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Edit: I realize this is an old post I just wanted to set the record straight for future readers such as me. I'm currently looking into how penstars respond to the extra CFM and if I need to step up to 89octane since the compression is 11:1 or 10:1 (can't remember) and 87octane is called for but I think it's because the stock air filter is a measly 30square inches and can't provide more than 180CFM at 6000RPM when 380CFM is needed.
I've put a short ram intake on a 2013 Elantra, 2015 Altima, and later this week I'm putting one my 2018 Grand Caravan with 3.6L penstar.
Yes they do improve performance in a way. You will lose low RPM torque but your throttle response will become much quicker, by that I mean your engine will rev up to the 3000-4000RPM range much quicker and that is the range of peak horsepower. So while not necessarily creating a significant improvement in HP or torque (likely less than 20HP or ft lbs of torque) you will get where you want to be in your power band much quicker. Your mileage will suffer, BUT THE SOUND, oh the sound. The stock air box kills a bunch of sound that you get fed back up the intake. With a pod near the engine you will get all that glorious powerful sound.
That said I have never installed a "Cold air intake" which is where the pipe is really long to the bottom of the vehicle and the filter is under the vehicle. A short ram is when the filter is near the engine. As others indicated you need to buy or build a box to contain the cool air that your stock pipe used to bring up the your stock air box. The cheapest way to do this is go to a junk yard and buy a stock air box. Cut a hole to bring in whatever pipe you have going to your intake. Get some rubber weather stripping (melting point above 500F should be more than safe) and put it in the box around that tube, and between the top of the box and the hood or make a top for the box. Then you are sucking the air from the outside just as usual.
Apples to Orangutans.
The truck motors are designed for an entirely different power band than any of the other vehicles you mentioned. Also, I would never believe 20 hp from a cold air intake by itself, without dyno charts to prove it. Unless the stock airbox, etc, are stupid restrictive, you aren't going to see more than 1 or 2 horsepower from a CAI. (and no manufacturer makes their intake tract that restrictive.......) Most of what little you get is because of the filter in any event.
Trucks are designed to build torque quickly, and every part of the powertrain is designed with that in mind. The stock air system is ALREADY a cold air system, and it draws air from the EXACT same place all the aftermarket fellers do. Only difference being, the aftermarket guys use slightly larger diameter tube... so, you can flow more in the upper RPM range. Unfortunately, the intake manifold negates any potential gains up there, because it ISN'T DESIGNED to operate in that RPM range.
On the trucks, a CAI system does absolutely nothing, aside from lighten your wallet.
I strongly disagree with you I don't believe that an internal combustion engine cares what it's attached to. The Penstar V6 in my van is not different than the one that is in the pickup truck. Neither is any other gas engine that they put in a pickup truck. The transmission might vary the torque but not the engine. But the beauty of the Forum is I've got to say my piece and you've got to say yours and I just want to say I don't agree. Also I don't own a dino or have access to one, that's a ridiculous thing to claim I need to do. The manufacturer makes the claim so go troll them. What I said really had little to do with 20 horsepower. If that's all that you took away from all that I wrote then you voiced my time replying.
Aftermarket suppliers of cold air intakes take advantage of the ill informed. Your vehicle. Your money. Do what you want. Do I run them? Yes. But only for looks.
I strongly disagree with you I don't believe that an internal combustion engine cares what it's attached to. The Penstar V6 in my van is not different than the one that is in the pickup truck. Neither is any other gas engine that they put in a pickup truck. The transmission might vary the torque but not the engine. But the beauty of the Forum is I've got to say my piece and you've got to say yours and I just want to say I don't agree. Also I don't own a dino or have access to one, that's a ridiculous thing to claim I need to do. The manufacturer makes the claim so go troll them. What I said really had little to do with 20 horsepower. If that's all that you took away from all that I wrote then you voiced my time replying.
Engines are designed to operate within specific RPM ranges. Trucks, by their nature, are designed to develop most of their power down low, where they need it to get heavy loads moving. Your cars, minivans, etc, are more for transportation, than hauling, so, they make power higher up in the RPM range. (also, being smaller motors, they naturally don't produce a lot of power down low, unless they are using some variety of forced induction.)
