what is classified as a CAI

[typan]

Sorry guys but what is classified as a CAI, don’t most new cars have a CAI as a standard now days?

[mikel]

no, it would mean an aftermarket intake set up, generally designed to draw air from the fender.
True, often there are open element intakes that are referred to as CAI's, its sort of a 'kleenex' effect.

[typan]

OK mikel, What if I mod my factory intake which will draw air from under the fender?

[Mike_Levy]

A panel filter will never flow enough to be a good CAI, so no matter how much you mod the stocker, its still not a CAI. You can get a CAI on eBay for less then the cost of a K&N panel filter.

[typan]

thanks, you just saved me the work in reworking the stock intake/filter

[Mike_Levy]

Messing with stuff is fun. I totally cut up the box on my V before I put on a CAI. Same thing with my Jeep SRT8. Maybe its just me, but cutting stuff up is way fun!

[typan]

I'm the same, some time it works & other times it don't it's all about the fun of trying to make it work

[oilslick]

I totally cut up the box on my V

That sounds painful!

[neonsox]

I agree with the OP about the factory intakes and have been arguing against cold air intakes for a while. Most factory setups flow air just fine, and just about every one of them is a sealed pathway to some place outside of the engine bay. Most so-called "cold air" units have you throw a filter at the end of a tube *inside the engine bay* and claim a 20 HP increase. I think they are another aftermarket "mod" that drives a huge industry aimed at intaking your wallet.

[Mike_Levy]

I agree with the OP about the factory intakes and have been arguing against cold air intakes for a while. Most factory setups flow air just fine, and just about every one of them is a sealed pathway to some place outside of the engine bay. Most so-called "cold air" units have you throw a filter at the end of a tube *inside the engine bay* and claim a 20 HP increase. I think they are another aftermarket "mod" that drives a huge industry aimed at intaking your wallet.

The dyno doesn't lie. Even a cone on a stick inside the engine bay flows better then a panel filter could ever dream of. More media, less restriction.

[typan]

Both of you guys make sense, a panel filter has less surface area than a cone CAI filter type but sucking hot air from under the hood, that can’t be good!!!

[Mike_Levy]

The air under the hood isn't all that hot when you're moving. Theres air going through the grill into the engine bay, flushing the hot air out. When in motion, the underhood air should be right around ambient temperature, unless you're sucking air from right near the headers.

[brandy16]

I agree with the OP about the factory intakes and have been arguing against cold air intakes for a while. Most factory setups flow air just fine, and just about every one of them is a sealed pathway to some place outside of the engine bay. Most so-called "cold air" units have you throw a filter at the end of a tube *inside the engine bay* and claim a 20 HP increase. I think they are another aftermarket "mod" that drives a huge industry aimed at intaking your wallet.

I have a volant CAI. It draws air from below the front fender. Same as the stock box. So no hot air from under the hood. The differance is in the filter it flows more air.