just wondering what you guys think about cold air intakes, im not really looking for performance here but rather the sound. is there any way they could be harmfull to the engine besides gettting watter sucked in... (more dirt maybe... )

im really new to those things.... - a little deeper sound would be nice...

anyways just intrested what you really think about it .

 

Same, I don't think it'll do much of anythin in the performance dept...I just want adeeper sound, not a ricey sound, but deeper and I'll get one...I am def concerned about the dirt and such however...

are they pretty easy to install?
Thanks

 

install is easy...on the k&n ive noticed an off and on whistle depending on throttle engagement...when its full throttle there is a deeper sound to the engine.

 

install was a peice of cake... the only trouble was getting my not-so-small hands in the little places where there are random bolts!! but it was pretty easy. i didnt take off the front bumber, i just took out my front DS wheel, and then pulled back the wall of the wheel well.

As for dirt and water and rocks: it is REALLY tucked up in there... its practically inside the bumper, it isnt directly exposed to the ground or anything, its well protected.. i had that same worry, and since its a one peice CAI... you cant really use the AEM bypass valve.. but ive had it on for a few months now, and i have no problems.

Sound increases A LOT... once you hit 3g... it sounds like a completely different car. There is a little bit of whistling.. but its not a bad sound... i kinda like it.. it accents the roar of the intake

 

Was there any associated performance improvement/loss? My experience has been a loss in low end torque (which this car lacks significantly already) with a mild increase on the upper end of the RPM band.

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

 

I didnt really notice any gains or losses...the TL already moved pretty well up hills and long grades so there wasnt much to be gained there...6th still is a dog unless you are above 3 grand. I've had the cold air on my TL for so long now that I can't remember what it was like before.

 

that says it all.