Another custom CAI

**TFSI** · 10-09-2010 03:20 PM

so here it is finally!!
I decided to put some parts together and make some cold air intake (sort of)

.
Thanks to digitalAUDI and GSG for illustrations.
turbo spooling and woosh sound is a lot louder than just the pipe and filter. Also, feels better too :)
Before:

After

Do you guys think the rain will get in there? it's little lower than GSG's intake position.
Comments are welcome!

**Swerve** · 10-09-2010 03:30 PM

Looks good. What width piping did you use? Just a thought about rain water, you ever think of purchasing a bypass valve from AEM? They have a number of sizes and cost about $50.

http://www.aemonly.com/bypass-valves...d003b96271f508

**TFSI** · 10-09-2010 03:37 PM

i used 2.75
yeah, i'm looking at the product

**EMAXX** · 10-09-2010 03:40 PM

The only thing I'm thinking about is, do you have to pull the bumper off to clean the filter, or can you pull it up from the top?

**TFSI** · 10-09-2010 03:48 PM

if the filter is small, you can do it from the top but mine can't go through.
I guess I have to take off the bumper everytime I clean the filter :(

**EMAXX** · 10-09-2010 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by TFSI

if the filter is small, you can do it from the top but mine can't go through.
I guess I have to take off the bumper everytime I clean the filter :(

My Nissan Maxima was like that. Had to take the wheel off, the wheel lining, and loosen the bumper just to get in there. It was a pain, but I still cleaned the filter regularly.

Is there really a noticeable difference by moving it down to the "cooler" air?

**ElectroMike** · 10-09-2010 04:48 PM

IMO, don't leave it so low, I had a VW and did something similar, about the same hight, one day there was some flooding on the highway on my way to work, all cars made it, I hydrolocked. New engine later, lesson learned.

That AEM bypass is not reliable, google some reviews, it may not work as well as one may think.

The work looks great though!

**rs182** · 10-09-2010 05:32 PM

Great idea man, exactly what I plan on doing. Perfect place for an intake once the stock side mounts are removed. Do you happen to know the specific measurements for the tubing you used?

**TFSI** · 10-09-2010 05:54 PM

Aren't there some bag that covers the filters so when it rains, the water can't go through the bag?
Just curious

**jimrobbington** · 10-09-2010 07:03 PM

I want a real CAI so bad. Anyone who has only modded this car has no idea their actual gains. I had a true CAI on my jetta, and it was loud as shit. It was in the same place as this, but there wasn't shit in the way, and you could get to the filter through the wheel well if you removed the wheel. I had a K and N oiled filter, and drove through many a rain and snow storm, never had any problems whatsoever. I don't know if a dry filter is as good at filtering water. It would be a total bitch to remove the bumper every time you had to even check the filter. Turbo lag decreases, and throttle response are definately noticeable with a REAL CAI

**eskimopunk** · 10-09-2010 07:52 PM

That looks awesome, nice work dude. I would be worried about the water like others said, but only if there's a flood, or if you got snow packed real tight so that air might not even get there.

**makav3li** · 10-09-2010 08:21 PM

looks good man, impressed. But isn't a cai not that necessary if u have a fmic? The fmic does a good job of keeping the intake air as cool as possible?

**TFSI** · 10-09-2010 09:20 PM

I was thinking about the same thing, but I wasn't sure about how the turbocharger works in this car exactly so I just did it.

**Timkl25** · 10-09-2010 11:26 PM

Looks great, do you have a list of parts that you used? DIY maybe, if that is not too much to ask, since it looks great, functional, and worth the $$$

**Leo14** · 10-10-2010 10:00 AM

Makes me want to do something like this, looks amazing.. IMO I don't think you'll run into any problems unless you go through huge puddles/snow banks.

**TFSI** · 10-10-2010 11:47 AM

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.. hope it never happens

**Q-NIC** · 10-10-2010 12:07 PM

Nice job with the piping...just not something for the finnish winters =(

**signalbobby** · 10-10-2010 01:18 PM

Do you notice a difference?

**digitalAUDI** · 10-11-2010 09:45 AM

hey TFSI, looks good. There are some "bags" you can get, K&N, INJEN, AEM etc. makes them, they are called Hydroshields. They don't prevent large amounts of water from puddles or what not to get sucked in, but its piece of mind for rainy days.

