Im planning to get CAI int omy 05 neon SE as my first mod, so I did some reasearch about it. I found that few places warn that, since CAI is so close to the ground, it can suck up moisture into the engine which will damage it. This would definatelly be a con to getting the intake. But then again, since so many people put CAI into their cars, it cant be a big problem.

Is it a big problem and is there a way to prevent it? Is it wise to remove it during fall/winter seasons?

 

In order for your intake to suck up a siginficant amount of water you would have to submerge it in water. If you read most places will tell you that rain and moisture on the road is not enough especially when the car is moving. You can by an aem bypass valve but i have a cai and have had no probs.

 

I have an aem bypass valve for sale, i never got around to install it, i open the box but its never been used so you could say its new.

 

There is a minimal risk of getting water in your engine, and if you buy a K&N Typhoon it will come with a water resistant cover that will go over the filter. The only worry i would have is slush in the winter, but with ther cover you wouldnt have to worry abut that either. When it comes to the AEM bypass valve, that basically renders the CAI no more usefull than a stock arbox since the bypass valve is cutting off the air flow increase which you are getting from your new CAI...

 

Hmmm, I think I found the one with the 'water cover' on ebay... is that it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/K-N-T...spagenameZWDVW

Why is it so much more expensive than the other ones... which go for $30-$40...

 

K&N Typhoon, designed, engineered, and tested by K&N and uses K&N quality parts need to really say more??? Those 30 to 40 dollar things may work OK but a true quality filter such as K&N is that much alone not to mention the drycharger filter cover mandrel bent powerder coated parts and brackets. Application specific brackets and silicone hose. Get that quality for less I would challenge you. Other name brands sell kits near that or higher and have heard of rattling problems and what not.

 

also a little water going into the engine is good because it turns to steam and cleans the valves and cylinder head. now im not saying pour water into your engine but a ew drops which is what you would get from a cai unless you are submerged id def not going to hust the engine. someone (i forget who) actually makes a kit for cars that sprays water into the engine to clean it. its like steam washing your engine from the inside. its pretty cool

 

The only way you are gonna do any damage to the motor is if you drive through a pretty deep puddle. I am not 100% sure about the 2nd gens, but my 1st gen CAI sits about 16" off the ground, which means I would have to drive through 20" or more of standing water to hydrolock the motor.

 

That is the exact company I bought my K&N from...shipping is a little slow (5-7 biz days) and dont expect any shipping confirmation or any contact with them whatsoever...but its a great price and its a real genuine K&N!

 

Yeah, I got one from them too. He was a bit slow to send it, but it came new and its K&N. But dude....I drove through some big *** puddles just last week splashing water everywhere (enough to get some moisture on my belt and make it squeek for a second) and it didn't hurt anything. You have to drive through a huge puddle or deep deep water to mess things up.