CAI/Short Ram

[DJE624]

I thought it would be nice to have our own discussion on cold air intakes/Short Rams.  I know there are at least two manufacturers and a lot of custom jobs out there.  What is your opinion on CAI's?  Do you have a preferable manufacturer or would you like to fab something up yourself?  They sound outrageous.  Do you get any perceivable performance gains?  I just have a K&N panel in my SHO.  For now.

 

[RoushF150]

Mine is an Airaid. I did my Corsa cat-back, CAI and Livernois tune all at the same time so I can not say for sure what the gains are or aren't. The OEM type fit and quality comes with Airaid and I have use the brand on an 05 Mustang GT, 2007 Roush F150 (Airaid builds the Roush unit), 2011 SHO and my 2013 BOSS 302. 100% satisfied. I can head the Turbos and BOV now with the Airaid. I recommend this kits as well as the Corsa and Livernois tune.

Ralph

 

[TSS]

I had an Airaid and now a K&N.  K&N absolutely gives you more sucking air sound and blow off valve noise.  I did not really notice a performance gain with either one and I have absolutely nothing to support this but I almost feel as though the airaid negatively affected performance.  No idea if the K&N will be permanent or I will get tired of the noise.  One advantage of the K&N is that you're able to check your transmission fluid dipstick easily while the Airaid covers it up.

 

[RedRocket327]

I've been thinking about putting an intake on my Sport as well but really trying to find someone locally that has one to hear it first.  I'm not really caring about the performance increase of it, just would like to be able to hear the turbos spool a bit.

On a side note, the factory intake tubing seems like a horrible design with it making almost a 180 degree reversal to go back to the front turbo...can't been good for flow!

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I made a custom CAI for my Flex, simply because there were none on the market at the time.  Mine is similar to 4DRHTRD's only it doesn't go into the fender quite as far.  I have about $60.00 in it, as I had a "J" pipe from a recall on my G8 GT RotoFab CAI.
I added a connector pipe and an AEM round filter.

Later, I purchased an AirAid CAI which I think really look nice.  However, I found that my IAT Temps were several degrees higher than with my home-made custom system.  While our engines ECM's read MCT rather than IAT, it never hurts to have the coolest air possible going into the engine and turbos.  The AirAid also seemed to heat sink much more quickly and cool down much slower than my system. 

Because I have a Carriage Works grille, which opens the front of the Flex to much more air, I often see IAT Temps below Ambient on the highway. 

Also have never had any overheating issues which seemed to plague early Gen 4 SHOs. Torrie offers larger radiators for any SHOs with that problem.

 

[arttyszka]

Has anyone here checked a CAI before and after with a dyno pull?  I have no experience with the Ecoboost platform (yet) but have a good friend who owns a Ford-focused speed shop and in the past some CAIs add some power, others do nothing, and some actually hurt.  Seat of the pants means nothing to me since your brain "wants" to feel an improvement since your wallet is a bit thinner after doing any mod.

 

[geswek]

I like my Airaid.

I may eventually do a custom job sometime; maybe.

 

[darreli]

Well...I have the Hennessey kit. I bought it before anything was out and that was the only option. At the time, I wanted to go quicker than Beefcake who had run a 12.7. However, if I were to do it all over again I would have saved the money (I did not however pay the price they are asking now..they gave it to me at an extremely discounted rate) and probably just went with a K&N panel filter. Maybe now with the turbos being re-worked the extra air that is available "might" be an advantage, but I think with stock turbos the drop in filter is more than enough and leads to what I believe is lower MCT temps...that's just my .02

 

[DJE624]

Back from the dead thread.  Lately, I've been thinking of getting the K&N Intake.  I know, I know, I've been spouting off pretty much about how I thought the stock box with drop in was the way to go.  BUT, I do like the idea of more engine sound including a little BOV.  Plus I always thought it looked cool.  I had a Typhoon in my Fusion and it was wild.  Sounded like it was sucking in the Earth's atmosphere.  I can get one now for $205 shipped.  Pretty good deal.  So, I don't know. 

 

[DJE624]

Here is K&N's graph.  I'm wondering if the gain would even out possible rises of intake temps. And, I'm starting to think it's probably close.  If so, all things being the same, I would have the benefit of looks and sound.  Even at a slight loss, I think the new Xv1 would get me my 12 next spring. I could always swap intake back to stock whenever.  Maybe run a comparison.

 

 

[shotime99]

k. Dumb question.. WHY would there be any difference between the 2 airaid kits available(oiled & dry) vs the K&N kit?? I like how the airaid kit fits in the pics.. I will order one of these kits but not sure what one myself!

 

[TSS]

I had the dry Airaid. No oiling needed. Dry is more expensive.    I can't imagine any HP difference.  I actually wish K&N had offered a non oiled with the Typhoon I have now.

 

[pejohnson]

I plan on doing a K&N drop in.  I agree the CAI looks cool but I'll save my money for other power upgrades.  My 2 cents.

 

[DJE624]

I had a Typhoon on my 2012 Limited but I took it out.  I felt that the noise was too much for a more luxury oriented car.  But now with the SHO, I'm thinking I'd like it.  The "oiled" part doesn't bother me.  I've heard the horror stories but I've had K&Ns on at least a dozen cars.

Tod-I know you are driving a Lincoln and have said you may someday get tired of the noise but what would you think of the Typhoon in a SHO?

 

[DJE624]

I'm gonna try it.  If anybody wants one at $205 shipped, here is the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161135015485?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[mjhpadi]

I have the Airaid and I love it.  I think it really improves the underhood look of the engine bay.  More performance...I seriously doubt that it does.  I would buy the Airaid again. Here's my reasons, first they were the first ones to make a kit for the SHO (reasonably priced) and they were very supportive of the new SHO and their customer service was super.  They did have a rep who was active on one of the SHO site's and really went above and beyond to help us early purchasers with the CAI.  However, I really love the intake bpd has and would consider one, since I believe that really does improve the performance and looks great. But until one like that is available as a kit, I'm real happy with the Airaid...good quality, good customer service and support, and after being dissed by K&N when their filter failed, I'm really quite pleased with Airaid.

 

[DJE624]

I know where you're coming from Mark.  I went with the K&N because I've never had a problem with them, the price was the lowest I've ever seen AND I want to hear the music of my motor.

 

[TouchOfEvil]

I just went with the simple drop in k&n unit on my sport. I do notice that the iat sits about 8 degrees warmer than ambient air with the stock setup.

 

[black99lightning]

I know where you're coming from Mark.  I went with the K&N because I've never had a problem with them, the price was the lowest I've ever seen AND I want to hear the music of my motor.

Definitely makes a lot more "turbo" noise.

 

[68_GT]

I'm really tempted too do it too for the turbo / BOV noise too. It shouldn't bo so loud that it get annoying right ? If you drive normal I wonder if it's quiet ?

that being said I wonder how a custom "you build it" from airaid sound / perform in comparrison to the K&N Typhoon ?