CAI - save your money

[likewater]

This has been a topic of debate for some time now and many believe these after market Cold Air Intake units really don't do a thing, and in fact may actually hinder performance. I've had a Strat CAI on my car for years and tonight decided to take it out and put the stock air box back in. I'm here to tell anyone that's debating this mode - save your cash. I never really felt any difference with the Strat unit (it does sound bitchin) and honestly the car now feels like it actually pulls a little harder. I now have a drop in K&N on order and I'm anxious to see what that does.

I decided to write this up for anyone that has either just picked up a new or used S4, or has one already and has been debating this mod. My opinion again is save the cash, get a K&N if anything, and put your hard earned $$$ towards a different mod.

[CaptDistraction]

what style was the strat intake? I have a pretty generic looking intake on mine, and I want to go back to stock, but the parts are as expensive as the carbonio setup.

[blur510]

You can see how it does the sunday we go out cruising.. lol

[RAudi Driver]

I just purchased a K&N drop in filter and really don't want to use it in the new car. It is for sale to anyone who needs one.

[likewater]

what style was the strat intake? I have a pretty generic looking intake on mine, and I want to go back to stock, but the parts are as expensive as the carbonio setup.

Capt, here's exactly what I had on the car. I'll clean it up and sell it to you if you want. It definitely sounds cool, but again, I'm very suspicious of any gains.

http://www.stratmosphere.com/hyperflow1.htm

[likewater]

You can see how it does the sunday we go out cruising.. lol

Yup can't wait.

[bklein8888]

K&n Ftw!

[CaptDistraction]

Capt, here's exactly what I had on the car. I'll clean it up and sell it to you if you want. It definitely sounds cool, but again, I'm very suspicious of any gains.

http://www.stratmosphere.com/hyperflow1.htm

Looks like what I have:

[likewater]

Yep same thing.

[Audiman44]

What is tha part # and where can i get the K&N for the B7 S4 TIP?

[likewater]

What is tha part # and where can i get the K&N for the B7 S4 TIP?

Part number for the B6/B7 should be 33-2209. Here's the link to K&N. I bought mine off Amazon.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/appl...x?Prod=33-2209

[Audiman44]

Thanks..Also does any one know the part number to the BMC filter for an 08 S4 tip.. And where to get it?

Thanks

[JMG]

I just purchased a K&N drop in filter and really don't want to use it in the new car. It is for sale to anyone who needs one.

Why not? Did you hear something bad about it? I'm curious to know.

[Alister]

Thanks..Also does any one know the part number to the BMC filter for an 08 S4 tip.. And where to get it?

Thanks

Part number for the BMC panel filter for V8 S4s (B6 & B7) is 279/01.

[Audiman44]

K great...thats the BMC part i ordered! :)

[91gl]

only reason i bought my gruppe m is because i loved the way it looked and it sounds great. i knew it wouldnt help with performance

[likewater]

Ok guys, I put the K&N in and man is the power band smooth now. I can't believe I've had that freakin Strat CAI in my car this long. With it, the car would surge, especially in 1st gear after sitting at a stop for a min or so. I assume that this has to do with heat building up at idle. The car has been doing this for so long that it became normal to me. I'm not sure how the Strat can actually be classified as a CAI anyway. If you look at the stock air box on these cars, they seem to actually be pretty well protected from engine heat, as opposed to the flimsy heat shield supplied with the Strat unit - not to mention the ducting from the nose of the car plugs right into the airbox again. Now due to the extremely smooth power band, the car definitely feels more powerful than it ever has. It's such a noticeable difference that I'm once again grinning from ear to ear when I mash the throttle.

I cannot comment on any of the other CAI's on the market of course, but my experience with the type that Stratmosphere offers has been negative. Again, if you're contemplating this mod at all, I highly recommend you skip it and save yourself a lot of $$. Buy a K&N or equivalent drop in filter and call it a day.

[RAudi Driver]

Why not? Did you hear something bad about it? I'm curious to know.

http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm

there's more results from other tests also.

[CaptDistraction]

anyone have a stock airbox they want to get rid of?

[BLACKa4QUAT]

i like my afe oil-less filter in my b7. washable and was 40$