Sealing Airaid Intake (Take 2) Comparison Modded K&N vs Stock VS Modded Airaid
- Thread starter ShoBoat
- Start date
THIS IS THE EMAIL THEY SENT ME AFTER REQUESTING UPDATED GASKET.
FROM AIRAID.
Over the years we have looked at several different weather strip options and thru extensive testing we found the blade type weather strip to be the most effective and durable for everyday use.
There has been some recent talk on the forums where customers are modifying the weather strip on the Airaid intake system for their racing applications. One if the modifications has a customer are gluing a piece of foam to the top of a loop type weather strip where the other installing a taller piece of the blade weather strip. While both of these modifications may have shown some different results for customers at the track there are several other variables that also have to be taken into consideration that may have been the cause of these. Another thing to think of are the disadvantages that can come with these modifications.
Due to the harsh under hood environment of a vehicle we found thru testing that a foam type weather strip deteriorates much quicker therefore becoming less effective and requires replacement. This is not something that we want a customer to have to do on a regular basis.
The taller blade type weather strip on the other hand can cause a fit issue potentially interfering with the hood closing properly and/or premature wear to or actually cutting thru the under hood pad. Again, not something we want the customer to have to deal with.
Taking these negatives into consideration we feel the rubber blade type weather strip that we currently include is the best overall option for our customers.
At this time there has been no change to the weather strip being used in the SHO intake system and there are no plans to. If you are wanting to modify your system we can offer you either the taller blade type strip for or the loop “D” type for cost plus shipping. Please note that if you choose the loop style you will have to obtain the foam elsewhere as we do not have any to offer you.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Thank you,
FROM AIRAID.
Over the years we have looked at several different weather strip options and thru extensive testing we found the blade type weather strip to be the most effective and durable for everyday use.
There has been some recent talk on the forums where customers are modifying the weather strip on the Airaid intake system for their racing applications. One if the modifications has a customer are gluing a piece of foam to the top of a loop type weather strip where the other installing a taller piece of the blade weather strip. While both of these modifications may have shown some different results for customers at the track there are several other variables that also have to be taken into consideration that may have been the cause of these. Another thing to think of are the disadvantages that can come with these modifications.
Due to the harsh under hood environment of a vehicle we found thru testing that a foam type weather strip deteriorates much quicker therefore becoming less effective and requires replacement. This is not something that we want a customer to have to do on a regular basis.
The taller blade type weather strip on the other hand can cause a fit issue potentially interfering with the hood closing properly and/or premature wear to or actually cutting thru the under hood pad. Again, not something we want the customer to have to deal with.
Taking these negatives into consideration we feel the rubber blade type weather strip that we currently include is the best overall option for our customers.
At this time there has been no change to the weather strip being used in the SHO intake system and there are no plans to. If you are wanting to modify your system we can offer you either the taller blade type strip for or the loop “D” type for cost plus shipping. Please note that if you choose the loop style you will have to obtain the foam elsewhere as we do not have any to offer you.
Let me know if you have any additional questions.
Thank you,
Other variables? What are these guys talking about? Same 60's, same night, same track, same freaking lane. The fact is that they no longer want to put out of pocket for the taller strip or D style. There is no question that the foam will not last as long as the rubber. Pretty much everyone that ran the Airaid before the mod said it was slower than the stock box. So I guess if you have one you can make it work, if you are looking for a CAI than hopefully someone will come out with one that actually works out of the box. Because the kit that I got the blade weatherstripping hardly touched the hood. And any moron knows that cooler air means more power. If I step on the gas and my IAT goes freaking up then that defeats the purpose of the intake. I should just put the K&N back in because at least is sounded better.
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peppelepugh
New member
I was just told the same thing. Pretty SH!tty if you ask me, I bought my CAI for INCREASE in performance.... not a decrease..... Now after spending how much, i need to spend more of my money to make their product work. Sure makes sense to me...
leecox said:
There are other variables at work (as per Airaid lol). But seriously, the first test I did at the track was done without the "insulation" and just the better seal. I assume that flow restriction and it's ability to keep IATs lower that the stock box.
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peppelepugh
New member
Part of me wants to wrap the airaid air box, seal off the top, and then put in my own Ram air tube. Hmmmmm, sounds fun now i think of it!
leecox
New member
Hmm...The snorkel and total air path is longer on the stock box, but otherwise I don't see much difference. Looking at your numbers, the stock box does an admirable job without the insulation and is sealed. Makes me think that wrapping the outside of the thing could deliver the same or very similar results. I don't have an AirRaid to compare, nor a tune. Yet.
I just insulated my box and installed it. My intake temps at idle are roughly 10 degrees F higher than ambient. When driving they drop to just about ambient. While sitting at a red light the temps will typically increase around 10 to 15 degrees F. My question.. here are the pics of the box as well as the contact surface my blade style stripping is having with the hood. The contact seems to be much better than most are reporting. This is the stripping that came with the CAI.
Given the contact that I'm getting, do you think I need to use the 'D' style stripping with the foam?
Given the contact that I'm getting, do you think I need to use the 'D' style stripping with the foam?
southtxSHO
New member
Too much reading lol , where do I get the insulation for CAI? Great job to those that have done it .