Does it work or is it a snappy sales pitch for an expensive part?

I just put in a K&N air filter and was wondering if there is any benefit to one of these add on devices.

Is this something that generates horsepower to the rear wheels or can you really tell the difference in the seat of your pants when you get on it.

 

Check out neuronbob's old dyno clips to see what a CAI does.

This link below takes you to page 3 of the thread which post 108 has a discussion of why the CAI may work better than stock, and deliver more power. If you go to page 1, you will see a series of videos and dyno tests.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10015015

 

I haven't found anyone who sells a CAI for the RL.

Now I do have a CAI on my Mustang.

The CAI will provide less restrictive airflow. I can't speak to the RL, but in my Mustang, the CAI alone adds about 8 hp. You have to remember that while less restrictive airflow is good, ultimately the mass airflow sensor (MAF) is what provides information to the ECU to regulate air/fuel mixtures. I also purchasesd a tune that allowed me to down load a more aggressive map to the ECU to take advantage of the increased airflow. Between the CAI and the tune, I've added about 20 hp. The CAI alone didn't provide a "seat of the pants" improvement in the performance, but that changes with the tune.

Honda, unlike Ford, is very restrictive on allowing the aftermarket access to the ECU for that type of tinkering.

I remember when I had my '01 TL, a CAI was pretty easy to find, but as I said though, I have yet to find a CAI for the RL.

 

Typically, I think the 3G TL AEM intake is used for the RL. There have been others used, but you have to search. Again, the AEM needs a little extra support with a custom strap. Get a water heater strap from the Home Depot, and drill a hole in the firewall to attach it. Take a look at the famous Touge thread for that one.

 

ultimately though, even if you do a CAI on the RL - do you REALLY gain any power you can feel or just noise????

 

bob did exhaust and CAI, see the dyno clips. He gained real 10-13 whp. He did the dynos because the scientist in him wanted objective evidence, not just the I think it feels faster that everyone claims.

 

Do you mean that the stripe down the middle of the hood does not increase performance?

 

Not nearly as much as the Type R badge increases your performance!

 

Come on guys...black is what makes a car go faster. That is why all the plastic under the hood is black. Ok, so what your saying is that the CAI does make 13 whp...that translates to a lot more response to the throttle. Your saying however that no one makes one for an RL but to buy the one for a TL? What is the cost?

 

What the Buschur Racing performed dyno tests say is that the AEM 3G TL CAI plus the 5zigen KB1 Fireball Mega exhaust can add up to 13 whp.

There is no dyno baseline that I know of for 2G Acura RL with a 3G TL CAI only, although you could be the first to do this!

There are several companies that make 3G TL CAI including AEM, Tanabe, Injen, K&N. Bob chose the AEM because several before had done their RL's up with an AEM CAI. I think there is nothing that says others won't work.

Cost, typically about $250 is what I remember. There are more than a few vendors for these items. Check the TL boards for sources if you are interested in a CAI, and I am sure there are sources there.

 

I have the TL's AEM CAI in mine, but the oem exhaust system (and an illuminated Type R LED on the trunk lid). I'd rank the performance upgrade as mild and the noise upgrade as medium -- it gets loud when you open it up, silent otherwise.

 

I can handle the noise factor, but now the discussion tosses in an expensive exhaust system. Yep, they usually do go hand in hand, but I am just wondering what $250 bang for the buck will get me. I had a AEM CAI on my Honda CRX and it was worth it, but anything on a 1600 cc engine is worth a few more hp. I could trounce alot of cars with that set up I had built up on that car. I really miss my CRX

 

The RL is a car designed with a purpose. There are numerous compramises but as a package, it is a great car with great features. If you wanted a car that has the edge in performance then you bought the wrong car. Adding 13 HP to this car will only be noticable if you measure it with a dyno and within a week of driving it any improvement, that you think you noticed, will become "normal" to you.
To reap any potential benefit from the improvements you will have to put your foot on the floor and be racing on every trip. The cost in gasoline to reap any improvements and the cost in tickets/insurance will far outway any benefit. Over 99% of driving does not use all of the available HP or cornering ability which is inherant to the car that is being driven. E.G. max HP approx = 5500 rpm. Take a look at how fast you are going in 5th gear to utilize this extra HP. The RL can probably take most freeway intersections at 70MPH but 90% of people slow down because they don't feel "in control" while pulling 0.9g's in the drivers seat.
Conclusion is that most cars have more ability than the drivers in them. Maybe a V10 M5 in in your horizon?

 

This is sooooo true! I know the RL has far more ability than I. We should also appreciate how well integrated the SH-AWD and VSA are in this car. Just read any of the winter testing results against Audi, Lexus and MB, where the SH-AWD and VSA are really exercised heavily....

now back to our regularly scheduled thread on CAI's