I have not had a problem yet but after reading a few posts I am a bit worried I made the wrong decision. There has been a long standing debate of which is better...CAI/SRI.

I guess my question is...Which one is REALLY better for the Xb and performs better?

 

it really is a personal preference to answer the question best. since the debate is constantly ongoing. i don't see either side really giving credit either way. so you have to do what you feel is best.

 

i have the k&n cai i felt a big defference i like it alot

 

I had the AEM cold air intake (with the "former" K&N filter, not the AEM Dry Tech filter). I had the XB for over a year and had no problems with it whatsoever.

 

here we go, this'll be fun:


okey! well, a Cold Air Intake doesnt do all that much. I own the AEM CAI and it looks great under the hood. Although, it doesnt add much performance due to the fact that its about 5 feet long if it were streched out straight. Also, the AEM Cold Air Intake has a "bypass valve" which is like a second filter.

Also, it doesnt technicly bring in "COLD AIR" because any air under the hood is warm and by the time it even gets to the intake manifold, it'll have gotten hot anyway. Plus, do you know where the filter is? its in a spot that practicly gets barely any air at all!

A Short ram is a very good intake because its basic and it would actually give you better performance because its getting air right away into the engine. Possibly even colder air too!

Trust me, i thought a CAI was better until i get a lecture by Shawn from SUPERFA.COM. He pretty much told me what i just typed.


Go for the short ram. Its cheaper and gives you same performance.

 

actually it's more about volumetric efficiancy and velocity, but IMO you're better off with a short ram.

 

another vote for Short Ram. I installed a Perrin SR and couldn't be more pleased with the performance.

 

volant

 

I would have to disagree on some of these points. First, how do you figure that the filter is in a place that doesn't get air? It's not in a vacuum, and it's NOT under the hood. It is down in front of the driver's front tire outside the frame rail from the engine compartment. The short ram sits with the filter completely in the engine compartment, the back being completely opened to it. It's not going to only draw air in from the front, but from the back as well. There's plenty of air to draw in at the CAI filter location, and having less volatile airflow around it may help. Also, the time when a Cold Air Intake will give you more benefit is off the line, so the airflow to the SRI doesn't really matter then. When your sitting at a stop and the engine compartment is heating up, where do you want your filter?


The pipe is long for a reason. They find the optimum length for best performance and then fit it into the engine bay. The length is not a detriment, it's part of the tuning. There's a reason CAI's are more expensive, it's not just more piping but more R&D. The short ram is just a quick and dirty method of eliminating the OEM airbox without the real tuning for performance.

I have heard that the AEM bypass valve negates some benefit from it. The Injen CAI doesn't have that valve.

Also, Injen lists the SRI in the IS class:
And the CAI is in the RD series, Race Division:
Is that just a marketing ploy?

 

...well, i guess your right...

most of what i posted i just divised from thought. I never really did any research or anything like that.


thanks for clearing it up

 

Jeez Bouncer...don't ever be a criminal...you might crack under pressure if you're pinched!

 

Has anyone actually had a dyno test to prove any of this? Any before and after real world testing, not from the manufacturers claims of HP improvement. If all ya'll are going by is what you think may work best and never had any real numbers to back anything up well............

 

I have the K&N Typhoon CIA. I personally love it. Noticable performance gains, and it sounds great. Also, I only paid $160 for it from Crutchfiled. I can't compare it to much else other than the stock intake, but as I said I'm very happy with it.

 

Go warm up your car and put a temp probe behind the headlight (where a SR filter is located), and then behind the fog light housing (where a CAI filter is located) and tell me what the differance is. If you're short on time I'll just tell ya there aint much...the volitile air is not an issue with either intakes.


So what you're saying is that the CIA acts like a long runner intake on a on a small block Ford...I guess this is where volumetric efficiency and velocity would come in! If it acts like a long runner, then it should be more suited to low end power but lose efficiency in the upper power band. I use a short runner intake mani on my small block for power on top. My car gained 26hp (dyno, not marketing) just from switching to a short runner from a dual plane. It also lost a little torque on the bottom, but I have a clutch to help make up for it. It made for much better trap speeds and a better ET at the track. I would hate to think the automotive industry has been using a quick and dirty method for the past 100 years that didn't really work.

If my wifes car were not FI I would use a SR because I believe it performs better, looks better, is cheaper, and works better with nitrous.


Olsen has the AEM with a bypass valve on his car and it was the topic we were discussing. He would be better off with a SR IMO.


Marketing ploy??? No way!!!


Either way you go you will see a very modest increase for both. People are generally happy with the noise they hear and the placibo effect you get when you put a new part on your car and really want it to work.

This is all my opinion...more than likely I'm wrong, but I dont think so. If you like the look of a CAI then it will be the best for you. If you like the sound and the additional (very little for both) power for a smaller price then get the SR.

Everybody wins!!!

 

Good post...I agree totally. I would do it, except I don't have any reason because I wouldnt ever use either. I'm sure someone must have a dyno of the two on the same car.

 

i got a k&n cai for my xA, the only thing i noticed was it is now louder, and i get better mileage.

 

i have the typhoon on my tc and I only have one problem...the bottom mount for the down pipe some how jars loose and rubs against the bracket making a hard metal to metal noise....i've tried many attempts to keep it from doing that.....any suggestions...other than that probelm I love it