Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning Talk about modifications, or anything else associated with performance enhancements. Have a new idea for performance/reliability? Post it here. No idea is stupid! (please use Detailing and Appearance for cosmetic ideas)

CAI vs FWI

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-10-2005, 01:59 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Thread Starter
 
bonnevillemac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bonnevillemac is on a distinguished road
Default CAI vs FWI

I know this has been beat to death several times, but if anyone could teel me the performance gains of CAI as opposed to FWI it would really help me out.

I'm strugglin with the decision of which one to go with. I know they each have their own advantages but I just don't know which one to go with. Just a few simple #'* would help so much.

One last ? what exactly is KR? I've seen it in here alot esp. dealing with the intake options.


Holla back,
Peace,
Mac.
Old 02-10-2005, 08:54 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
mkaake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
mkaake is on a distinguished road
Default

kr = knock retard. at the risk of the ensuing wrath of dr.jay if i screw up one of the definitions, basically, if the combustion temps are too high, it can cause things to light up a little early in the cylinder. when this happens, the pcm detects knock, and pulls ignition timing to compensate. this creates reduced performance.

as for FWI vs CAI, if you're not looking for the best 1/4 mile time, I honestly don't think you'd notice the difference <ducks>. that said, the CAI is very easy to do, and do right, without having to worry about sheilding the filter from water.

just my .02 though. sure someone will be around soon to say the opposite
Old 02-10-2005, 09:20 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
 
1993 SLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19,756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1993 SLE is on a distinguished road
Default

i dont think that they is any difference between the CAI and THE FWI. One of our fastest bonnes runs a FWI
Old 02-10-2005, 10:09 AM
  #4  
Sol
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Sol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,910
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sol is on a distinguished road
Default

People with FWI'*, swear by FWI'*. People with CAI'*, swear by CAI'*. I've only used a CAI, so I can't say much. However, people with both types of intakes are very happy with them, and they both offer a great gain in power.

In some cases, I think a FWI will reduce KR more, because it is completely blocked off from engine heat, allowing nearly ambient air temps to enter the engine.
Old 02-10-2005, 12:12 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
willwren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
willwren is on a distinguished road
Default

Take a look at 2000SilverBullet'* car, and Rogue'* car. Then decide what you want to tackle. Neither has any engine bay heat.
Old 02-10-2005, 02:18 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Rogue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westerville, Ohio 2000 Black SSEi
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Rogue is on a distinguished road
Default

Knock is what happens when a hot spot in the cylinder ignites the fuel charge before the spark plug. When the two flame fronts collide (the hot spot and the plug) a knocking sound occurs. This is bad for the cylinder and so newer cars have Knock Sensors which are basically microphones listening for knock. When Knock is detected, timing is pulled or sometimes even fuel in order to bring the heat in the cylinder down and stop it from happening.

As for FWI vs CAI. Not every CAI is the same and some are better than others. Most FWI are very similiar in setup and work pretty much the same. I ran an SLP CAI early on with a 7 inch cone and still had 4-6 degrees of KR where I had none with the FWI and a 9 inch cone. I'm sold on the FWI and the two fastest SSEi'* run them.

Hard to beat 60 bucks for the performance you get.

For some actual performance numbers, my CAI saw about 15-20 degree differance over ambient temps while my FWI sees about 2-3 degrees.
Old 02-10-2005, 02:26 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
 
Foghorn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Montréal, QC
Posts: 1,374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Foghorn is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by Rogue
For some actual performance numbers, my CAI saw about 15-20 degree differance over ambient temps while my FWI sees about 2-3 degrees.
I see about 5-8 * over ambient with my CAI. I run mine winter and summer, rain or shine. But if you want the coolest possible air, then run a FWI. Depending on the weather where you live, this may include more cleaning in comparison to the CAI.

Cheers,
Old 02-10-2005, 09:06 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Corvette
 
llBlazin_llLo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bolingbrook, IL Location: Clarkston, MI
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
llBlazin_llLo is on a distinguished road
Default

I think that a good CAI is going to be better then a FWI, common sense just dictates so. With that being said there is not a great aftermarket CAI for the bonne yet and with not many (if any) that are custom being a great solution for us it. It seems that a FWI is going to perform, hold up, and look the best in the bonne platform.
Old 02-10-2005, 09:08 PM
  #9  
Sol
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Sol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,910
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sol is on a distinguished road
Default

Go for it. I've never heard of an engine hydrolocking from a FWI sucking in water. It could happen, but it'* prolly not common if you set it up right.

I didn't get one just cause I'm paranoid. I'll find water in my airbox on occasion, so the thought of a FWI just scares me ... but that'* just me.
Old 02-10-2005, 10:20 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
smellbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
smellbird is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by Sol
Go for it. I've never heard of an engine hydrolocking from a FWI sucking in water. It could happen, but it'* prolly not common if you set it up right.
The only way to hydrolock your engine with a FWI would be to drive into some water deep enough to submerge the filter and then slam the pedal to the floor. Whatever little bits of water come the filters way will probably be stopped, everything else is so minimal that it would evaporate in the combustion process.
For the CAI you need to do lot of fabricating to get a good box. FWI you need to do the routing.


Quick Reply: CAI vs FWI



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:12 PM.