So you don't have your new CAI on there now, I guess, and it seems to be running better? What brand was your CAI btw?
Personally I have an intake I built out 2-3 years ago from a heat-wrapped, 4" intake tube, enclosed K&N type filter and then a hose on the end of that hooked to a grinded out area on the left side of the grill. It does pull in outside air only.
I was thinking maybe the after-market, CAI setups sold in stores might be better since they're using shorter tubing with fewer turns and are not pulling air from a 90 degree angle from inside the grill like mine is.
But we'e probably talking a couple horsepower/lbsft torque difference on the 4banger vs. mine, which I can't say is really worth the effort. Still, I might order one give it a fit, see if there's any SOP change over a couple of weeks and over what I have now. If not, I'll take the shipping hit and send it back.