't that defeat the purpose of a CAI? You want that cold, dense outside air...

 

[Mustang02]

But doesn't that defeat the purpose of a CAI? You want that cold, dense outside air...

Once you get moving, it doesn't matter where the air comes from. Most new cars draw from inside the engine bay instead of the wheel well. My truck and mustang draw from driver side behind the radiator fender. And the whole forced air thing is a myth. It causes disturbances near the MAF which can cause the vehicle to studder.

 

[cerisecons]

My F350 7.3 would disagree, but SoCal is different than the current ice box

 

[Mustang02]

What are your IAT temps? Mine don't go up very much and the coyote engine runs hot.

 

[cr6]

My F350 7.3 would disagree, but SoCal is different than the current ice box

I agree, my past vehicles always ran much better after installing a box around my CAI to block out the hot air from the engine. Just as your vehicle feels peppier on a cool crisp day, as opposed to a hot humid day....
Obviously it's not a huge difference but it is noticeable imo.

S5 tap'n

 

[cerisecons]

My CAI is an AFE with the separate box that seals to the hood to totally separate the intake as well, pulls air in through an enlarged opening in the fender. The kit's filter is 250% more surface area than the stock and I added a port out the front of the grill for the forced induction effect. It really made a difference as I tested the throttle response with the port open and blocked. The interior IAT will be whatever the ambient air around the engine would be obviously as the compartment heats up and the exhaust system heats, over 1400deg with acceleration, this adds to the intake temps. Obviously the full 1400 isn't transfered onto the compartment but the radiant heat with the turbo equipment is hotter than w/o a turbo etc.

 

[94lt1]

I agree, my past vehicles always ran much better after installing a box around my CAI to block out the hot air from the engine. Just as your vehicle feels peppier on a cool crisp day, as opposed to a hot humid day....
Obviously it's not a huge difference but it is noticeable imo.

S5 tap'n

CAI's run better with air being shoved into them from the front of the car... Colder air than the engine bay has to offer... Ever seen the fan in the front of the dyno???

The reason so many CAI's take air from inside the valance is due on the low pressure area there... They work better in a "ram air" situation...

 

[Mustang02]

Oh I'm not saying to suck it off the headers, just in the fender wells weren't that effective and got dirty.

This is where my mustang pulls air from. (Driver side)

 

[Mustang02]

CAI's run better with air being shoved into them from the front of the car... Colder air than the engine bay has to offer... Ever seen the fan in the front of the dyno???

The reason so many CAI's take air from inside the valance is due on the low pressure area there... They work better in a "ram air" situation...

What? No!! The fan in front is to cool the car down due to it not moving.

Forcing air down a CAI can cause the MAF to have irregular voltages and that will cause the engine to run lean on a Naturally Aspirated car. Forced induction is another beast on it's own. This is for EFI vehicles. My 4BBL carb'd Trans Am loves having air shoved down it's throat. Putting in phenolic spacer and running without air filter is a ton of fun.

Good read.

Why aftermarket Cold Air kits don t work

 

[cr6]

CAI's run better with air being shoved into them from the front of the car... Colder air than the engine bay has to offer... Ever seen the fan in the front of the dyno???

The reason so many CAI's take air from inside the valance is due on the low pressure area there... They work better in a "ram air" situation...

I understand that. (I should have explained that better....not completely enclosed) The box I was referring to is simply to go around three sides to shield the intake from the majority of heat from the engine bay with "colder" air being funneled in from the front.

S5 tap'n

 

[Mustang02]

See my picture? It's blocked from heat soak.

 

[cerisecons]

No MAF in my diesel truck. It's personal preference, and will be argued as long as there still are fuel powered vehicles.

 

[Mustang02]

Diesel is another different beast.

What's to be argued? Just talk to a reputable tuner, he/she will tell you. Mine can show you voltages of stock airbox and CAI airbox. CAI was worse on the 2011+ GT.