So I have the Challenger style hood, with the inserts removed, and holes cut in the under-the-hood lining so the air flows nicely into the engine compartment. This is good for engine temps... but it also allows other things in there - like water. The right vent has air flowing directly onto the top of the intake.

Soo.... I've decided I want to get an intake - but I'm worried that an open top intake will just suck water in when driving during a serious rain. Am I incorrect in this thinking? The Volant has a closed top, so it should work. Do I have any other options?

 

I would just just put in a K&N drop in filter. If you notice, the stock box really is very similar to any aftermarket setup because it pulls air in from a cutout on the side of the engine compartment. I put on a CAI and don't notice anything much but noise, granted a very sweet noise. Why risk sucking in water and ruining an engine? You could also possibly put on a better flowing tube from the stock box too.

 

Any ideas on where you get just a better flowing tube?

 

Im fairly positive you can buy just the solid intake tube from airaid. I agree with MTtruckr, dont take the chance with an open top CAI and a true ram air hood. The drop in K&N will also give you a couple more MPGs believe it or not. And the Volant isnt cheap! I bought my airaid to work with a magna flow exhaust for the sweet sound, but i have a stock hood.

 

Will replacing the tube with an Airraid tube actually do anything for performance? Or just make it louder?

 

My thoughts are if you replace the tube you will have less restriction and less heating of the air over the stock rubber one. I'll check on my mounting of the tube to the airbox to see if the airaid will even mount.

 

I think I'm just going to get a K&N intake. Found out they have this thing called a Drycharger? Should keep the water out:

The K&N Drycharger® is a silicone treated, polyester wrap that is made to cover K&N Air Filters or Personal Watercraft Flame Arrestors. These Drychargers, which are similar to the K&N Prechargers, contain uniform micron sized openings that allow optimum air flow. Yet, due to the Drychargers silicone treated polyester wrap, the amount of water that reaches the air filter or flame arrestor is limited.

Volant actually uses something similar for their ram air setups.