The cold air intake debate
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 125
From: Hampton, VA
Car Info: '03 Silver WRX
From what I've read, CAIs don't do sh*t for the WRX. Short ram intakes seem to be okay, but most people just end up reinstalling the stock air box and drop in a new foam filter.
I've done the silencer mod, but am yet to buy an aftermarket foam filter, or a short ram intake for that matter. I think it will be one of my last mods if done at all.
Also, try doing a search for "CAI" or even "Injen" because I know this has been talked about quite a bit on this forum, as well as others.
Hope this helps you out.
I've done the silencer mod, but am yet to buy an aftermarket foam filter, or a short ram intake for that matter. I think it will be one of my last mods if done at all.
Also, try doing a search for "CAI" or even "Injen" because I know this has been talked about quite a bit on this forum, as well as others.
Hope this helps you out.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 125
From: Hampton, VA
Car Info: '03 Silver WRX
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 261
From: So. Ca., CA USA
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Originally posted by Scott@S-Squared
cold air intakes dont do anything when the cold air passes through a hot *** turbo
cold air intakes dont do anything when the cold air passes through a hot *** turbo
BanHammer™
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 47,596
From: Wagonmafia Propaganda Lieutenant
Car Info: 2014 Forester XT
if the factory comes with a CAI ( which I guess if you want to you can call it that ) why do people need to install aftermarket ones then ?
either way, a cold air intake is not going to make any difference when the intake charge is heated to 200 deg. Thats why we have intercoolers on turbos.
If a CAI really did something, maybe we could just throw out the IC and be done with it
:banana:
either way, a cold air intake is not going to make any difference when the intake charge is heated to 200 deg. Thats why we have intercoolers on turbos.
If a CAI really did something, maybe we could just throw out the IC and be done with it
:banana:
Last edited by Max Xevious; Nov 3, 2003 at 11:34 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 261
From: So. Ca., CA USA
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Originally posted by Scott@S-Squared
if the factory comes with a CAI ( which I guess if you want to you can call it that ) why do people need to install aftermarket ones then ?
if the factory comes with a CAI ( which I guess if you want to you can call it that ) why do people need to install aftermarket ones then ?
Originally posted by Scott@S-Squared
either way, a cold air intake is not going to make any difference when the intake charge is heated to 200 deg. Thats why we have intercoolers on turbos.
either way, a cold air intake is not going to make any difference when the intake charge is heated to 200 deg. Thats why we have intercoolers on turbos.
Cooler air entering the turbo means cooler air exiting the turbo which leads to less load on the intercooler.
- Kean
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 261
From: So. Ca., CA USA
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Originally posted by Scott@S-Squared
if you heat an oven to 400 degrees, does it not get to 400 becuase its colder outside ?
if you heat an oven to 400 degrees, does it not get to 400 becuase its colder outside ?
- Kean
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 26
From: Palmdale
The oven will heat to 400 degrees, but it would take more energy to do so. But just like the oven on a cold day, the cold air intake temperature on a heated turbo charge will make miniscule differences, and probably zero impact on performance.
But if you want the intake for just the looks and sound alone, and a possible turbo upgrade in the future, then go for it. The Injen cold air intake is actually listed as one of the "predictable" intakes according to Cobb Tuning for their ecu upgrade.
But if you want the intake for just the looks and sound alone, and a possible turbo upgrade in the future, then go for it. The Injen cold air intake is actually listed as one of the "predictable" intakes according to Cobb Tuning for their ecu upgrade.
I've got an injen cai, and it hasn't given me any problems. Of course, it doesn't do jack! Waste of over 200 bucks if you ask me. If you MUST get one, this would be the one to get. As mentioned before, Cobb has maps for it for their access ecu. I also talked to someone from Turbo XS, and he said that the injen is not that bad. If you run a utec, you'll just have to play with the timing a bit and you're good to go. Stick with the stock airbox though.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 261
From: So. Ca., CA USA
Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester
Originally posted by Dave04WRX
The oven will heat to 400 degrees, but it would take more energy to do so. But just like the oven on a cold day, the cold air intake temperature on a heated turbo charge will make miniscule differences, and probably zero impact on performance.
The oven will heat to 400 degrees, but it would take more energy to do so. But just like the oven on a cold day, the cold air intake temperature on a heated turbo charge will make miniscule differences, and probably zero impact on performance.
I guess the main point here is that the factory intake (CAI or not) is more than adequate to handle the job. Up to this point, no one has proven to me that an aftermarket CAI provides appreciable gains in performance. I take it we agree on that?
- Kean
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Posts: n/a
I would partially disagree about CAI.
Buying an aftermarket CAI is probably a waste of money - u can make your own either using standard airbox or not.
However anything u can do to lower the intake temps preturbo is good.
The oven example is wrong in this case. Remember the engine even at idle is sucking in huge amounts of air - so turbo can only add so much energy (or heat) as the air passes through.
So the lower temp it enters the lower it exits.
Why is cooler air good ?
1. The air is denser thus more energy available
2. Lower chance of detonantion.
Real world testing has shown real benefits. Best example you stop at the lights for 5mins say - your under bonnet temps just soar and that the air your sucking into the intake.
Most CAI can lower intake temps by 10-20 degrees easy.
What i suggest u do is take air temp readings in the inner guard versus the stock intake - there is a huge difference.
My own experiances are after going CAI i have picked up 1 psi over stock on normal days and 2psi on cold nights.
Cost $0
Buying an aftermarket CAI is probably a waste of money - u can make your own either using standard airbox or not.
However anything u can do to lower the intake temps preturbo is good.
The oven example is wrong in this case. Remember the engine even at idle is sucking in huge amounts of air - so turbo can only add so much energy (or heat) as the air passes through.
So the lower temp it enters the lower it exits.
Why is cooler air good ?
1. The air is denser thus more energy available
2. Lower chance of detonantion.
Real world testing has shown real benefits. Best example you stop at the lights for 5mins say - your under bonnet temps just soar and that the air your sucking into the intake.
Most CAI can lower intake temps by 10-20 degrees easy.
What i suggest u do is take air temp readings in the inner guard versus the stock intake - there is a huge difference.
My own experiances are after going CAI i have picked up 1 psi over stock on normal days and 2psi on cold nights.
Cost $0