AF Dynamic CAI

[Mr. Stacy]

I was looking around for a good CAI after the Volant I bought failed on install. Not sure what the deal was but after an hour of trying to install the Volant, I gave up on trying to get it to fit. It was the correct part, I checked, but maybe miss marked or warped. It went back.

Was about to pop for a K&N Typhoon, when I came across this AF Dynamic unit on Ebay. It looked good in the description, and half the price of the K&N but usually, you get what you pay for. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised.

Shipping was fast, but I'm in WA and it came from CA, so usually just a couple days. Came nicely boxed and well protected.

Step by step instructions with photographs. Some of the steps did not pertain to my particular unit, but didn't trip me up. It's pretty much self explanatory anyway. The blow up of all the parts helped get everything in the right place.



The heat shield was nice powder coated metal, with a 1/8" thick foil lined black foam insulation. The edging was rubber tubing secured along the edges with hidden metal clips. I was extremely satisfied with the overall construction.



The tube itself was the best part. Aluminum construction and powder coated inside and out. Nice finish and very strong. I was happy with it as I know bare aluminum transfers heat extremely well.

Sorry for the crappy picture.



The elbow and couplings are made form 4 or 5 ply reinforced silicone. Way better than the rubber I've seen on other low priced units.



Here is the shield placed for fitting. No issues whatsoever. It fit perfect. I thought it might have too much flex initially, but after hooking up the couplings and tubes it was very stable.



Installation complete. Extremely easy project. I am quite happy with my purchase.



One small issue is that the engine cover contacts the tube when installed. You can trim the cover, or just leave it as I did.

I found mine on Ebay for $159 which was exactly half the price of the K&N Typhoon for my car. I know that a lot of you guys don't skimp on stuff, but I couldn't see paying double for a Chinese intake with less features than this quality AF Dynamic unit.

JMHO.

Re-attached the battery and went for a drive. No issues, car sounds great and I'm a happy camper. After a half hour of lets say "spirited" driving (WOT) out on the back roads, I popped the hood. The tube was surprisingly cool to the touch. I mean cool, and not warm at all. I could feel a very small amount of heat soak from the radiator to that particular spot inside the box (towards the front by the wiper fluid fill neck).

Jury's out on performance, I'll have to drive it for a few days and give you an update.

[Mr. Stacy]

I added the CAI soon after the exhaust so I only had one day of comparison. At first I was not too pleased with the sound of the MRT V2 axle back by itself. When I added the CAI, everything smoothed out. The sound is way more aggressive at WOT, yet sounds smoother at normal throttle. I think it's a great combo. Acceleration? Really hard to tell much of a difference. With the addition of these two components, my MPG has gone up by about 1.5 MPG. Doesn't sound like much, but it's an extra 28.5 miles of range on a tank, so I'm happy about that.

My conclusion is it's a great value for a quality CAI. I still see them on Ebay for $159, but even at their usual retail of $199, still a bargain.

I will be adding an Injen Hydro-Shield Pre-Filter which may or may not effect the performance overall.

http://www.amazon.com/Injen-Technolo...en+hydroshield

Just have to verify measurements of the filter itself.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, it appears that my vehicle is one of the few that throw codes with a CAI installed. I have seen many reports of vehicles (not just Camaros) with this issue. I have read reports of the same codes being pulled from all diferent makes and models of cars and different makes and models of CAI's as well.

The majority of reports I have read concern K&N CAIs. Possibly because they are extremely popular and widely available. O'Riley's doesn't sell Roto-Fab for example. That being said, I think the AF Dynamic, while quite similar to the K&N, improves on the design in many ways, with the exception being the cone filter itself. The K&N being a bit more substantial IMHO. Possibly due to the fact the AF Dynamic is a dry filter. I don't really know. But the AFD's insulated, powder coated, sheet metal box, powder coated aluminum tube (inside and out) and dry filter are all significant upgrades.

I had to uninstall the AFD unit, and it kind of sucked. It's a really nice piece of hardware, and looks and sounds amazing. But I'm not comfortable with the CEL. My car has lost quite a bit of "spark" without it and I will miss the 30+ MPG I was getting on the freeway with it. The sound is much tamer as well.

I will be forgoing a CAI for now. I installed a K&N high flow filter in my OEM box, and that will have to do... I don't want to throw down three or four Benjis just to have ECM issues.

Best Regards,
Stacy

[Apex Motorsports]

What do you mean the Volant failed?

[The Patriot]

Originally Posted by Apex Motorsports

What do you mean the Volant failed?

He provides an explanation, it did not fit.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by The Patriot

He provides an explanation, it did not fit.

Don't know how I missed that.

[Spec]

I'm not entirely trusting that rubber elbow bend... this could happen. Hope not...

[BlueN20Camaro]

Vendors sell these things at 400-600$ now a days. Finally good to see a quality part for a great price. Might just grab one at that price.

[stock block]

Originally Posted by Spec

I'm not entirely trusting that rubber elbow bend... this could happen. Hope not...

That's elbow is one layer cheap rubber, the AF dynamic uses 4 ply nylon and silicone elbow (turbo quality )

[stock block]

Personally I don't think the AFD intake is cheap ,more like the proper price range for a intake should be

[JLSuperfly]

Is it a dry filter?

[Mr. Stacy]

Originally Posted by Spec

I'm not entirely trusting that rubber elbow bend... this could happen. Hope not...

That video is used to dis every low priced intake on the market. What you don't see is them plugging the tube off screen to the right. While I agree, there are much better options than rubber, the video is stagged.

Members here are using that exact CAI (Spectre) with no issues. Google it if you don't believe me.

Also, the AF Dynamic is not rubber. It's 4 or 5 ply reinforced silicone.

Let's look at the $300+ K&N. What do you see?



This AF Dynamic unit is an upgrade to the K&N Typhoon (a well respected Chinese made brand) in just about every respect, yet sells for about half. The retail for most of their units is about $199, but I have found a few sources for about $160.

JMHO as always.

[Mr. Stacy]

Originally Posted by JLSuperfly

Is it a dry filter?

Yes, it's a "dry" filter. No oil to muck up the MAF...

[Spec]

Originally Posted by Mr. Stacy

That video is used to dis every low priced intake on the market. What you don't see is them plugging the tube off screen to the right. While I agree, there are much better options than rubber, the video is staged.

Members here are using that exact CAI (Spectre) with no issues. Google it if you don't believe me.

Also, the AF Dynamic is not rubber. It's reinforced 4 or 5 ply reinforced silicone.

Let's look at the $300+ K&N. What do you see?



This AF Dynamic unit is an upgrade to the K&N Typhoon (a well respected Chinese made brand) in just about every respect, yet sells for about half. The retail for most of their units is about $199, but I have found a few sources for about $160.

JMHO as always.

Thought I should mention it to make sure...

Let's look at the $300+ K&N. What do you see?

Nothing but steel... it depends on which one you get;

[Mr. Stacy]

The website leaves a bit to be desired, but here is a link to the features and specs of the unit for the 2010 - 2014 SS.

http://afdynamic-usa.com/product/1014-cc-hs/