Cold Air Intake hogwash

[LSJKU]

I run a Corsa Air Intake (with Donaldson Powercore Dry Filter for 99.99% filtration efficiency), Corsa Sport Axle-Back Exhaust, and Brad's BMP Calibrations Tune. I put everything on at once so can't say how the components perform separately but as a package they ROCK!

I recommend Brad's tune and the Corsa axle-back exhaust without reservation. However I have reservations about the Corsa intake. See pics. Unlike the stock airbox, the Corsa leaves a one inch gap between itself and the fender wall, and the air intake openings are down in the engine compartment where they can potentially take in hotter air and more dirt & water.

Do you think I should return the Corsa intake to stock, or put insulation between the intake and the engine compartment?

I'm leaving my stock air intake and wrapping like WillysMeow suggests. I removed the stock exhaust and replaced with an MBRP straight-thru pipe. Also waiting on my unlocked ECU from HPTuners so I can flash Brad's tune. I'll let you know how it all works out, but I have high expectations for the tune based on what everyone else has said.

DEI makes the insulated tape and it can be bought at most autoparts stores.

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[Dave M]

...I have reservations about the Corsa intake. See pics. Unlike the stock airbox, the Corsa leaves a one inch gap between itself and the fender wall, and the air intake openings are down in the engine compartment where they can potentially take in hotter air and more dirt & water.

Do you think I should return the Corsa intake to stock, or put insulation between the intake and the engine compartment?

Still debating stock intake vs. Corsa.

Does anyone KNOW what the stock intake resonators are for? I presume they attenuate intake noise, but do they also perhaps shape the intake charge into the throttle body for better flow or performance? IOW, are they just for noise abatement, or do they serve a performance benefit?

I'm debating leaving & wrapping my Corsa intake, vs. replacing & wrapping my stock intake. The Corsa is a simple tube w/o resonators, while the stock has three complex resonator type chambers.

To somewhat confuse the issue, Mopar sells a Cold Air Intake WITHOUT resonators, while Mishimoto sells a Performance Air Intake WITH resonators, which raises the question whether resonators really matter for performance.

Probably just way overthinking this, but does anyone KNOW if intake resonators serve any performance benefit, or are they just there to reduce sound?

Thanks! Dave
(Jeep still a work in progress but getting there)

 

[CorvZ061]

Does anyone KNOW what the stock intake resonators are for? I presume they attenuate intake noise, but do they also perhaps shape the intake charge into the throttle body for better flow or performance? IOW, are they just for noise abatement, or do they serve a performance benefit?

I'm debating leaving & wrapping my Corsa intake, vs. replacing & wrapping my stock intake. The Corsa is a simple tube w/o resonators, while the stock has three complex resonator type chambers.

To somewhat confuse the issue, Mopar sells a Cold Air Intake w/o resonators, while Mishimoto sells a Performance Air Intake with resonators, which raises the question whether resonators really matter for performance.

Probably just way overthinking this, but does anyone KNOW if intake resonators serve any performance benefit, or are they just there to reduce sound?

Thanks! Dave
(Jeep still a work in progress but getting there)

The resonators just quiet the intake noise. Having a Corsa I’m sure you know all about the resonance sound above 3500 rpm. Mine gets loud, but I like it.

 

[Dave M]

The resonators just quiet the intake noise. Having a Corsa I’m sure you know all about the resonance sound above 3500 rpm. Mine gets loud, but I like it.

This is what I tend to believe. The sound of the 93 tune + intake + exhaust is kinda glorious!

 

[Dave M]

So this GO-PARTS writeup states the following:

"The engine air intake resonator, which is part of the main air cleaner assembly on your Jeep, serves a dual purpose. Its most obvious job is to act as a muffler for the intake system, reducing the loud induction roar from the engine to create a quieter cabin experience. More importantly from a performance standpoint, it functions as a Helmholtz resonator. This specially designed chamber cancels out specific air pressure pulses and harmonic waves within the intake tract. By smoothing out the airflow before it reaches the throttle body, the resonator helps the engine breathe more efficiently, maintaining power and torque across the RPM range."

True? I dunno, maybe. I read it on the innernet so . . . . . .

 

[Midwestjeepguy]

So are we ditching 0w-20 oil or what?!?

 

[Dave M]

So are we ditching 0w-20 oil or what?!?

Well, since the thread title IS "Cold Air Intake Hogwash" and I have questions about cold air intakes . . .

 

[Midwestjeepguy]

Well, since the thread title IS "Cold Air Intake Hogwash" and I have questions about cold air intakes . . .

It was said in jest referring to these threads that can quickly turn into debates. Oil, CAIs, 3.6 vs 2.0, etc. Just having fun - nothing aimed at you. You do you, it’s your Jeep and your money. Who cares what anyone else thinks.

I’ve ran CAIs on other vehicles knowing that gains would be minimal or nothing at all. Just wanted better sound on a V8. Some would say that’s a waste of money but I would reiterate that it’s a waste of *their* money.

With my 3.6 I know there will never be anything that makes me satisfied with the sound since I’ve owned many V8s. It’s actually freeing since I won’t be dumping crazy money into a CAI, headers, exhaust, tune, etc. I did put in a high tuck exhaust from Borla but that was only for clearance purposes. Went with their quietest setup.

Happy trails.

 

[Dave M]

Trying to eek out incremental hp gains (or prevent losses) with a CAI is something of a fool's errand.

So I hit the auto store for some DEI cool tape and the home store for a roll of insulation.

 

[CorvZ061]

Trying to eek out incremental hp gains (or prevent losses) with a CAI is something of a fool's errand.

So I hit the auto store for some DEI cool tape and the home store for a roll of insulation.

But getting a Donaldson Powercore filter IS a major improvement over the stock filter element, if that’s something you care about and the intake you’re looking at has one.

 

[Dave M]

But getting a Donaldson Powercore filter IS a major improvement over the stock filter element, if that’s something you care about and the intake you’re looking at has one.

Indeed, I'm currently running the Corsa Closed Box Air Intake with the Donaldson PowerCore filter.

I will probably leave this in place as I like it, wrap it with DEI Cool Tape, and separate it from the engine compartment with Lowes Reflectix insulation.

Even my Jeep Buddy thinks I'm a little over the top on this one. He suggested packing it with dry ice but I think he was joking.

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