I have an Aem cold air intake on my 99' 3.0 CL and I was wondering if I really need an bypass valve on it or not. I live and texas, and yes it does rain here too. Im not really worried about hydrolocking, its just one of my friends said that even if the filter isnt submerged it will still suck up a little bit of water and edventually it will ruin the engine. Is that true? I love this car so much and id definatly rather be safe then sorry, so what do you guys think?

 

don't think so man! I mean maybe a little moisture, but that's in the air. the only way that thing is getting water up there is in a flood.

 

Put it like this....it cant hurt. If you hit a puddle, or get stuck in a downpour, you ll wish you had it. Besides, it only costs like $30. Lot cheaper than an engine my friend.

 

^Thats what I was thinking too.^ Alittle less performance, but probably worth it, just incase

 

It rains all the time in portland and I haven't had a problem yet. Not to say that i wasn't scared shitless one time... Going bout 65 on 205 North and hit a huge puddle of water that not only blinded me from the splash from the car in front of me but also sent me hydroplaning pretty good. That is the one time that i was REALLY scared, but other than that I have been fine. If you don't intend to completly submerge your front end into a puddle you don't really need it. You have to surround the whole filter with water in order for you to get hydro lock. If you get a little water in the intake, that is normal. Just don't drive near LARGE puddles...

 

Like I said im not worried about hydrolock, im just worried about the long term affects. Has anyone had their cai on for like 5 years or more? Anyone had any problems that relate to this?

 

had one on my teggy for three years. I live in upstate NY so it's always raining or snowing...
no problems with that.

 

I was at the acura dealership last week, chillin wid my mechanic. His team was rebuilding a b18c5 because the kid bought a cheapy CAI, and he midunderestimated a puddle, and he now has 2 holes about 4 inches big on the side of his block... If it wasnt for his full covarage, he would out of an engine. GET A BYPASS!!!!!!

 

Of course noone intends to submerge their filter in water, but sometimes a "puddle" can be misleading, especially at nighttime...

I'd definitely get a bypass...lose 1hp or possibly lose the motor...