Expert Opinion Needed!

[Marauder131]

I have been inquiring with regard to cold air intakes this past week, to which members have been kind enough to offer input. The primary factor in whether I would go the route of installing one hinges on the ability of a CAI to properly protect the engine, comparative to the stock air box and filter. Is there a logical trade off for the increased performance of the CAI, even a small one? Expert opinions in this area would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[Raudermaster]

I don't follow your question, elaborate a bit?

[Marauder131]

Essentially, I have concerns that a CAI, although possibly providing an increase in performance due to increased air flow, would in doing so, not provide the same degree of filtering capabilities as compared to the factory set up. The stock set up is quite good, so any devaition to an aftermarket kit in hopes of a power increase, in my mind, must provide the same degree of engine protection.

[CRUZTAKER]

Your'e merely opening up the area for which air to flow.
Both filter styles protect equally.

Your only concern should be what if the car runs poorly after the install?
Some MM's don't adjust over time as they should.

Mine (used to) occationally stall when cold, and stopping in reverse.

(Wasn't) a big deal.;)

[ckadiddle]

OK, I am not an expert. Regard this as an Official Crackpot Opinion. I am not worried about a little more grit or dust getting into my engine and wearing it prematurely because I religiously have the oil changed every 3000 miles. I drive mainly on pavement in an urban area and occaisionally interstates. I rarely drive in dusty environments. In my case, the risk is minimal in my humble opinion. If you live out in the sticks and have to drive some miles on dirt, gravel, etc roads, then I would stick with the stock intake and filter system.

[KillJoy]

All of the aftermarket CAI include a high performance air filter. If you are not comfortable using one of those kind of filters, do NOT get a CAI.

All you are doing is putting on a K&N Style air filter. It is a NON ISSUE in my EXPERT opinion.

KillJoy

PS - I am an EXPERT. Just not in this field ;)

[SlkMerc]

I am certainly not an expert. However I can share my experience. My MM came with a JLT. Runs great and even better after the tune. I clean and oil mine at each oil change with the K&N maintenance kit. Took a few times to get the oiling process down. I love the fact that I dont have to buy filters anymore and that sound of the hood being sucked in when I romp on it is amazing!

[fastblackmerc]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

+1!!

[RF Overlord]

M131:

I'm not an "expert", althought I play one on this board... :D

I have the PHP CAI, which I got from Dennis. I think CRUZTAKER and KillJoy explained it best but here's my $0.02:

Think of filtration and flow as equal, yet opposite. You can have 100% filtration, but then you'd have zero flow, and vice versa. A high-performance air intake will, of necessity, not be AS good at filtration as the stock filter, unless the replacement filter is a lot larger, as most of them are. Although there is anecdotal evidence that the K&N drop-in panel filters allow a fair amount more dust/dirt than the stock paper elements, the PHP and the JLT CAIs sold here are not the same thing. They have larger conical filters and they do a better job, hence their increased cost.

[O's Fan Rich]

And they sound cooler than the stocker....

[Agent M79]

Try staying at a Holiday Inn Express and you will not only have a complete understanding of CAI kits but particulate suspension as it relates to fluid dynamics and you may revolutionize the field.

I had a '74 Caprice that I ran without a filter at all. The rest of the car rotted before the engine could have croaked off.

Come to think of it... it didn't have much in the way of an exhaust system either... or brakes... the brakes were 'pump and pray' brakes.

[MENINBLK]

Get the K&N AirCharger and add the DryCharger Air Filter Cover.
The DryCharger filters out all of the particulates that the K&N Filter does not.
It also keep the K&N Filter dry and cleaner longer.

[vkirkend]

What he said....

[magindat]

First read RC signals.

Filtration is improved by reducing the velocity of air. For the same volume over an increased area, velocity per sq in in reduced, thus increasing filtration. If you measured the sq in of conical filtration compared to stock flat filtration, you'd quickly see the benefit of the conical have far more filtration area.

Now, since there IS more area, there is less restriction. Less restriction means more flow. However, the increased flow still does not increase to more than the flow per sq in of stock. Therefore, you have better filtration AND better flow.

Then, go the step further of taking the kinks out of the stock intake patch and walla. More flow = more power.

The engine BENEFITS from this flow because the piston is not working as hard on the downstroke to draw air in through the valve.

So, the ECU takes advantage of that flow because the MAF reading corrects the fuel input for the increased flow. More air + more fuel = more power. Furthermore, a tune can take further advantage by changing timing to match.

The draw back? The only draw back is that when you install a freshly cleaned and oiled conical filter, some oil residue will become airborne. This does not harm the engine in the least. However, over time, it WILL dirty your MAF which will eventually present as reduced performance.

So, for about $5 more, get a can of MAF cleaner which will clean your MAF about 4 times or more and clean the MAF when you clean your filter.

In summary, the true cost and draw back for the increased HP is a little more maintenance labor. the advantages are better filtration, more horsepower and less stress (though marginally) on the engine.

Oh yeah, BUY A JLT TODAY!!!

[Marauder131]

Has anyone tried mating a metco carbon fiber intake tube to a JLT or K & N conical filter and heat shield?

[Marauder131]

Conical type filters as found on the JLT are certainly popular, and with so many on the market, one would surmise, that they must provide reasonably adequate protection for the engine. However, I personally don't believe such set ups provide filtering capabilitities on par with stock paper filters and air boxes. Now, that is only my opinion. Some will agree with that assertion, some will not. If there is legit data proving the effectiveness of such cold air set ups/filters, believe me, I'll have a JLT on the way ASAP. I'd be all for it. To me though, an additional 10-14 horsepower, as appealing as it would be for the price, would not be advantageous if it poses the prospect of lesser protection for such an expensive engine. I'm by no means biased against such intakes/filters, it just seems as though any data I find, assuming accurate, seems to lend credence to the sentiments above. Just my 2 cents.