im scared that my aem cai will suck up water and well decided to install the bypass valve.

i have no electric saw or anything to cut the pipe.

planing on going to the hardware store to get a hand saw.

which one will be best to get for cutting the pipe?

thanks..

 

Perhaps you should attend the local meet (Nov 23 @ Milpitas) before you do something so drastic. Alot of us there will have CAIs without the bipass valve and can better explain the pros/cons of having one.

 

measure once, cut twice!

 

unless you plan on driving through a puddle deep enough to submerge the filter on the intake, don't sweat it. little splashes of water onto it aren't going to do a damn thing.

 

Get a hacksaw. It's easy. Make sure the blade you get has tiny teeth. Makes for a cleaner cut.

 

i cut mine twice and it was still too short ;-)

 

A member of a local Accord club has a CAI and bypass. His car still sucked water and stalled. Althought no damage was done, it sure is scary. Is the bypass really that safe?

Tatewaki

 

If I was living in an area where small flooding occurs, I'd just cut that bad boy all the way to the top and leave it as a short ram instead of installing the valve.

 

why does it seem like no one wants to install the bypass valve like its something wrong?

i thought everyone would install one for the peace of mind?

and installing a bypass valve is a drastic move? ehh?

 

The bypass valve takes away about 1-2hp...seems minimal but every little bit counts. Also the bypass valve looks ugly on the CAI, IMO.

 

It's no use bro, there will still be doubters and want to have that "peice of mind"

but I know IF I ever get a CAI, it will be by-pass less.

 

I got a bypass valve. NYC is owned by poor drainage, so we always have to drive through puddles. I didnt get it for the HP, I got it for the looks and the sound, so I dont really care if I lose another HP. Its all preference. And I dont think it looks bad. I have pics in my sig.

 

You can lose this just on a hot day. The bypass valve is cheap insurance. It seems foolish to me not to have it.

 

DO a search for EricL...he's very well respected and could provide a lot of information on the subject on why NOT to install a bi-pass valve (or at the very least, the one that is made by AEM).

In theory it does make sense, but the execution still needs some work. Here's a quick list of some of its flaws. Mind you, these are NOT rumors or theories...but actual events that have happened to members here and in ACL.

Depending on the installation, constant vibrating of the engine will eventually crack the plastic housing. This will cause a massive air leak and even worse, suck up plastic pieces inside the throttle body. Buyer beware, there has been numerous recalls for units like these.

Second, the bi-pass valves are set too loosely, which by the way opens up 2 cans of worms. Most users report that you don’t even need to be submerged in water for them to open up, while some members even noticed them opening up in low RPMS (have some1 else rev the engine while you sit there observing the valves with the hood open). If you still don't understand why this is bad then you have no business modding your car.

Opened can of worms #1…Air filtration should ALWAYS come from the main filter head, and should only come from the bi-pass when an absolute vacuum is created. If the bi-pass opens up more than it should, then you are in essence letting in dirt that would normally be filtered through an oil soaked media. The foam filter around the bi-pass is a joke. Don’t let it fool you that it is a true filter unless you periodically oil it.

Opened can of worms #2…You have now just lost the purpose of what a true CAI should be. The whole point of the CAI is so that you can gather colder air that is located underneath the engine. Having the bi-pass filter open every time you go in WOT pretty much nullifies the colder air that you should be getting. To top it off, you want the air to travel as smooth as possible, and if the bi-pass valves are open, you literally cause major turbulence in the air flow (which reduces the amount of air you are allowed to take in).

Now the question is…what if they fixed it? What if they used aluminum instead of plastic, and what if they tightened up the valves so they don’t open unless submerged in water? Well, the answer is that you STILL LOOSE POWER! Why? Turbulence my friend, in an ideal situation like this where everything works, smooth air flow is the key. Every turn of the pipe, every wrinkle in the walls (that’s why the accordion tube of the OEM intake is bad), and even how air flows in the filter (that’s why velocity stacks were made on the filter head) matters. Still having doubts? Go to the AEM website and even they will tell you that a bi-pass valve is not meant for race applications since you WILL loose overall power (even if it DOES work).

So where does this leave you in comparison with everyone else? Having a CAI with a bi-pass valve is like someone else with a short ram, except that the guy with the short ram will be able to inspect/clean his filter more frequently. In addition, he will have cleaner air going in his engine and not have to worry about making any warranty claims against AEM if the bi-pass valves were to break. In the end you have to ask yourself what type of person are you.

Are you looking for a slight increase in performance but afraid of the added trouble it might cause you in the future (sounds like YOU) then a short ram is your answer.

Or…are you a true performance enthusiast that care about power and understand the responsibility of properly oiling the filter that you generally can’t get to?

Not to sound harsh or anything, but I honestly believe that those who have bought the bypass valves jumped the gun before proper research was made. If you have ANY doubts…and have used the phrase, “I don’t want to worry about…” in regards of an intake, then a CAI is NOT for you. Do yourself a favor and save some money.

 

you explanation is all nice and all, but i really wanted to know if anyone out there has a cai that drives through water about 4-8 inches?

cause latley, the weather has been very bad ,a dn drainage here seems to be getting worse. so there are places with up to 8 icnhes of water. and also the hole on bottom of our cars dont help my piece of mind.

 

I would recommend selling the CAI and getting the Icebox when it comes out.

 

Then you're wasting your time looking. I doubt anyone who has installed a CAI would willingly drive through water that deep like they were in farm land. I know the weather has been bad lately, I mean come on, you don't have to remind me since we probably live no more than 20 miles apart...but I can tell you right now that I just went through some serious puddles on HW80 past the bay bridge today and it freaked the hell out of me (didn't realize they were that deep). It was probably no more than 1-2 inches in depth, but 4-8 inches? Do you realize that 8 inches would have water leaking in through the doors? 4 inches is pushing it (minimum ground clearance on stock suspention is 5.3 inches), but 8 inches...CAI or not, you won't be able to drive in water that deep.

 

If you are crossing flood streets.. then with CAI u r in trouble.

However, I am very worried that running over puddles will generate so much splash the filter's oil would be washed out...

I think a custom shield is highly recommended.