Which CAI?

[RealGomer]

I have my Sky, which my wife calls the Batmobile, and with spring trying to arrive I'd like to do some upgrading. Right now it's a toss up between a CAI and a wind blocker. Anyway, I've seen at least 3 CAI out there - Kappasphere (Fujita), GM Perf Parts, and one from a Saturn Racing Team (twin intakes, stainless, etc.) I know the GMPP unit won't void the warranty and the Saturn team claims theirs won't either. Is any of these units better than another? And since my wife also won't let me near any power tools, I guess doing the dealer install route would be my best option.
Any thoughts?

[Graysky]

I just got my redline and aked the same question to some very smart people.

Here's their response:

I cant go into specifics out of respect for the companies that make the intakes but once you understand how the engine compartments are designed, its farily simple to undertand. All the little plastic pieces here and there are placed for a reason...air flow/pressure management. Even if you relocate a pipe or a component in the engine bay, it changes how pressure and air flow circulates in the engine bay. Its not all placed where its at "just to fit in there." Tests are conducted so each item places a significant role in our the engine is cooled, etc. People say "cold air intake", but how is it getting cold air? Companies have made intakes that went into the wheel wells and although they do OK on the dyno, on the road it behaves differently. We use a 70mph similuation on the dyno with the hood closed and there is a difference. The stock air box, being plastic does not hold in heat like aluminum or steel would. The box in the front is sealed off so none of the engine heat is sucked into the intake. Drop in a cone filter and now you are sucking in hot air from all over the engine bay. Don came and we dynoed his car with an aftermarket intake and he felt how hot the pipe got. You might have better flow from an aftermarket filter vs the stock drop in filter but its design in general wont be better. Sure they look cool but hey what do the GM engineers know right? They just decided to put some funky looking plastic box in there, spending tons of time and money from the parent company. What they didnt know, little companies figured out in a matter of weeks. Who would have known that all we needed was a metal pipe and a cone filter with a heat shield.
__________________
Eloy
Race Precision, Inc.
7029 Marcelle Street
Paramount, CA 90723
562-630-5966

[JohnD]

Nothing in the above post is untrue. But I will add the following.

Another factor in the stock airbox design is for noise control. I do believe there is some performance gain as the dynos show (and doesn't even GM claim that THEIR air intake will improve performance?) But it is indisputable that they do make a difference in appearance (a biggie for me) as well as sound (at least on the normally aspirated SKY in terms of a growl and on the SKY Red Lines in terms of turbo noises.)

If you want a silent car, don't go with the CAI. All of that plastic does noise insulation, too, I am sure.

When I got the KappaSphere intake fitted to my Red Line, all of a sudden it was full of turbo-noises. I could hear the spool-up. I could hear a distinct "Huff!" every time I let up on the gas as the blowoff valve opened. I could hear none of those sounds with the factory airbox.

I am sure that some people will hate those noises. My wife, for example, doesn't particularly like "the burping" as she calls it. But for me, I LOVE them. I am into the machinery, and I do like to hear it doing its thing with all the little sniffs and snorts that it emits.

One of the key factors of design has traditionally been "make sure that we don't offend anybody." And the factory airbox does that. But it doesn't exactly excite anybody, either. You need to go to an aftermarket intake for that - be it a GM Performance Part or a third party.

[Skip]

I got a standard run of the mill Sky and I hear burping and rude noises all the time in it. Of course that is just me...Skip..Literally...hehehe

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by RealGomer

I have my Sky, which my wife calls the Batmobile, and with spring trying to arrive I'd like to do some upgrading. Right now it's a toss up between a CAI and a wind blocker. Anyway, I've seen at least 3 CAI out there - Kappasphere (Fujita), GM Perf Parts, and one from a Saturn Racing Team (twin intakes, stainless, etc.) I know the GMPP unit won't void the warranty and the Saturn team claims theirs won't either. Is any of these units better than another? And since my wife also won't let me near any power tools, I guess doing the dealer install route would be my best option.
Any thoughts?

I did both-- I bought the GMPP CAI, & the dealer matched the lowest price I found on the internet from another Saturn dealer, the money I saved (over $100) I paid the dealer the 40 bucks or to install it (takes 1/2 hr if that with proper tools). Dealer installed, Saturn Part=warranty intact. I only knew of 2 versions, twins or a single intake, I think it don't matter, twins will not stuff more air the small hole anyways, buy prices are similiar, go with what you like. Also there will be a throatier sound from the exhaust when you punch it with both CAIs--(I have a 2.4L Sky)

I also purchased a WR from a site sponsor here. There are about 6 to 9 or so different types here so do your homework, lighted or not, removeable or not, etched or not, mounted in front of the seats or mounted bwt the trunk & back--My only recommendation is stay away from the OEM (skys version) they will need to drill holes in your car for that version--All other 3rd parties no holes--

[ShowMeSky]

I installed the Kappasphere CAI, after buying lil' chromies from them they sent me an e-mail for 25% off on their CAI for $224 I think it was I jumped on it and I love it. In my opinon I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in the 3 products I looked into and Kappasphere had the best price so that's what drove me to that product. I would recommend the Kappasphere CAI and a FYI they are very very easy to install I did it myself with limited tools and knowledge and did fine. The instructions were very easy to follow so if you wanted to try it yourself you might be surprised on how easy it is. If you don't mind a little more noise just the look of a CAI in the engine compartment is enough to buy one. Also it's been debated here many times about hp gains from the CAI, I could tell after the install the car felt a little quicker add the sound and the look and I think it's a home run.

