I searched and read some threads but didn't find this question addressed. I did see somewhere in a thread an answer of sorts but couldn't find it exactly.

Will installing a cold air intake like a K & N damage the 3G motor? Or as an alternative just use an upgraded filter in the stock air box?

 

Ive heard bad things about k&n filters, get a AEM CAI. alot of members have those. Im gonna go the cheap route and delete my intake resonator since I already bought an AFE dry flow drop in filter.

 

My opinion , I don't think a cold air intake will damage you car unless it sucks water. I am using for 4 days a costume 4" intake and that is because I am using 3.7 intake manifold and tb.

 

You are worry because the filter is oil base? There is a thread that compares both of them (oil vs dry).

 

As long as you don't submerge the car in deep water and have a decent enough filter a CAI will not hurt your car. Some people don't like oiled filters (K&N) but I've never had an issue as long as you don't over oil it. Even if you did over oil it a bit we don't have a MAF or any sensors in the way that it could effect, on cars with a MAF sometimes the oil coats it and it doesn't read right (easy enough to clean).

 

A bad filter will allow small particles into your engine and can be a bad thing.

 

No it will not. The only way you could damage your motor is you drove through 3 ft of water and submerged the filter in water.

 

After 15 years of professional racing, I have never heard of an air filter ruining a motor unless you suck in water - in which case it doesn't really mater what kind of filter you have. AEM is good, but so is K&N (Most major sanctioned race series use K&N filters). So pop in that air filter, enjoy the sound and 2-5 hp boost!

 

I've had my CAI filter waterlogged with water dripping off the filter. I was cautious but I never had a problem.

I ended up removing the filter just to be safe.

 

AEM CAI probably a better choice, most 3g owners have it so if anything is wrong with it you can get it fixed in no time on azine

 

Just installed AEM CAI the other night. Easy install and works great

 

you get the regular AEM or the AEM V2?

 

Not v2

 

gotcha have you noticed the growl yet that they are suppose to create?

 

Let me tell you, it makes the car sound so much sexier. It already sounded good but it was like a finishing touch. I tried taking a video of it after install but it came out crappy since the garage door was open (obviously) and it was pouring.

 

It won't harm the engine short of hydrolocking which requires most of the filter to be submerged and an open throttle.

One thing I will say is the air filter is the most important filter on the car. If I had to choose, I would run with no oil filter before I would run with no air filter. If you're looking to keep the TL forever you may want to stick with a stock filter. These aftermarket filters won't have much of an effect on wear in 100,000 or more but eventually most of them will cause accelerated cylinder and ring wear. The car will likely go to the junkyard before this ever becomes a problem.

Location plays a role. Where I live the air is dirty and dusty and can get very dusty with a little wind. Some people live in areas that are so clean that you could probably run with no filter and be fine.

I ran a K&N filter in my turbo car for many years because there wasn't another brand that would flow the air requried. I always noticed compressor wheel abrasion, the "blades" were dulled. Some upper cylinder wear. When Amsoil came out with their EAO line of air and oil filters the compressor abrasion and some of the upper cylinder wear went away. This is in an area with lots of dust.

You've got to ask yourselves why would you put a higher flow filter on a car that comes with an airfilter that outflows the engine. No gains for slightly dirtier air. If the TL is highly modded and flowing more air than stock you might benefit from a high flow filter. The engineers are not going to leave any hp on the table due to air intake tract restrictions.

A CAI is good. Cooler air will make more power and will help limit detonation. The stock system is already a semi-cold air induction but I'm sure an aftermarket CAI is better. I don't believe most of the hp claims though. Most cars are dyno'd with the hood up which gives the same charge air temps whether you're stock or you have a CAI. If the car is dyno'd with the hood down the non cold air setup is at an unfair disadvantage because how many times have you ever gone full throttle with the car standing still the whole time and no airflow?

There is no tuning involved contrary to popular belief. All you need is a pipe that brings in cool air (anywhere but the engine bay) and is large enough to not be a restriction. That's it. Any induction tuning is done after the throttlebody in the plenum and runners. There's just no difference where the air comes from as long as it's out of the engine bay. Behind the grill, in the fender well, on the hood, doesn't matter, the temp will be about the same. There's also no reason to have the filter outside of the engine bay.

 

haha awesome! at least you tried, ill give you an A for effort!

 

The whistling sound while its sucking in the air is like a tease. I hear that and want to throw a turbo on her just for the hell of it LOL.

 

haha gotta love the whistle! I cant decide what i wanna do. i may just delete the intake resonator and go that route since its free for now.

 

Did you make a decision by now? Curious to see what you chose and as to why.