View Full Version : Dealer AEM CAI intake design concern...


Chimmy3
03-06-2005, 12:47 PM
hey here's something I've always wonder..
i have the dealer option AEM CAI.. and even the day I installed it .. I've always wondered this... why does the end of the tubing curve upward? (meaning the filter is installed pointing upwards)...

I mean in the unlikely event that the filter gets submerged and water is drawn into that piping.. where is it supposed to flow out of? wouldn't the water just be trapped there until it evaporates or slowly gets funneled into the engine? Even with the bypass valve once the filter clears the puddle that water will be sucked upwards (how far.. who knows)... this is something which the tests that AEM has linked to off their site has said to watch for..

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/tech/0104scc_tested/index.html

but my problem is that it will never actually be able to flow out of the tubing (which can lead to all types of problems)..

Since i see no escape route for the water.. does that mean if it draws in enough water the intake will be clogged? or will at the very least decrease performance?

unlmtdndeavor
03-07-2005, 10:35 PM
that is another reason the CAI sucks. get a short ram, its better. but i really don't see the possibility of water getting up there

Ashe_WCM
03-07-2005, 11:02 PM
You would have water in your car if it got that high.. the bottom of the CAI on a stock xA is around 12 inches, seeing as how the xB actually sits higher its prolly even more..

Rion
03-08-2005, 08:34 PM
that is another reason the CAI sucks. get a short ram, its better. but i really don't see the possibility of water getting up there

Except for the fact that a short ram will suck in warmer air than the stock intake does. If anything short rams probably decrease performance.

xmetalx
03-08-2005, 11:36 PM
that is another reason the CAI sucks. get a short ram, its better. but i really don't see the possibility of water getting up there

Except for the fact that a short ram will suck in warmer air than the stock intake does. If anything short rams probably decrease performance.

you have no idea what your talking about, the injen short ram out performs every CAI made for this car, look at the dynos at the top of the page, CAI=overated, my injen short ram takes in just as much cold air as a cai with the left fog light cover off

WagenMaster
03-10-2005, 08:37 PM
Well AEM makes two different CAIs for the xB.

Scion dealers only have the option to order one of them in their system--the one that does a loop in the engine bay and doesn't offer much performance.

The other version (the one I have) is more of a short cai. It goes straight from the air intake between the battery and the grill, and down below the fog light.
I love it! It's comparable to the Injen version. It gives a nice growl, and is more torquey from 2500-3500 RPMs.

I'd recommend it over the Injen, but that's just my $0.02

unlmtdndeavor
03-10-2005, 10:06 PM
that is another reason the CAI sucks. get a short ram, its better. but i really don't see the possibility of water getting up there

Except for the fact that a short ram will suck in warmer air than the stock intake does. If anything short rams probably decrease performance.

you have no idea what your talking about, the injen short ram out performs every CAI made for this car, look at the dynos at the top of the page, CAI=overated, my injen short ram takes in just as much cold air as a cai with the left fog light cover off
thank you xmetalx...

TheScionicMan
03-10-2005, 11:06 PM
A little water won't hurt your engine, it's sucking moisture all the time.