CAI madness

slubcr · 03-27-2006, 12:20 AM

I am curious why all the companies are selling these as cold air intakes. They all are designed to draw air out of the same left fender as the stock intake. Even there ads claim the cold air improves the performance. I guess it all dates back to when cars didn't come stock with CAI's and the mods were just that. Anything to sell a product I guess. Now before every starts the flaming, I know that these mods do produce more horsepower, but not because of colder air, but because they all decrease the resistance to get that same fender air to the motor and thus increasing the flow. Just call it what it is dang it, "decreased air resistance intake" or DARI. I should copyright that, lol.

pi3yeargrad · 03-27-2006, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slubcr

I am curious why all the companies are selling these as cold air intakes. They all are designed to draw air out of the same left fender as the stock intake. Even there ads claim the cold air improves the performance. I guess it all dates back to when cars didn't come stock with CAI's and the mods were just that. Anything to sell a product I guess. Now before every starts the flaming, I know that these mods do produce more horsepower, but not because of colder air, but because they all decrease the resistance to get that same fender air to the motor and thus increasing the flow. Just call it what it is dang it, "decreased air resistance intake" or DARI. I should copyright that, lol.

How bout the volant with the "ram air?"

slubcr · 03-27-2006, 09:50 AM

Not really much of a ram air if you ask me, although it does help with the cold air part of the claim I suppose. But, the fender has enough airflow though it to keep the air the same temp as the outside world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pi3yeargrad

How bout the volant with the "ram air?"

*TitanFan59* · 03-27-2006, 09:54 AM

It's not so ram air.

Aquaholic · 03-27-2006, 05:29 PM

The purpose behind a cai over a stock box is more air=more power, gas mileage, performance. I may get air from the same spot but it gets wayyyyyyyyyyy more air then the stock box.

pi3yeargrad · 03-27-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanFan59

It's not so ram air.

I know its not "so ram air" but like the guy mentioned...it helps with the "cold air" or "colder" air aspect...

**chunko** · 03-27-2006, 06:04 PM

Agreed.

But Decreased Air Resistance Intake doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

It's basically two categories now:

Cold Air Intake
True Cold Air Intake

pi3yeargrad · 03-27-2006, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adavis99

Agreed.

But Decreased Air Resistance Intake doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

It's basically two categories now:

Cold Air Intake
True Cold Air Intake

which would be a "true" cold air intake? Do they even make one for the titan?

**chunko** · 03-27-2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pi3yeargrad

which would be a "true" cold air intake? Do they even make one for the titan?

AFAIK, no they don't. CLosest is the Ram Air Setup. A cold Air intake runs the hose and filter outside of the engine bay (usually below/in front bumber)

-AD

slubcr · 03-27-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaholic

The purpose behind a cai over a stock box is more air=more power, gas mileage, performance. I may get air from the same spot but it gets wayyyyyyyyyyy more air then the stock box.

I never said they didn't increase the airflow, as a matter of fact thats exactly what I said. But, they do not increase power, gas mileage, or performance by being a cold air intake though. They do it by decreasing the resistance of the intake system to increase the airflow. Hence they should change the name to a DARI. I said it here first, so when Volant starts naming their new intake the DARI generation 4, you can all pay me respect. LOL

**chunko** · 03-27-2006, 10:58 PM

For those of you wondering about a "True" cold air intake...

I found a decent pic:

Notice how the filter is located OUTSIDE the engine bay...this is a true cold air intake.

Most system are just increased flow intakes. For trucks...these are usually not so popular because you usually suck the air from below the truck...that means no more puddle/stream fun.

-AD

rcantu · 03-28-2006, 05:59 AM

So what happens if I'm in. The desert in the summer? That air is no longer cold

Then it should be called "atmosperically lower temperature than in the engine bay intake " LOL

There's enough room in the fender area but a prefilter should be put on since it's much more susceptible to dirt and definitely mud.

Those snorkels would be more cold air I guess.

**helomech** · 03-28-2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adavis99

For those of you wondering about a "True" cold air intake...

I found a decent pic:

Notice how the filter is located OUTSIDE the engine bay...this is a true cold air intake.

Most system are just increased flow intakes. For trucks...these are usually not so popular because you usually suck the air from below the truck...that means no more puddle/stream fun.

-AD

I really don't think that the air those true cold air filters see is much different than the ones for the titan. When you are doing 60 down the highway the air under the hood is not going to be much warmer than the air outside. Especially when it is getting most of its air from the fender.

**chunko** · 03-28-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helomech

I really don't think that the air those true cold air filters see is much different than the ones for the titan. When you are doing 60 down the highway the air under the hood is not going to be much warmer than the air outside. Especially when it is getting most of its air from the fender.

I agree 100%. The main benefit is suckin cold air in from the stop. I doubt you could really see much of an improvement. However, on a dyno...you're not moving so it could help there. But not exactly real world hp if you ask me.

*Lowmpg* · 03-28-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adavis99

The main benefit is suckin cold air in from the stop. I doubt you could really see much of an improvement.

You see a large difference actually. In stop and go traffic most SRI applications net a negative HP gain. I had an rsx type-s 3-4 years ago. I upgraded from an Injen SRI to CAI. I too was sceptical but wow what a difference.

Sure the SRI had a tad better throttle response due to the tube length but it did not compare to the CAI at all.