The cold air intake debate
#152
Look guys I dont know about the rest of you running CAI but I picked up some mid and top end and about 1pis on the boost with the ingen set up, my powerplant is basically stock
#154
i have a question for everyone. if cai dont do jack crap how come it leaned out my engine(and im not the only one saying this) and cause it to knock(after installing upipe, together w/ DP and catback). after i took it off, my car was fine. so, i think it's fair to say that cai does take in extra air. the only explanation i can think of is that the stock ecu setting couldnt cope w/ all the extra air(knocking,no noticable performance gain). if im right, then it is fair to say cai only works w/ a tuned ecu. if im wrong, please enlighten me
#155
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Originally Posted by imprezilization
i have a question for everyone. if cai dont do jack crap how come it leaned out my engine(and im not the only one saying this) and cause it to knock(after installing upipe, together w/ DP and catback). after i took it off, my car was fine. so, i think it's fair to say that cai does take in extra air. the only explanation i can think of is that the stock ecu setting couldnt cope w/ all the extra air(knocking,no noticable performance gain). if im right, then it is fair to say cai only works w/ a tuned ecu. if im wrong, please enlighten me
Maniac
Last edited by Maniac; 11-15-2004 at 01:15 AM.
#163
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Since I just made a random post, let me clarify when it is okay to buy a cai. There are companies that made cai's that will work properly with the maf sensor and times when buying one makes sense(such as when your fmic does'nt fit with the stock intake) but for what you pay for one, even when you need it thier not worth the money.
#164
Originally Posted by Choku Dori
I have an idea. Why don't you leave the CAI on for an extended period of time and report in periodically about how your car's doing. I think that'll settle the issue nicely, no?
I was told that people have popped their pistons, fried rings, etc from running with a CAI even though they didn't get CELs or symptoms. I would love to hear a real life account of something like this because from what I've learned about engine management it seems like it would take a seriously poorly designed system to allow something like this too happen.
Furthermore, I've read several accounts of people getting horrible gas mileage which is alleviated by removing their CAI. This to me makes perfect sense because if the tubing is incorrectly shaped and causes erroneous readings from the MAF (computer thinks there's more air than there is) then the computer compensates by dumping extra fuel into the chamber. I'm pretty sure most systems are engineered with a "rich is better than lean" approach.
I'm still waiting for some real info instead of people just repeating what they've heard from the beginning of time. I'm not saying that there isn't a problem because I think there very well could be - but I'm not one to say oh all these guys say pull it off and just do it - I'm one to ask WHY.
Anyways, I am working on yanking it anyways because I don't want to hydrolock my engine after failing to notice a big puddle
#165
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Originally Posted by LeadFoot77
I was told that people have popped their pistons, fried rings, etc from running with a CAI even though they didn't get CELs or symptoms. I would love to hear a real life account of something like this because from what I've learned about engine management it seems like it would take a seriously poorly designed system to allow something like this too happen.
I'm still waiting for some real info instead of people just repeating what they've heard from the beginning of time.
Just having a CAI may not cause kaboom,because really, an non-compensated PTFB is far more dangerous IMO. CAIs are not really terrible. But chances are you will run a little leaner without any benefit, and possibly with detriment, and certainly with a waste of money.
Why not just save the money and get something that will actually increase performce and do it in a proven safe manner?
jason