[Ag94Whoop]

i would love to see someone do an independent dyno before and after the CAI in drive conditions(hood closed, engine hot and driving 35-70mph)

I have not problems buying the kit or installing it, but I have had a number of people tell me that they really hurt more than help

[TexSon]

I have never seen anything say they hurt more than help. Do they get hotter than the plastic? Unless you take a thermometer to them you can't tell, metal always feels hotter than plastic at the same temp. Anything sitting in a hot room raises to that temp. That being said, air will also flow better, as will any fluid (and air is a fluid), when it doesn't have to make a lot of turns. One thing the CAI does is get rid of a lot of turns and restrictions to airflow. I felt a performance gain and I think it sounds better than stock (I got the GM model to try to keep things OEM).

[Ag94Whoop]

I understand those issues....
but just going off what the RPI guy was saying about the Dyno tests showing improvements tend to be open hood...that closed hood the CAIs dont provide any improvement

[RealGomer]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

I did both-- I bought the GMPP CAI, & the dealer matched the lowest price I found on the internet from another Saturn dealer, the money I saved (over $100) I paid the dealer the 40 bucks or to install it (takes 1/2 hr if that with proper tools). Dealer installed, Saturn Part=warranty intact. I only knew of 2 versions, twins or a single intake, I think it don't matter, twins will not stuff more air the small hole anyways, buy prices are similiar, go with what you like. Also there will be a throatier sound from the exhaust when you punch it with both CAIs--(I have a 2.4L Sky)

I also purchased a WR from a site sponsor here. There are about 6 to 9 or so different types here so do your homework, lighted or not, removeable or not, etched or not, mounted in front of the seats or mounted bwt the trunk & back--My only recommendation is stay away from the OEM (skys version) they will need to drill holes in your car for that version--All other 3rd parties no holes--

Which dealer did you get the GMPP CAI from? A hundred buck cut is worth looking into.

[GaryH]

Originally Posted by TexSon

I have never seen anything say they hurt more than help. Do they get hotter than the plastic? Unless you take a thermometer to them you can't tell, metal always feels hotter than plastic at the same temp. Anything sitting in a hot room raises to that temp. That being said, air will also flow better, as will any fluid (and air is a fluid), when it doesn't have to make a lot of turns. One thing the CAI does is get rid of a lot of turns and restrictions to airflow. I felt a performance gain and I think it sounds better than stock (I got the GM model to try to keep things OEM).

Well, I learned something else from this forum and TexSon. For some reason I thought a fluid was liquid. Just to make sure I checked Webster's New World Dictionary. Webster's defines fluid as "a gas or liquid".

[Skip]

Originally Posted by GaryH

Well, I learned something else from this forum and TexSon. For some reason I thought a fluid was liquid. Just to make sure I checked Webster's New World Dictionary. Webster's defines fluid as "a gas or liquid".

Dang Gary this is funner than going to school...Skip..

[RickyD]

I ordered my Sky with the factory CAI. When i got it the filter looked like a K&N but it had a dust cover over it. Last week a couple of times it felt like it bogged down so I took the dust cover off and found out it was only a high perf paper filter so I went and baught a K&N and boy what a difference!!! I can feel the extra power. All of you should really change the filter if you haven't already.

[SaturnSkyDude]

I just ordered the kappasphere CAI for the Redline. I will post pics installed and my review soon !!

[Rick Tinley Park]

Just got word mine was shipped - should get it Monday.
I went GM - in my quest to stay all GM

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

Just got word mine was shipped - should get it Monday.
I went GM - in my quest to stay all GM

. .
......... Thank You ........

[SaturnSkyDude]

Originally Posted by Rick Tinley Park

Just got word mine was shipped - should get it Monday.
I went GM - in my quest to stay all GM

I would go with a GM CAI but to the best of my knowledge they do not make one for the Redline.

[Ag94Whoop]

Anyone know anything about the AEM CAIs???
They claim to be the originals and the best....made in USA as well

they also offer the tubing in several colors

[Ag94Whoop]

there seem to be a LOT of choices as well...

theres GMPP, Fujita, AEM, Injen, even heard there is a K&N....

heard good things about all of them...just not sure which is best, or if it really matters

also, there seems to be conflicting information...some people claim that the CAIs give HP gains while others are Dyno-ing a loss in power

[RPIpower]

We made an intake too. We dont sell it because there is no improvement over stock. The box used on the side does not restrict airflow as much as you guys may think. My advice would be for you guys to get to know the makers of the performance parts you put on your car. Ask questions if you dont understand something. We've been in this business a long time and have seen all kinds of bogus claims. If you have an intake and you REALLY think you got power out of it, come on by and I would be happy to do both dyno runs for the price of one. One thing that we have to remember is that new cars are not as poorly designed as they used to be. What used to work for older cars might not for new cars. I'm not pointing any one part out but just do your research guys. It goes for all cars, not just the Sky/Solstice. Those who have come by our place know that we got a bunch of brand new performance parts just sitting up on a shelf somewhere. I have several cars and none of them are stock. I'm fortunate enough to have access to a dyno so I test everything I put on our cars. Stuff that doesnt work, gets taken off and put away. New intercoolers, pullies, intakes, exhausts, you name it. Heck, there was a cam company that told us to try their cams, claiming 26whp. We dynoed the car, installed the cames, dynoed again and we had a loss in power.

What makes the aftermarket intakes for the sky a "cold air intake"? Where is it getting the cold air from? Is the air pressurized? What is the intake filter element made of? Maybe the filter allows more air flow, but how is its filtering capability? What happens when aluminum or steel pipes get heat soaked?