Last thing I want is to be argumentative and so I'm inclined to agree that 10-20F degrees is probably what people should expect at normal max for a CAI. In other words, probably not enough difference to be particularly noticeable for normal DD driving. That is to say,, CAI clearly has theoretical advantages, but whether the typical driver will benefit from them is entirely up to question. Plus, the real world downside could be catastrophic (without deliberate precaution), though hopefully, it would not materialize as such.

I'm in favor of CAI, but not at the expense of owner risk of their vehicle! Fact is, SRI works pretty darn well and I've yet to recognize a serious down side ! If an individual is ultra keen on the possibilities of CAI, then by all means go for it, but for others, I'm not sure I see the point !

 

Please do not reiterate your previous position and pretend that you're agreeing with me. I never said nor implied anything you just said. I really couldn't care less if you agree with me or not.

As far as I'm concerned the OP and others have heard enough about the performance benefits of CAI over SRI (HAI) and the potential risk of engine hydro-lock with a CAI when fording deep water crossings. Caveat emptor.

 

I tried to establish a middle ground, but since you find my viewpoint so unsatisfactory, I hope you can forgive XD420tC for his seriously bad luck during normal commuting with his CAI. I don't recall what car he purchased to replace his xB, but it wasn't a Scion. And OK, yes, fundamentally, I disagree with your perspective! But let's not make it personal !

 

No, you didn't. You dismissed the factual data that I presented and "rounded" it down from 40F to "10-20F max". For someone who has never had a CAI or SRI on his XB nor done any data logging of actual real-world IATs with the stock airbox, CAI or SRI you certainly proclaim to know a lot about the subject.

Let me get this straight... the air in your engine compartment was so hot that you had to completely wrap your header with thermal wrap to prevent your #3 coil from failing due to excessive heat but this same air is only 10-20F hotter than the outside air drawn in from the front bumper vent?

Maybe you shouldn't be using the oem MLS exhaust manifold gasket since it's there by design to help transfer heat from the water-cooled head to the exhaust gas-cooled header? ROFL!

So now driving on deeply flooded roads is considered "normal commuting" and stupidity is "bad luck"? I'm sorry that this guy made such an expensive mistake but even the smartest people do stupid things on occasion. It's not for me to forgive his mistake or to recommend SRIs or bypass valves to everyone to help protect them from themselves.


.