Sealing Airaid Intake (Take 2) Comparison Modded K&N vs Stock VS Modded Airaid

[SHOdded]

Heck I am think of stripping the interior to set and new low for myself. Lol!

About time!  We call it "Pulling a Zach" over on shoforum

 

[ShoBoat]

Nice Crash! A few more of these and maybe we can get a royalty from Airaid lol. I'm glad it's working for you too. 

 

[ecoboostsho]

Was out testing my Airaid cover yesterday and am seeing great results as well!  I sealed off the front of my lid as there was still a small gap there.  I also did some testing with my second air source to the box and I have to say it seems to stay/get cooler faster with the secondary air source capped off.  I had cut a 3" hole with a PVC connection out to flexible insulated duct and fed it in to the fender area.  I was thinking more air would be beneficial but honestly the temps seem steadier with that capped off and just getting the air from the front opening where both the stock and Airaid get it from.  So unless you need the extra air or have a better way of getting cooler air in to the box I would just stick with that.  I noticed no difference in performance with the secondary air source capped off.

 

[ShoBoat]

Was out testing my Airaid cover yesterday and am seeing great results as well!  I sealed off the front of my lid as there was still a small gap there.  I also did some testing with my second air source to the box and I have to say it seems to stay/get cooler faster with the secondary air source capped off.  I had cut a 3" hole with a PVC connection out to flexible insulated duct and fed it in to the fender area.  I was thinking more air would be beneficial but honestly the temps seem steadier with that capped off and just getting the air from the front opening where both the stock and Airaid get it from.  So unless you need the extra air or have a better way of getting cooler air in to the box I would just stick with that.  I noticed no difference in performance with the secondary air source capped off.

Thanks for the report! I was thinking of adding the secondary air source too. This just confirms that we don't really need it. You should give the cool box a try. It really helps keep the temps down at both slower stop and go and high speed runs.

On a side note I did get the taller weatherstrip from Airaid today. I am doubtful that it will work as well as my design. But I will give it a try and report back.

 

[ecoboostsho]

Was out testing my Airaid cover yesterday and am seeing great results as well!  I sealed off the front of my lid as there was still a small gap there.  I also did some testing with my second air source to the box and I have to say it seems to stay/get cooler faster with the secondary air source capped off.  I had cut a 3" hole with a PVC connection out to flexible insulated duct and fed it in to the fender area.  I was thinking more air would be beneficial but honestly the temps seem steadier with that capped off and just getting the air from the front opening where both the stock and Airaid get it from.  So unless you need the extra air or have a better way of getting cooler air in to the box I would just stick with that.  I noticed no difference in performance with the secondary air source capped off.

Thanks for the report! I was thinking of adding the secondary air source too. This just confirms that we don't really need it. You should give the cool box a try. It really helps keep the temps down at both slower stop and go and high speed runs.

On a side note I did get the taller weatherstrip from Airaid today. I am doubtful that it will work as well as my design. But I will give it a try and report back.

That is next up on the list!  You used the Reflectix from Home Depot correct?  I went to the local store yesterday and the only thing they had was thermoking which would probably work but in the past I've used it and the adhesive doesn't seem to stick all that well.  I assume yours is holding up without issue?  I may try and grab some off the Internet and go from there.

 

[ecoboostsho]

Nevermind...I think I was looking in the wrong section.  So did the stuff you use have any adhesive?  What prevents it from getting sucked in to the filter or is it just rigid enough that that can't happen?  I do have aluminum tape already...

 

[ShoBoat]

Nevermind...I think I was looking in the wrong section.  So did the stuff you use have any adhesive?  What prevents it from getting sucked in to the filter or is it just rigid enough that that can't happen?  I do have aluminum tape already...

the reflectix seems rigid enough. You will need to clean the areas near the edges where you tape directly to the CAI. Which is only at the front of the box and the top where I folded the tape around the top lip and then placed the rubber weatherstripping on that. Some Sensor clean or IPA will work for that. If you cut the material to form the panels it seems to hold it's shape really well.

 

[SHOnUup]

Looking into the air induction I see this lip that looks like it would hurt air flow and flat out push some around box instead of in it. Do you guys have this also, and would it really hurt performance?

