Losing Torque w/ CAI vs. K&N Filter

[UncleMike]

I would LOVE the sound you get with a CAI, but have no desire to lose any torque that might be shaved off by installing a CAI. I see them all the time on eBay, and I wonder at the quality at the prices they're going for anyway:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=grand+am+k%26N+cold+air

What would be the relative gains/losses from just a K&N filter replacement?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/K-N-33-2121-1-97-03-04-05-ALERO-CUTLASS-MALIBU-GRAND-AM_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33659QQihZ019QQitemZ 8022331236QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V


Thanks
~Mike

[nice96gt]

You don't lose THAT much torque...It's not like you slap a CAI on and then it pulls like a civic...:P

[rys99grandam]

I have one of the cheaper CAI intakes and I noticed a very noticeable difference, plus the sound, I also noticed that it did not rob that much from me, it was nothing I noticed, I notice the roar and the sudden surge of power after 2k , its nice.

I have this one: ( I ordered the one with the piping where the rubber one is but caused to much tension on hte MAF so I replaced it with the stock piece.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-00-01-02-04-GRAND-AM-Alero-V6-COLD-AIR-INTAKE-K-N-F_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQihZ013QQitemZ2 30037363435QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Patchez]

The introduction of a CAI will move the torque range a bit but it will increase it, not drop it. HP will raise slightly as well(About 2 to the wheels) What this will do is help your quarter time quite a bit!! I droped 2 tenths with the addition of a CAI

[04alyGT]

i agree with patchez
intake=much better
i had a k&n drop in filter before i got the new intake, and i assure you its much better now than before

[bballr4567]

I got the CAI from Dr Speed and I noticed a difference in tourqe and HP. Its not huge but you can tell. Plus the sound difference is amazing. Not to mention that I get almost 10% better fuel mileage now!!!!

[charlybrown]

if the CAI is not installed properly, or has a cheapo restrictive cotton filter, it will robb you both of acceleration power, and top end power.

install it properly, and get a K&N filter ONLY!- you might feel the gain, you will defenately hear it.

[04alyGT]

oh yea that too
get a k&N cone

[UncleMike]

Wonderful. Thanks guys.

Are any of those that I linked to worth it, or too cheap?

[99blackSE]

If you are looking for a quality intake check out MP Racing or Milzy.

[Houndawg]

Originally posted by charlybrown
if the CAI is not installed properly, or has a cheapo restrictive cotton filter, it will robb you both of acceleration power, and top end power.

install it properly, and get a K&N filter ONLY!- you might feel the gain, you will defenately hear it.


How can you install it improperly? I thought it was a no brainer when I put mine in.

[Patchez]

Make sure there are no leaks!!

[sleeper_se]

ive had a cai that i custom made with autozone power adder parts and loved it good torque good throttle response and ive had a k&n drop in filter and didnt really like it because i didnt have asmuch throttle response or torque there was a lil sound change but not much id go with the cai u dont lose any torque u actually gain id say 5 ft/lbs and 5-10 hp

[coupe]

Originally posted by charlybrown
if the CAI is not installed properly, or has a cheapo restrictive cotton filter, it will robb you both of acceleration power, and top end power.

install it properly, and get a K&N filter ONLY!- you might feel the gain, you will defenately hear it.



Originally posted by Houndawg
How can you install it improperly? I thought it was a no brainer when I put mine in.


Exactly

[charlybrown]

Originally posted by coupe
Exactly

dude if you have to ask about a certain intake, or yet, go out of ur way to pay 100$ for an intake(without any further modding even or on an out of tune car)... in MY OPINION, you have a chance of ffawcking it up- cus well ur pretty much new to modding or cars for that matter- dont roll ur eyes its the truth.

its just as easy as puttin PS fluid into ur brake resevoir.:P

[coupe]

Originally posted by charlybrown
dude if you have to ask about a certain intake, or yet, go out of ur way to pay 100$ for an intake(without any further modding even or on an out of tune car)... in MY OPINION, you have a chance of ffawcking it up- cus well ur pretty much new to modding or cars for that matter- dont roll ur eyes its the truth.


What?
Im new at modding?
OK mr. ijustjoinedthismonth.

I dont see how its possible to mess this up.
Of course its your opinion, who's elses would it be?


Originally posted by charlybrown
its just as easy as puttin PS fluid into ur brake resevoir.:P

I dont know if thats directed towards me or not but ive never done that on any car ive ever owned. I have a habbit of reading the bottle.

[charlybrown]

you mis understood, i did not say you are new to modding..

i said anyone who is asking about purchasing an intake, is new to mods.

and the comment about PS fluid, is meant that even the easiest thing can be messed up, if you are not careful.

yes i am new to the forum- i need info on my 2.2L (dont have manual or books for it yet)

sorry for the highjack- trying to justify that someone somewhere has messed up an intake somehow.