Cold Air Intake woes...

[jjvincent]

I'm waiting for a company to make a cold air intake. In racing we make our own. We take the stock intake and wrap it with insulation (that gold stuff) and it brings down the intake air temp (at least according to the data the ECU gives us). All I can find are big air intakes not cold air.

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[Heimkehr]

I'm waiting for a company to make a cold air intake. In racing we make our own.

What intrigues me about the CAIs presently on offer is that they don't deviate from the design of the factory air intake.

If the aftermarket options draw air in through an airbox opening that is perpendicular to the length of the vehicle, and thus by definition identical to the OEM airbox, what new "cold air" is being introduced that would justify the expense of the aftermarket item? What additional benefit is being objectively provided?

I'm aware that some kits allow for additional air flow, which has its place, but as virtually all of them are being sold as cold air intakes, that's how they should be judged. This is also true for any brands or designs that claim a "ram air" effect: where's the plumbing that provides a forward-facing air intake?

Edit: Forgot to mention that I am aware of at least one CAI kit (Mopar?) that requires the hood to be cut to accommodate external air intake.

 

[jjvincent]

What intrigues me about the CAIs presently on offer is that they don't deviate from the design of the factory air intake.

If the aftermarket options draw air in through an airbox opening that is perpendicular to the length of the vehicle, and thus by definition identical to the OEM airbox, what new "cold air" is being introduced that would justify the expense of the aftermarket item? What additional benefit is being objectively provided?

I'm aware that some kits allow for additional air flow, which has its place, but as virtually all of them are being sold as cold air intakes, that's how they should be judged. This is also true for any brands or designs that claim a "ram air" effect: where's the plumbing that provides a forward-facing air intake?

Edit: Forgot to mention that I am aware of at least one CAI kit (Mopar?) that requires the hood to be cut to accommodate external air intake.

Some I have seen are even made of aluminum, which literally transfers more heat as compared to plastic. Thus are hot air intakes. I'd think if you wanted more air volume to get to the said intake for a Jeep, then it would need to be cowl induction. Just because if you have ever been to a wind tunnel, the cowl is a high pressure area and I would assume that for a Jeep, it's got to be really high as with the angle of the windscreen to the hood.

I'm guessing that CAI's (which have been around for many years) is a term to mean, bigger pipes to the intake. I do know that just buying the insulation from Jegs or Summit, makes a big difference, thus the reason why racers buy it and they sell it. Yet, I never see it applied for the off the shelf tuner market.

 

[TOTL Innovations]

@Heimkehr and @jjvincent hit the nail on the head. CAI is such a misnomer as most of these systems probably do more harm than good.

Although not strictly a CAI, our H.E.R.O. Hood does have true cold ram air functionality by funneling cool air from outside the engine bay directly to your factory airbox pre chamber.

 

[jjvincent]

@Heimkehr and @jjvincent hit the nail on the head. CAI is such a misnomer as most of these systems probably do more harm than good.

Although not strictly a CAI, our H.E.R.O. Hood does have true cold ram air functionality by funneling cool air from outside the engine bay directly to your factory airbox pre chamber.

When you look at the data, what is the difference between the intake air temp vs stock? I'd take a fully warmed up Jeep and then compare it vs various ambient temps. A good way to do this is use a data system like an AIM SOLO DL and run a thermocouple right in front of the intake to the turbo. Then another one after the intercooler HX. Just drive it and log the data.

 

[TOTL Innovations]

When you look at the data, what is the difference between the intake air temp vs stock? I'd take a fully warmed up Jeep and then compare it vs various ambient temps. A good way to do this is use a data system like an AIM SOLO DL and run a thermocouple right in front of the intake to the turbo. Then another one after the intercooler HX. Just drive it and log the data.

We bought a bunch of air temp sensors and an Airmouse from Banks along with a iDash to record everything. The plan is to run a Jeep on a stationary dyno in a controlled environment and gather data. Just havent had a chance to do so yet.

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