If you get a filter thats to big to fit through the spot where TFSI has his filter, than yes, you'd have to remove the bumper each time. THe K&N filter I'm using just fits through, so I can pull it from the top to clean it up. If anyone wants to make their won CAI, i would suggest getting a filter that fits that area.

I wouldn't get the AEM bypass valve, i've read that whereas it may prevent hydrolock, it also blocks a bit of air flow. Getting an oiled filter would probably be better than a non-oiled one because the oil helps keep water out. Yeah you might get some of the oil on the MAF sensor, but would you prefer replacing the MAF or the whole engine...? Just avoid large puddles if you can, even in traffic. If you can see the water level with the other cars and you know your filter will be submerged, why would you go through? worst case scenario, with this setup CAI using the 2 pipes, you remove the lower one and change it to a short ram real quick.

I've driven mine through heavy rain and whereas the filter does get damp, the car runs fine, I can push it in the rain and she pulls just as well as if it were dry out.

TFSI, I don't know if you've noticed any gains besides the louder whoosh and spooling, but IMO, and my butt dyno tells me she pulls alot stronger with this setup. Yeah, their may not be substantial hp gains, but isn't response just as important as power?

Let us know what you think so we can finally put an end to the notion that the stock box is the best setup for this car which IMO, is not.... but that's just me...

**psiaddict85** · 10-11-2010 10:11 AM

I wish it was possible with the side mounts in place.... but that's not gonna happen!

**Quattro** · 10-11-2010 10:56 AM

looks great, not sure how much lower your cai is as opposed to mine, but to be honest I have never had any problems with mine and rain.

ill throw this out there though, being in CA and not dealing with a lot of rain + flood could be one factor. I can honestly say though, the puddle you would have to go over (with the GSG one) is about the distance from ground to fmic....

I wouldnt recommend going over any puddles that high anyway, I would just make a u-turn.

**digitalAUDI** · 10-11-2010 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Quattro

looks great, not sure how much lower your cai is as opposed to mine, but to be honest I have never had any problems with mine and rain.

ill throw this out there though, being in CA and not dealing with a lot of rain + flood could be one factor. I can honestly say though, the puddle you would have to go over (with the GSG one) is about the distance from ground to fmic....

I wouldnt recommend going over any puddles that high anyway, I would just make a u-turn.

I agree. Aside from puddles, it works fine...

**TFSI** · 10-11-2010 08:07 PM

As far as for the performance, yeah,, butt dyno feels better than stock box.
I just bought the hydroshield from injen for engine insurance :)
I don't mind taking off the bumper since I've done it so much, it's just 5 minute work.
Today it rained a little, I was little afraid but it was fine.

Quattro, I've compared picture of yours and mine. Mine is lower by about 2 inches. Your filter tucks in some bar but my whole filter sticks out. Just waiting for the bag to cover.

**digitalAUDI** · 10-12-2010 09:32 AM

I believe mine tucks in like QUATTRO's and works fine in rain. I've driven it in heavy down pores and the car ran fine. No hiccups or anything of the sort. The filter did get wet, or damp, but no issues.

**crazytex21** · 10-12-2010 09:38 AM

i don't think the AEM bypass valves are for FI engines. i am pretty sure they have a disclaimer in the product info on their site. i looked into it a while back.

**grassrootz** · 10-12-2010 11:56 AM

So ultimately we cannot build one with SMIC's still installed? Or is it possible to route around them with smaller pipe? or tuck it higher, albeit warmer air?

**Charles** · 10-12-2010 12:25 PM

Rain isn't going to be a problem. I have a completely exposed K&N on my Harley and I've gotten caught in downpours with no issues. Traversing flooded areas would be another story. As long as it's not submerged, you'll be fine. Also, those socks basically nullify the point of the filter. They lower HP.

Honestly, I don't think what you did is necessary. A setup like you had before, with a good heatshield, should produce identical results to your current setup.

**digitalAUDI** · 10-12-2010 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by grassrootz

So ultimately we cannot build one with SMIC's still installed? Or is it possible to route around them with smaller pipe? or tuck it higher, albeit warmer air?

Your only option with the side mounts is the setup TFSI was running before he made his CAI. There is just no room to run pipes anywhere else.

