PSA Stop buying Chinese Hot air kits

[EJSS]

Originally Posted by Cheap Guy

That’s why I’m holding out for a GM Z28 CAI.

You wont regret it, I am very happy with mine.

[2013ZL1FUN]

Why is the factory intake air filter box ported for outside air and under hood air?

[Avenging Orange]

I usually don't respond to these type of threads because they usually solve nothing because there are so many variables and opinions....BUT.
Like many of us old farts who have been around a few years (57)..we have seen a lot of fads come and go.
We have tried many a ways to introduce more air/fresh air/cold air. We started flipping the breather lids for mostly the cool sound but for better flow as well. All the nifty air filter designs of the 50's/60's/70's basically involved pulling in hot air from the engine bay...with the exception of the true sealed ram air type systems......which IMO are still the best. Many of the modern factory airboxes flow pretty well...though like many designs, are made to keep things quiet and meet EPA standards. Do I think modern cai's are a fad, no....they help. Do I think automakers and aftermarket manufactures can do better, yes. Even some of these high dollar units look cheap and over priced.
I wish the automakers would go back a few decades and learn from some of their greater successes.

[Jrichards73]

I have more factory parts under the house than I have under the car so at this point its anecdotal. The car can't even run a factory axle for more than a mile (no longer has those...) so it could add or subtract 30 HP and I wouldn't notice it. Now if it was a magical traction aid or heck if it robs a little torque on launch some hot air might be helping.

It's about getting your money. Have you seen the cost of a kit for an S4 B9? Its twice what they want for the Camaro ones and they literally look identical to the factory design, just with an "improved" filter and some carbon fiber. The stock Audi airbox on mine will be staying until it is a restriction. $700 for a few barely measurable hp is stupid. But the sales guys are selling them so there you go.

If I learned anything with the Camaro is work with your tuner. Do high value adds, and leave the low hanging fruit for the end, when they become a restriction to your larger mods, if you even hit that point depending on your goals. A $450 intake for maybe 10hp is a 3rd of the cost of a cam package that will gain you upwards from 60rwhp with the smallest of cams. And that cam won't need an aftermarket air filter to do it. Most of those "budget" mods added more headaches and just cost me money with no measurable gain in the end. Heck, the ported throttle body is now off the car. So maybe that's what Jannetty is really saying in the end? Don't waste money on marketing junk, whether is $150 or $450.

[0stones0]

Originally Posted by Jrichards73

I've had the same one for years. You can see where the seal has worn away at the hood insulation. Its sealed, the only gaps it has is at the bottom, which is where the air is coming from anyways. The top is the important part. I'd suggest relocating the washer bottle and installing the air scoop except I have to self pressurize the remote washer bottle with an air hose before I leave the driveway if I expect it to work during my drive...

+1
Although, didn’t bother with relocating the washer bottle.

[MeanV8]

Originally Posted by Jrichards73

I have more factory parts under the house than I have under the car so at this point its anecdotal. The car can't even run a factory axle for more than a mile (no longer has those...) so it could add or subtract 30 HP and I wouldn't notice it. Now if it was a magical traction aid or heck if it robs a little torque on launch some hot air might be helping.

It's about getting your money. Have you seen the cost of a kit for an S4 B9? Its twice what they want for the Camaro ones and they literally look identical to the factory design, just with an "improved" filter and some carbon fiber. The stock Audi airbox on mine will be staying until it is a restriction. $700 for a few barely measurable hp is stupid. But the sales guys are selling them so there you go.

If I learned anything with the Camaro is work with your tuner. Do high value adds, and leave the low hanging fruit for the end, when they become a restriction to your larger mods, if you even hit that point depending on your goals. A $450 intake for maybe 10hp is a 3rd of the cost of a cam package that will gain you upwards from 60rwhp with the smallest of cams. And that cam won't need an aftermarket air filter to do it. Most of those "budget" mods added more headaches and just cost me money with no measurable gain in the end. Heck, the ported throttle body is now off the car. So maybe that's what Jannetty is really saying in the end? Don't waste money on marketing junk, whether is $150 or $450.

Amen!!!

Dan

[Black 6.2L SS]

My particular car has responded very well to removal of the factory plastic tube and box with all of its bends, steps and snorkels. I installed an authentic sealed CAI brand intake. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot of change....just that air is free so I might as well grab as much as I can right?
The change I noticed was immediate and obvious for what it is,.....more responsive throttle tip-in, stronger pull and different sound. I couldn’t imagine putting the factory stuff back in. I’d recommend removing the washer bottle to really open the area up. I’ve also opened up the lower fascia to feed more cold air in. Maybe cars with the “strong MAFs” respond better. I don’t know, but I believe every bit of the tested 18 hp gain from the CAI and scoop. My .02