I have been doing this for decades. I have a clue. Cold air induction on these trucks is a placebo. That's it. Sure, if you have other mods, CAI may, or may not, help them produce a bit more power, but, it's still measured in small, single-digit, numbers.
You simply can't take one vehicle, slap a cold air system on it, and then apply those results to everything else on the road. It just does not work that way.
And it doesn't matter what is bolted to any said engine if the engine cannot benefit from outside "improvements." More air only really helps if there's more area to compress it, i.e. bigger combustion chamber. A larger exhaust pipe won't help either unless the manifold ports are larger.
We've all been around this merry-go-round many years ago when these engines were the latest offering from Dodge. We've also tried all the gimmicks out there to improve power. Here's my first hand experience:
- KN drop-in filter had noticeable improvement in throttle response. No sound improvement. No change in MPG
- 14x3 filter had noticeable increase in sound sucking air. No change in MPG. No change in throttle response.
- Never bought a "cold-air" kit as the stock box is cold air.
- Installed Fastman 50mm throttle body to help feed the air faster. Teeny bit of power improvement at sea level.
- Installed Flowmaster muffler. Noticeable throttle response improvement.
- Installed Magnaflow hi-flow cat. Noticeable throttle response improvement.
That's it. That's all any of us can expect. The engine can only do so much without being bored out and using bigger heads, pistons, etc. The old adage is true: no replacement for displacement. If all you're after is a loud air sucking sound, go get yourself a ford 6-oh-no and throw a massive filter on that. Then you can be the idiot whistling down the road. I yield my remaining time to Heyyou.
Engines are designed to operate within specific RPM ranges. Trucks, by their nature, are designed to develop most of their power down low, where they need it to get heavy loads moving. Your cars, minivans, etc, are more for transportation, than hauling, so, they make power higher up in the RPM range. (also, being smaller motors, they naturally don't produce a lot of power down low, unless they are using some variety of forced induction.)
I have been doing this for decades. I have a clue. Cold air induction on these trucks is a placebo. That's it. Sure, if you have other mods, CAI may, or may not, help them produce a bit more power, but, it's still measured in small, single-digit, numbers.
You simply can't take one vehicle, slap a cold air system on it, and then apply those results to everything else on the road. It just does not work that way.
the best CAI is the stock one. the aftermarket ones just sound and look better. there are people who have dino tested CAI's and had no change in results other than sound. i know i love the sound my engine make sucking in air through a 14x4 even tho i know it is not adding power but i do at least know it is not restricting the engine.
Exactly ! Pretty much every vehicle made in the past 20 some years has a pretty decent intake. Back in the day when the air filters were round and sucked hot air from under the hood these CAI actually made sense. With increased demands on emissions and efficiencies engineers have put some work into the intake tract. Ever noticed the gas 2nd gens pull air from the passenger fender well ? They did that for a reason.... Those cool looking and sounding intakes can even have a diametrical effect. I used to wheel my 2003 Rubicon with a guy that had the same year Rubicon with a CAI. Keeping that thing running in deep water crossings was a challenge, no issue in my Jeep.
As for power increases, keep in mind gas engines are quantity regulated, that's fancy engineering speak for a throttle. So in normal driving with the throttle partway closed a CAI makes no difference, you're adjusting the power output to the desired speed. *If* running WOT *and* the CAI allows more air and/or cooler air into the engine, *and* the engine control management is willing (remember emissions and fuel economy) to add more fuel a little more power can be gained. Pretty much irrelevant for normal driving.
I think people are getting confused about CAI's. The major difference is the filter element! Below is a video of real dyno testing with different filters only. Stock set up not what some of the so called "cold air" intakes do witch is use the hot air in the engine compartment. So if you think all the hype is about the CIA system it is not. What are some of the small differences that can effect performance is the accordion style air inlet on the stock set up. It can cause turbulence in the incoming air but only during high rpm's. The smooth ones on the CAI's will improve things somewhat but mainly at high rpm driving not every day driving. And it's not going to be in the double digits gains. If you want bang for your buck replace the stock filter with a K&N (like i have in mine ). If you want a true cold air/ram air intake get one of these...
If you want to trade off filtering efficiency for performance gains that's fine, after all many race cars have no air filters. Personally, if I look at a used vehicle to possibly purchase and I see a K&N filter I walk away.
). If you want a true cold air/ram air intake get one of these...
