CAI versus Short Ram intakes

[Brian1649]

Ive read a lot about these two types of intakes on here, and almost every time CAI comes up someone mentions hydrolocking your engine, but doesnt seem too concerned with it. Looking at the prices of these two types of intakes, they arent very differently priced, but from the descriptions and basic physics i would think that the CAI gives you a bigger increase in performance. This being said, is it even worth the possible risk of hydrolocking? I also read somewhere about shields to prevent this? Thanks

[Brian1649]

would a bypass valve like this:

Universal 2 75" 70mm Cold Air Intake Bypass Valve Filter Blue 2 3 4 Turbo | eBay

be a good solution?

[garrisonboobs]

to be honest i never heard of anyone i knew who has a cai hydro lock the engine. i know people who stick the filter way out where you can see it under the car but don't care. youd need a lot of water so unless you ran through a huge puddle for a while then yea but if you live where rain isn't much problem and you can avoid big puddles then you'll be fine. if you really are that concerned do the short ram. either one isn't going to give you a huge amount of power but the cai technically will do more.

[Brian1649]

I've also read about the intakes bogging down in the cold due to, correct me if I'm wrong, the absence of a mafs ?

[Hella JDM]

I installed my CAI on my celica about 3 years ago and I have a bypass installed just incase. My CAI is located in front of my front tire and I haven't had any problems with it. I've driven through torrential downpours on the highway at 70mph and no water has gotten through my bypass valve. That being said the CAI was a pain to install becuase the engine compartment is so tight. I've driven my car in freezing temperatures and I haven't a bit of trouble. Hope this helps.

[Brian1649]

thanks for the imput hella. I think im just going to go with the short ram, as it is cheaper, seems easier for a relatively inexperience car guy to install, and wont have me worrying as much even if the chances are slim for hydro locking. I have been looking at a K&N, which ive heard are good. any hints on where to get one cheap?

[Snowfork]

Professionals have done research that proved that CAI and especially short ram intakes cause no increase in power and often cause a loss of a hp or two. The short ram intakes suck air out of the engine compartment that houses the 200 degree engine, which means you are pulling air that is twice as hot as the ambient air the stock box picks up.

The stock box is heat shielded while your cai is usually not and the intake can indeed suck up water.
Around where I live, the highway has sections where you can get stuck in a lane that collects deep puddles and you have no choice, but to drive through puddles that splash up past the mirrors.

[Snowfork]

From a DSM forum

Well, it dont take an idiot to hydro-lock your motor, i can tell you that for sure. Here is my whole story about my blown 97' n/t motor;
It had been raining all night, and it was about 5pm when i started my way home from the shop. If i had known it was going to rain like **** in the morning before i left to work, i would have not drove her to work, trust me, but i had to get my car home none the less in the rain fall. So, i avoided puddle after puddle with my crappy "super white xenon" lights(by the way, dont waste your money, buy a real HID kit like the KATZ one) when all of a sudden i see a massive puddle covering the whole road way. There was no where else to go in the "rush hour-gotta get home to feed the kids" traffic with a car in front, behind and on the right side and a extra tall median on my left.....what was a man to do? So i dumped it down real quick and slammed on the breaks and got her down to like 10mph as i drove into the puddle, praying that it wasnt deep. Ofcourse it was, she stalled out with a bang and hasnt started sience....moral of the story guys; if you are gonna buy a nice $200 cold-air intake, buy a nice $60 bypass valve to go with it...heck, it will save you your nice $1,500 engine!! Peace out guys

[mrlieu]

Cold air intakes give you higher end horsepower, short ram makes the power more usable in the low to mid range, so unless you are always racing and redlining you engine, I would go with a short ram. Although heat soak on a short ram is a problem, you can solve that with a heat shield, plus I do believe that short rams are usually cheaper than the cold air intake and are easier to install.

[Brian1649]

Thanks for the positive, and negative help. Snowfork I'm not looking to win any races here, I've got a gt and these cars really just look fast. Anyways, I think the short ram fits me, and seeing as I live in new Hampshire half the year it practically is a cai haha. Will look into the heat shield.