Cold Air Intake/Fuel Mileage
Retired Moderator - RIP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 17
From: NH
Yes I have personal experience with the 14x3 , and if I care to, I could do a search on here where many other members confirm the fact. Besides, I've yet to figure out how a 14x3 can be sucking anything but hot air, since it sitting on top of a 200 degree motor.
Site Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,374
Likes: 28
From: Sioux Falls, SD
The 14x3 works under the theory of sucking in more air, not cold air. The CAI works under the theory of sucking more air AND cold air, but most CAIs still suck in hot engine air, just from the front of the engine compartment as opposed to directly over the top of the engine. Those "heat shields" that they come with are a joke, hot air still gets over and below them.
A "true" CAI is something like a Volant setup, a completely enclosed filter.
However, the possible argument about the intake manifold is still there, the air has time to warm back up, despite whatever intake design you use.
A "true" CAI is something like a Volant setup, a completely enclosed filter.
However, the possible argument about the intake manifold is still there, the air has time to warm back up, despite whatever intake design you use.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1
From: Wisconsin
I wasn't arguing I was just curious. I wonder if the loss has to do with the air not following a direct path to the intake when there is minimal flow.
Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
From: Vineland, NJ
The difference between a CAI and a 14X3 is probably negligible on these engines for the simple fact that they use a plenum intake design. This design does not benefit much from cooler intake air because it has plenty of time to be heated while in the longer intake tract and plenum. Unlike traditional intakes where the incoming air goes right from the filter into the intake runner and then to the combustion chamber spending less time exposed to engine heat in the process. Cooler intake air in those designs is of benefit. The main benefit of a CAI or 14X3 on our engines is reduction of intake restriction caused by the stock air cleaner housing. Better breathing=increased throttle response.
Record Breaker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,210
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From: Crystal River, FL
I had the 14x3 and can also confirm the slight bottom end loss. I am going to get the ramair box in the near the future with twin air ducts, but for the time being I rigged this up, and have been very pleased with it.
Stock airbox, with K&N drop in, air duct running from airbox to behind grille.
It has a pretty nice sound to it, and if anything, it is an improvement over the 14x3.
Stock airbox, with K&N drop in, air duct running from airbox to behind grille.
It has a pretty nice sound to it, and if anything, it is an improvement over the 14x3.
Professional
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: bellefontaine ohio
ive never had any experiences with the tbs on an efi but i have had them on a carburated 350 sbc, it did make a difference in a more efficent burn ( i had to richen it up and the plugs stayed brown) but on an efi other than the chevy tbi setup is kinda stupid, it doesnt mix the air with fuel like on a carb, thats my 2cents though