 

[crash712us]

It may not be a issue at all. I'm not a fluid dynamics engineer. But the smooth path doesn't necessarily mean the best flow.

No adhesive used on my insulation job. Just foil tape, cut the insulation in 2 main sections 1 being the bottom of the going up the left side wall. 2 the wall where the filter mounts wrapping remaining 2 sides.

Also it just occurred to me with all the rain we got there is no drainage holes in the floor of my insulation. Don't forget to put these in fellas. A hydro locked motor is not pretty.

 

[crash712us]

Drain exposed.

 

[ShoBoat]

Drain exposed.

That looks fantastic! what material did you use? Ya I forgot to mention that in the How to I just cut a circular hole in the bottom similar to yours.

 

[jmr061]

Has anybody emailed this thread to airaid?

I was thinking the same thing.  The product doesn't work as it should.  The company should design and provide free of charge a fix to better seal the unit. I pulled mine out as have many others because it doesn't work as it should.

 

[crash712us]

Drain exposed.

That looks fantastic! what material did you use? Ya I forgot to mention that in the How to I just cut a circular hole in the bottom similar to yours.

Not sure what the material is called your description made it sound very similar. It 1/4" thick foam with foil on both sides. A friend was given a huge roll of it and he had no use for it so I used as insulation for my hunting blind.

 

[kinder]

I was thinking the same thing.  The product doesn't work as it should.  The company should design and provide free of charge a fix to better seal the unit. I pulled mine out as have many others because it doesn't work as it should.

It does work as intended.... for track use. Not strip or street but track. In motion it performs fine hence the fan driven dyno numbers.

But most of us don't track our cars. We street them and some take them to the strip. All these mods are to find a way to get the best of both worlds in one package.

 

[jmr061]

I was thinking the same thing.  The product doesn't work as it should.  The company should design and provide free of charge a fix to better seal the unit. I pulled mine out as have many others because it doesn't work as it should.

It does work as intended.... for track use. Not strip or street but track. In motion it performs fine hence the fan driven dyno numbers.

But most of us don't track our cars. We street them and some take them to the strip. All these mods are to find a way to get the best of both worlds in one package.

With that reasoning they wouldn't provide any weatherstripping at all since a seal wouldn't be desired. I'm calling them out.

 

[SHOnUup]

At cruising speeds you can still see a spike in IAT1 temps when going wot...that's the key I think

 

[jmr061]

I just looked at their site "cold air: the secret weapon". Hmmmm I guess not sealing it from hot engine air must be part of the cold air formula.

 

[ShoBoat]

Drain exposed.

That looks fantastic! what material did you use? Ya I forgot to mention that in the How to I just cut a circular hole in the bottom similar to yours.

Not sure what the material is called your description made it sound very similar. It 1/4" thick foam with foil on both sides. A friend was given a huge roll of it and he had no use for it so I used as insulation for my hunting blind.

Thanks, it looks interesting. Similar to what I used.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I was thinking the same thing.  The product doesn't work as it should.  The company should design and provide free of charge a fix to better seal the unit. I pulled mine out as have many others because it doesn't work as it should.

It does work as intended.... for track use. Not strip or street but track. In motion it performs fine hence the fan driven dyno numbers.

But most of us don't track our cars. We street them and some take them to the strip. All these mods are to find a way to get the best of both worlds in one package.

With that reasoning they wouldn't provide any weatherstripping at all since a seal wouldn't be desired. I'm calling them out.

Lol, I'm calling them out too. I guarantee that thing heatsoaks beyond recovery after anything more than a couple runs. The reality is its probably costing power in most scenarios. If anybody has datalogs showing otherwise, post em up and i will pull my steak off the grill and throw on some crow. Not only that, they will be the only option on record that that actually works. it is in their best interests to do the right thing. I will back up my words with cash in the form of an order for the improved unit, what say you Airaid?

 

[TimmyATL]

Hello all. first post here.  I would like to say that this great on how those of you that are forward thinking and coming up with solutions. But I have a few questions. 1. Are you guys calling or emailing Airaid for a different seal. If not where are you getting the rubber seal from. 2. Why is the insulation on the inside of the box. Why not put it on the outside of the box or for that much both sides? Thanks for all your time and efforts in this fun passion of ours guys.