Cheap CAI?

[GMFWDFAN]

Is this too good to be true? The guy's feedback is good and the pics are good, but it just seems to....cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GRAND-AM-SE-GT-ALERO-3-4L-COLD-AIR-INTAKE-1999-2005-2PC_W0QQitemZ150139758321QQihZ005QQcategoryZ36474Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

If it is good then you better believe I'm buying it!

[Old Guy]

The intake will work and he's advertising it correctly, but personally I wouldn't buy it since it doesn't use the tubing between the throttle body and the MAF. If you notice from the picture the rubber accordian type connector is still there.

[GMFWDFAN]

So it wouldn't offer the same benefit as an intake that did, correct?

[Jchiasson]

To get the full benefit you would want to get rid of the "accordian" as the Old Guy said.
But you should still see some gains with what hes selling.

[Deggy Fresh]

c'mon is there honestly really a difference between the doctor speed 3 peice cai and the chrome intakes 2 peice...so what if the accordian tube is still there...you are still getting colder air from the outside of the engine bay...what are we looking at 1-2hp difference between the two? or are we really gonna sit here and split hairs.

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by deggy2fresh4you
what are we looking at 1-2hp difference between the two? or are we really gonna sit here and split hairs.

Well you're probably only looking at a 5 HP total gain from a CAI anyway so you're not really splitting hairs. 2 HP difference is close to 50%.

But.....the difference between the two is basically esthetic. It just looks better is the whole CAI is chrome. The other problem I see is that the Air Filter is cheap. I replace it with a K&N either up front or down the road when that one gets dirty. (which isn't very long when it's in the fender well)

[cardude007617]

i guess if you're not looking to spend much, go for the chromeintakes one. or if u feel good one day, look at the "good" ones from either MP Racing or Dr speed.

[damobster54]

Just what is wrong with the Chromeintake 3 piece with K&N filter?

[Shadow-D]

Dude the total price is $47 I think the shipping may be too much.
I'm not sure what the cost of a CAI is so I may be off the mark here.

[cardude007617]

there is a reason the others cost more....and you get what u pay for.
thats all ill say

[98GA1488]

I still dont see whats wrong with a Civic CAI...

or is that just to "Old School?"

[pontiac3100]

hey i have that set-up.
well i did'nt get that, i went "custom" (as i made it myself)
the accordian tube eh i don't see what i difference it'll make why because:

95+ has a iat and maf.
with that set-up the pcm will "see" maore air coming in.
and if you move the iat the pcm will "feel" cooler air.

94 3100 only have the iat some comes with a maf too.
on my set-up when it was cool under the hood, or at night man she had some get compared to when it got hot under there.

so i hooked up the scanner and seen the iat temp...when it gets up to 110*F or more it retards the timing and possibly a few other things.

and once the pcm "felt" the cooler air coming in thats when the car's "power" came back.

i moved it near the air filter which is better now.

[GMFWDFAN]

Well the intake came today. Everything looks good, except for one thing. It said it would come with directions on how to install it, and it didn't. :( Now I have no clue where to get started installing this thing.

[pontiacguy20025]

you get what you pay for. i wouldnt buy it. As for instructions, try to go to view pictures that has the intake on. Thats probably the closest you will get. Go to the ebay sellers page. I saw a couple of pics on there.

[GMFWDFAN]

I have already bought it, and it's going to get installed. As soon as I figure out how....:P

[TA^Guy]

Is it worth it? You decide. $5 cheap APC air filter, $5 worth of tubing, $5 of cut silicone tubing and a handfull of large hose clamps. Yeah it's not a bad deal. I might switch out the cheap filter for a K&N, AirHog, Green or other name brand filter. I would also purchase another coupler and 6"s of aluminum tubing to conntect the MAF to the throttle body.
Originally posted by deggy2fresh4you
c'mon is there honestly really a difference between the doctor speed 3 peice cai and the chrome intakes 2 peice...so what if the accordian tube is still there...you are still getting colder air from the outside of the engine bay...what are we looking at 1-2hp difference between the two? or are we really gonna sit here and split hairs.
You are correct, it still gets cool air, however the stock GT Ram Air gets cool air also. Removing restrictive tubing is the main source of hp gains, especially in the 3400 engine bays.

Yes, it removes the narrow plastic tubing and stock paper panel filter and replaces it with a cone filter and aluminum tubing. However the accordian tubing causes turbulance. Great for dampening engine vibration to things like the MAF and IAT sensors, but offer lamanate high velocity air flow it does not.

Yes I will also agree it may only benifit 1 or 2 hp, however when you gain from bolting in a CAI is only 5-7hp if your lucky, you're talking about a 20-35% difference in gains.

[cardude007617]

but ya, spend 30-40 bucks on a k&n or S&B filter. your wallet with thank you later on when ur not crying about your car being waterlocked due to a cheapo generic ebay air filter.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by cardude007617
but ya, spend 30-40 bucks on a k&n or S&B filter. your wallet with thank you later on when ur not crying about your car being waterlocked due to a cheapo generic ebay air filter.
Water will pass through a K&N or other brand of gause type filters just as fast as a cheep brand.

Either way, even with the filter in the fender it's still not subjectd to a great deal of soaking.

[HornetGT141]

I may be wrong but I believe there is a thing out right now called a "HydroShield" that can go over your filter to allow air but not water to pass through it. If you care a lot about the potential of water getting into it....let me find the link.

Injen Hydro Shield (http://www.autoanything.com/air-filters/65A2582A0A0.aspx) :P

[nubraskan]

Originally posted by TA^Guy
Yes I will also agree it may only benifit 1 or 2 hp, however when you gain from bolting in a CAI is only 5-7hp if your lucky, you're talking about a 20-35% difference in gains. [/B]

Ricer math

It's just a CAI. You'd have to try pretty hard to screw this one up. The accordian piece isn't a big deal. Save the couple extra bucks and get a pcm.

[TA^Guy]

Originally posted by nubraskan
Ricer math

It's just a CAI. You'd have to try pretty hard to screw this one up. The accordian piece isn't a big deal. Save the couple extra bucks and get a pcm.
How is it ricer math? If it were ricer math I'd claim 20hp for a CAI. :) I understand you are new and most likely completely unaware of my experiences with the internal combustion engine so I will do my best to take it easy on ya. :D

Actually the accordian part of the air ducting from the filter to the throttle body is one of the areas that effect the flow, that and the narrow plastic stock tubing. That is why a CAI offers incressed power because of the smooth inside of the tubing can flow more air faster, join that with less restricted bends and you're good for a few extra ponies.

Do some research about lamanate vs turbulant air flow and how it effects velocity. The more velocity, the easier the cylinders fill, and the better volumeteric effeciency which results in more power.

If you're going to come to a gun fight with me you had better bring more than a water pistol.

[cardude007617]

OWNED! haha
he doesnt even have a grand am.