Topic: Cold air intake

[frosty]

I added the 4.0 throttlebody without the spacer and I am very pleased. I am waiting for my spacer  As of now I have a k&N air filter in the stock box is it worth it to buy a cold air intake and if so which one?

billy

[Jeffy]

Personally I run a stock air box with a paper filter.  Most of us in dusty area's don't recommend using K&N's because they allow a LOT more dirt and dust to enter the engine.

Cold air intakes only work if you can get cold air into them and keep the hot air out.  Some that jsut add a filter to a pipe don't seperate the engine heat from the intake so you end up sucking hot air into the engine.  Probably negating any increase in performance you may otherwise get with a CAI.

I'd probably save your money for something worth doing or else go with a snorkel.

[chrisfranklin]

Yeah, I have one of these auction site fabricator intakes.  Has one of these new non-oiled, cone-type filters on it -- not an oiled K & N + it has  chromed out tubing  

Surprising thing is that when I check the throttle body, there's like no residue or dirt -- so, apparently the the non-oil filters flow ok but maybe don't let through as much dirt.  Is it CAI? Yeah, right, I wish.  

Off idle, no CAI is likely regrettable -- underhood is just a big hot air trap.  However, it seems like the little 4 is still making good torque with the kit I have (just not as good as if a CAI were in place).  However, keep in mind that the stock air box and a Tube/Cone intake kit are both going to pick up air from the same position under the hood -- cone is just going to be pulling from the sides more and allowing air more in.  I kind of think of the 4 Banger stock air-box as a hot air box that is restrictive, too.  Let the debate insue    

But, once you get rolling with the Tube/cone intake I have, the flow-through must be ok because throttle response is solid, you have the whole RPM range to work with, etc (i'd never get above 3500rpm with the stock box; an intake will let you run out to 4500 comfortably -- just your going to have to add some engine oil  

Yeah, your brakes get thrown off by a high-flow kit but, I am looking to make minimal investments in a an adjustable MAP sensor and a CARB'd CAI before Emissions Tests at end of this year, anyway.   So, hopefully, all systems will become a little better synchronized w/a little hands-on help from the Turbo City guys in OC.