As a previous owner of an AEM CAI w/ bypass on my last car, I can't begin to tell you how many times the bypass saved my butt. In Southern California, when it rains, it FLOODS fast everywhere. I had to drive through 3' of standing water a few times and I'm sure it would have hydrolocked my engine if it weren't for the bypass.

After swearing by the bypass mod to the CAI, I'm faced with the following to possible options for my new Injen CAI:
1. Buy the appropriate AEM bypass filter with the correct diameter. It looks like I won't have to do any cutting since the rubber sleeve joining the pipe together can possibly be replaced to accomodate the bypass. I have been unable to located a member here on AZ that has installed the bypass after searching.
2. Convert the Injen CAI to a SRI

(Image taken from Wolfpack's DIY instructions)
It looks like I might be able to simply place the K & N at the end of the 1st pipe located where the rubber sleeve with the 'Injen' logo is shown to the right. The lower 2nd pipe can be removed and stored until the dry months come back.

Yes, I know I'm paranoid. Keep in mind how many times in the past the bypass has saved me coupled with the fact I live in so-called "sunny" southern Cali. Furthermore, given the fact that my wife occasionally drives my car with our baby in the back seat, I really wouldn't forgive myself for stranding them in a flood because I simply wanted 10hp.

Feedback?

 

seems like a reasonable thing to do to me, good luck

 

The Injen was actually purposely designed to be run in CAI AND SRI modes like you suggested. I change mine to SRI for winter months.

 

Maybe it was a bad idea to throw away those darn instructions...

Do you agree with the logic that I'd be wasting my money on a bypass when it will simply lower my power gains into SRI territory?

 

If there is a defined rainy season and you can change it to SR mode during that time then I wouldn't bother with the bypass, as long as your comfortable.

I can't ever recall flood conditions that would threaten my CAI so I wouldn't bother. But if it can flood at anytme and you've been saved by the bypass in the past then I say get it. -5 HP is better than having to replace the engine.

 

Its very easy to do, did you did the CAI install yourself?

 

Yep. http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23241

When the time comes, however, I don't think I'll do the header myself.

 

What kind of flood conditions are necessary for the CAI to hydrolock your engine, what kind of conditions are neccesary to affect the car in SRI mode? I think I'm gonna do the install tommorow, but I'm not sure about the bypass mod... If anyone could answer these questions it would help me decide.. I do live in Chicago and it really doesn't rain like that so often although there are days where it's pretty bad... Would your car have to be in knee deep water or can casual rain affect the engine? I also would like to know what the difference in HP gains is on the SRI and CAI modes... what is the overall difference between the two? Thanks.

 

Search your ass off...this has been covered numerous upon numerous times.

Expect about 7-8 whp with SRI and about 10-12 whp with CAI. the reason is that the intake is taking in air from a place outside of the engine bay, cold air means more air can be jammed into the cylinder and you get more power. The gains you see from a SRI basically come from removing the restriction of the stock intake.

As far as hydrolock, you have nothing to worry about in SRI mode...ok i'm tired of typing about this, search for the rest

 

look at all this agony...

i'm leaving mine stock! :p

 

I wouldn't worry about it. I went through the same trepidation before I got the Injen. I started a post on here a while back and had people tell me the same thing - don't worry, just do it. I have driven in extremely rainy conditions, through large puddles (probably at least 3" deep) and no problems. The only time you'll have a problem is if you drive into water about a foot deep, which is not a good idea no matter what. If you are worried about a particular puddle take your foot off the gas and coast through it. This way the engine isn't sucking air through the intake like a straw. Besides, if you look under the car where the filter goes it's pretty well encased so water splashing shouldn't ever be an issue. I say put it on in CAI mode, leave it there, and enjoy the 10 extra hp!

 

Yea, I agree, thanx for the help. I'll post some impressions and stuff when I install it tommorow...

 

Good luck! And try not to laugh too hard when you go WOT with the Injen!!

 

??

Laugh or smile?

 

Laugh at the car in your rear view mirror.

 

If I am ever in doubt, I just get some speed up before I get to the puddle and coast through it. That way, your off the throttle so your throttle body is closed to minimum and your engine is pullding in almost no air.

But if there is like a 1/4 mile of 3-4" water, then thats probably where I'd wish I was in SRI mode and turn around and find a different way home.

 

Both! I think when I first started driving it after the install I was grinning ear to ear. Then I took it to a windy road and laughed like a madman as I did 60 through the turns with the engine screaming!

BTW, I also had the comptech short shifter and rear sway bar installed at the same time.

 

mine has been in SRI since i first bought it and i was one of the first people to place an order for the Injen intake. Do you think its time i stop being so lazy and switch it to CAI?

 

If you want to double your hp. I've always had it in CAI mode so I don't know the difference first hand but it can only get better. I think it would be worth it.

 

isn't it a pain in the butt to clean it in CAI mode?

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...t=filter+clean

 

gracias

 

Got my Injen CAI (chrome) in the day before yesterday!! Installing it in CAI mode this afternoon.......... Can't wait to feel and hear the difference

 

in SR mode do you still have to remove the resonator box? or is that only if you do the full CAI?

 

Uneccessay for SRI, but i would remove it anyway, it clears up the air path plus all that weight savings

 

Anyone know (from experience) if a short ram actually produces a noticeable difference in performance? I'm looking for more upgrades...

 

TOV did a dyno run with the AEM intake and noticed some pretty good gains. I don't think it's any cheaper than the Injen or K&N kits which can be used either in SR or CAI so you're probably better off going with one of those. I'm running the Injen in SR mode and I like it.

 

Read the TOV article a few times mulling the purchase. Didn't know the others could go CAI or SR, though. That will be taken into consideration. I guess what I mean by "noticeable," I'm looking for a reply that talks about the actual seat-of-the-pants-pin-you-in-your-seat experience between stock and SR... Also, I understand installation of one changes the sound of the exhaust? I like the growl, but want it the be respectable... not like some crazed lawnmower.

 

The sound is respectable, but if your looking for that "seat-of-the-pants-pin-you-in-your-seat" feeling, you bought the wrong car...you will get a slight push in the upper RPM's but don't go racing porsche's

 

You can definitely feel the difference between stock, especially after about 3500rpm.

Sound wise, it doesn't change the sound of the exhaust, it's the roar of the engine coming back through the intake. Both CAI and SRI are much louder than stock but only when you're going WOT. Cruising is exactly the same as stock.

It's also a deeper tone than you'd get with the stock intake.

 

We're talking about ~8hp here, not 80.

 

Still?

You must really be afraid of that resonator bolt

 

understood, just looking for a little more power to really use the a-spec.

 

I have no excuse other than laziness.

 

I dn't blame him if he was though, i'm still having nightmares

 

Just installed my Injen CAI and WOW! That thing is loud as a motorcycle... I have a Greddy EVO2 and the Injen CAI and the car sounds like a monster! Love the performance and the sound is great... (The sound is Similar to a WRX on steroids)

 

Congrats! Now go get yourself some speeding tickets!!

 

Lol, is there anything to dampen the noise coming from the engine bay? The CAI makes a lot of noise when inducting air...

 

Btw, is there anything I could have done wrong that would really make the CAI sound louder?

 

Stay under 5000 RPM?









j/k at jlukja