Guys, how low is the AEM CAI. My area gets flooded a lot and it is a usual occurance for the water to almost reach bottom of my doors. (Yes I try to park in the highest part of the block however parking spaces are of a premium in my area)

Also is the CAI covered from underneath the car so if I drive through a decent size puddle will it suck in enough water to damage the engine?

Thanks

 

Here is pics of my 2006 TL with AEM CAI (dryflow filter). The car is Not Aspec, or otherwise lowered. If anything, my car is slightly higher because of the "TL Diet".

 

^Damn, you have a pic for everything, don't ya, one can't do better than that, one pic is worth a thou of words. From now on if I need a pic of any TL component, I'll be asking you. Mad props!

The filter is huge and does seat low, leans against a bumper too! It does help that the AEM oil free syn material is water repellent so I never had a problem with wet filter, knock on wood...

 

If you live in an area wher water comes up to your door do not take the chance with the CAI. You will not suck up water unless you submerge the filter and therefore the front bumper in water but water up to the doors is pretty close and IMO isn't worth the risk. To be honest, though, your stock intake could suck up water too if you go through a deep enough flooded area.

 

Great pic's. Thank you.

Also thanks for the advice. I have sent greddy money for the group buy exhaust and It's going to be almost impossible to say no to the CAI + catback combo. Man, really hard choice with the CAI.

 

if u know there is any chance of hydrolock u shouldn't get the cai. if u do hydrolock and your dealer says it's your fault cus of the mod you're screwed if u can't pump the water out of the engine yourself or have a mechanic do it after removing the spark plugs and cranking the engine to see if the engine will spit the water out.

excelerate is a great vendor, offering you real advice instead of trying to make a sale. the chance of hydrolock is low, i mean u gotta be pretty dumb to drive through a huge puddle while it's raining hard, but it's still a possibility.

oh btw, they do make water filters for the cai's. i forget which manufacturer it is but i can't look it up right now cus i'm at work

 

INJEN makes a "pre-filter" supposedly it is said it repells water and further prevents dust and other particles from being sucked in, they also make a shield which I would think blocks off air flow but they've got it

 

Yea, but that's not going to prevent water being sucked in if its submerged. Injen actually makes a bypass that goes between the two pieces of the CAI. So if water gets sucked in, it gets ejected before it hits the TB.

 

Aren't the AEM CAI's stock with DRYFLOW filters? I could have sworn they were.

 

Whats considered poor weather to be driving in? Snow, ice, rain etc.? Was thinking of getting a CAI, but got scared when I read somewhere that it may have to be taken off during poor weather. Or is that just the manufacturer's discalimer.

Thanks

 

Yea, they are...point?

Its still a filter. Dry or lubed up with oil, its still going to suck up water if its submerged.

 

OK, so it's OK for the CAI to get submerged in water as long as the car is not running correct? So if my car gets flooded while it is parked and then the water drains out, it will be OK?

Marek

 

You got it. As long as the water level does not go above the throttle body. But, the car would be totaled by then with flood waters up to the steering wheel.

 

are those screws or those dam plastic tabs?
What is a good tool to remove the plastic tabs that look like thumb tacks?

 

Yep, those are the plastic fasteners (rivets). I use a small flat head screwdriver (1/8 inch wide blade) to dig into the recessed slot around the circumference. Then pry the center post outward enough to grap with my finger. For the tough ones, I use the small screw driver as mentioned to get it started, but then use a regular size screwdriver to pry the center post out the rest of the way.