I have heard so many of you guys talk about CAI. I know that it stands for Cold Air Intake but what exactly does it do? Does it increase horsepower too? Is it worth getting it and how much does it cost?

Thanks!

 

I'm not so good at explaining these things, but to put it in English, the cooler an engine runs, the better it performs. The stock box was restricting air.. The CAI is an open element filter, meaning it's in the direct aim of cold air, so the engine would perform better with CAI. HP is increased a little as well. BUT with an open element filter, you are also making the engine noisier at higher RPS, and at WOT(Wide open Throttle) because the insulation that stock airbox had to muffle the engine sounds is eliminated...Anyone else care to agree/disagree/comment/add-on, feel free!
Ed

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Acura-TL.com - Forum Moderator

'99 TL Satin Silver/Ebony, Non/Nav, Comptech lowered, Comptech Air Filter Element, Inspire Tails, AEM Brake Pads all around, Comptech Axle Back Exhaust, "Guy Smiley" doll on the dash as my Co-driver...

Pics of my TL
Pics of my Miata! Wadya think?

 

Basically, stock filter is ristricting air going into the engine. Fuel burns better with more oxygen. By sending more air to the engine by replacing the restrictive stock filter with an high flow after market filter will just do that job. In addition, engine performs better if the air that burns is cooler. CAI is designed so that it scoops up the air from outside the engine bay where the air is cooler.

And yes, it will be louder especially at higher RPM (not RPS).

 

How loud is it and at what RPM does it start?

 

Stock sound up to 3000 RPMs then it starts to growl, by WOT (wide open throttle) it sounds great!