Originally Posted by Charles

Rain isn't going to be a problem. I have a completely exposed K&N on my Harley and I've gotten caught in downpours with no issues. Traversing flooded areas would be another story. As long as it's not submerged, you'll be fine. Also, those socks basically nullify the point of the filter. They lower HP.

Honestly, I don't think what you did is necessary. A setup like you had before, with a good heatshield, should produce identical results to your current setup.

How it the setup he had before produce the same results if what he has now is getting hit directly with air rather than waiting for the air to reach it? Besides, in that location, it also sucks in less hot air produced by the turbo...

**Charles** · 10-12-2010 03:19 PM

There is a stock "snorkel" that brings in fresh air, right on top of the filter. As for the turbo heat, what do you think the heatshield is for?

In addition to that, it's been proven, time and time again, that the stock airbox allows almost the same HP (as in maybe 1-2 HP differences) numbers as an open air element.

**deeznuts** · 10-12-2010 03:31 PM

For those who have an intake and not running this similar CAI...what i did is make a heat sheild to block off some of the heat generated from my turbo, and wrapped my test pipe in exhaust wrap....this helped significantly in my opinion...i am going to fabricate a similar setup to run a real CAI like this but probably not going to do it until the spring time...one less thing to worry about in the snow....

I am also a strong beleiver that one should never clean and re-use a filter...maybe its just me but i think that once the filter is dirty it should just be replaced...its a cheap enough piece that IMO shouldnt be cleaned and reused.

Also-question...the guys running oiled filters...where is a good place to buy an oiled filter..

**Sprode** · 10-12-2010 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Charles

There is a stock "snorkel" that brings in fresh air, right on top of the filter. As for the turbo heat, what do you think the heatshield is for?

In addition to that, it's been proven, time and time again, that the stock airbox allows almost the same HP (as in maybe 1-2 HP differences) numbers as an open air element.

This was my impression, but I did not have any evidence so I kept my mouth shut. I don't see how it would improve response, while a small hp gain is possible.

**deeznuts** · 10-12-2010 06:27 PM

as per this forum and my sudden urge to get more cold air...i just went to autozone and bought the 'snorkel-ish' type of accordian/adjustable hose, and fed it from right behind the passenger side fog grill, to the bottom part of my air filter- so now i have cold air coming from the top left stock air dam, and the bottom of the filter...i did some heavy driving and accelleration the last hour or so to test it out..and accompanied with my ghetto ass heat shield, the filter remains alot cooler than it did before...not as good as sticking the filter down in the bumper but a step closer id say.
i paid 20 dollars for the 'snorkel' tube, and took me 10 minutes to figure out where to feed it (away from the turbo obviously) and shove it into place.

**makav3li** · 10-12-2010 08:46 PM

pics?

**deeznuts** · 10-12-2010 08:54 PM

[IMG]

**TFSI** · 10-12-2010 09:18 PM

again?

**eskimopunk** · 10-13-2010 12:04 AM

Why are you trying to show an image through... Gmail? The fuck is going through your head lol?

**digitalAUDI** · 10-13-2010 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Charles

There is a stock "snorkel" that brings in fresh air, right on top of the filter. As for the turbo heat, what do you think the heatshield is for?

In addition to that, it's been proven, time and time again, that the stock airbox allows almost the same HP (as in maybe 1-2 HP differences) numbers as an open air element.

Everyone that has said that the stock air box is the best has yet to report any facts of the matter. They all just say its better but do explain as to why.

I actually tested both the stock box vs cold air intake on the 1/4 mile and saw the difference on paper. Using the stock air box, I was running 2/10 second slower than when I used the cone filter, and was with a setup similar to what TFSI was running before with my own makeshift heatshield and what not. I have yet to run the 1/4 with my CAI setup now, but am planning on doing so by the end of this month...

and I know what the hell a heatshield does, but depending on how it is made, hot air can still get around it from what I have read on other threads...

**eskimopunk** · 10-13-2010 11:13 AM

^ Uh honestly, if you're manual, then 2/10'ths is most likely you just driving a little better. Not to mention environmental changes that affect the car.

**digitalAUDI** · 10-13-2010 11:41 AM

you know what, whatever, doesn't matter. Like it if you do, makes a difference, it doesnt make a difference, who the hell cares. All everybody knows how to do on this forum is argue about everything anyway. I'm done with this thread.