SRI preferences over CAI
 

Over the years I have always been a strong CAI fan rather then a SRI fan. Just not really liking the fact of sucking in hot engine air. Why are people going to the SRI's nowadays instead of getting CAI's when in fact they run better. Yea its more expensive and really only has a 10-20 temperature change and also is not as easy to put on/take off... but still just been wondering why most people prefer SRI's nowadays.

Plan on getting the CP-E CAI.

I had a sri, but switched to the cpe cai when my intake air temp was getting kind of crazy. Donate, and hit up streetunitmark for a good deal on the cpe cai.

SRI all the way. Temperature difference is negligible, it's cheaper, it's easier to take off, not worries about hydrolocking.

Yea had a friend that had a SRI and he said in 3rd and 4th gear it was running horribly because of the heat.

Where do you live?

Add Meth.

Guessing a big reason is hydrolock for people who DD the car in climates that can see a lot of standing water.

Personally, I'd do a SRI with heatshield on a daily and on a purely summer/weekend car, CAI.

With the cpe cai, you would have to drive through atleast 2 feet of water to submerge the filter, Im not worried at all.

I had a focus with a cai that was literally 6-10inches off the ground and never had an issue.

@sellers

that nig nog can't hear you.

blue no shims.

L2 search

Blue filter in engine bay looks more fancier.

YOUR RIGHT!

man....your right....i would hate to have all that HOT air go into my turbo which will make it SUBSTANTIALLY HOTTER.....then it has to go through my intercooler which will make it SIGNIFICANTLY COOLER......good thing i save all 2 degrees with my CAI instead of my SRI.....i mean hey it is not like i have a bunch of loss due to friction or anything right?....right?....not to mention having my air run through stupid long lengths of aluminum tubing that is just as hot as the engine bay!


listen fool you sound like you are coming form the N/A world.....readmorebro

there is really no benefit of one or the other....two tools to do the same job...many go SRI because of the simplicity and cost

LOL gendone owners :rocketwhore:

Coming from a stock pu :/

But I agree, thread = fail...especially when there are 50 million copies

Test time: Drive through a rain storm (or puddle), pull over, open the hood and look at all the water in the engine compartment just behind the driver side fog light.

I'm a big fan of not having a water logged air filter....just sayin'

Honestly at this point I'm considering a cold air box or even a CAI. It was 105 today and I was seeing intake temps of 145. FMIC did it's job and kept the BAT's in the same area... but honestly... that sucks ass.

Thats exactly what I was experiencing, 130-150* IATs. I switched to the cpe cai, IAT stays at ambient most of the time, it only heats up alot if I'm stopped for a while, and then drops pretty quickly back down to ambient.

Lol I just like talkin shit.

I live in Springfield, VA and the weather here is retarded. Its freezing cold in the winter (between 5-15 degrees) and burning hot in the summer (between 90-110). Humidy is really really bad here too so thats why the CAI really helps out alot here.

Im gonna stick with the CAI just cause of the pros. The seals where the wheel well are prevent water from coming in, unless its like flooding or something of that caliper.

This isnt my first speed 3 and this is my 3rd turbod car I have owned (07 Speed3, 09 Cobalt SS TC, and now own a 08 Speed3). Im just a noob cause I am 20 and Im still learning the different specs in the engine. I know basics just not the advanced stuff.

do tell happened to the rest of your cars.............................................. .....boom boom?

I have just cut a hole in the hood and routed the tip straight out through it and done away with the filter. Super cool air and increased airflow, winning!!

Just buy whatever is on sale :danems6:

It's personal preferences. I for one went for short ram because it's going to be cooled by the intercooler anyways. You won't run the risk of hydrolocking. Sure the chance of hydrolocking is low. It's when your car hydrolock that you'll regret getting a cold air.

Had cold air on my previous car. Find it bothersome having to take out the bottom tray to clean the filter.

If you have a FMIC and a Gen1, get a short ram. Why? there are 2 scoops that scoop air up to the top mount, remove the right one, pop out the plastic that block air from going through the intake. a wa la..

Before taking that scoop out. it was 20-30 degrees IAT above ambient. After removing the right scoop and that plastic.. my IAT is 2-7 above ambient. And if I'm going fast enough (50 ish, the IAT is ambient temperature.

I went cai because I live in the desert every little bit helps. Don't let these fools tell you (1) "oh well the turbo heats it up anyways" or (2) "oh i haz intercooler"

(1) Turbo heats up air proportionally. Look up compressor equations, cooler air in, cooler air out.

(2) Your telling me your intercooler is 100% efficient?

And yes hydrolocking is an issue, but I live in the desert. WTF is water?

No but I consider 20 above ambient is pretty good, considering that my coolant line is still on the throttle body and I didnt get to heat wrap my cold pipe yet. One of the coolant line is close to touching the cold pipe.

Also like I said, with my FMIC, i get to remove the scoop on teh right side, and remove the plastic that is blocking the hole. which reduced the IAT to nearly Ambient once the car gets moving.

I had an AEM CAI and after hitting a puddle and it getting soaked, not being able to drive over 25 mph till it dried. I went SRI. I feel way more secure with it. Like the way your mom tucks you in at night. mmmm....safe

Damn good thing I read this thread lol was about to buy a CAI but I'm switching to the SRI now.

Yea man I got a ms Cai and for some reason seense I got it it haven't stopped raining! But like everyone I gotta get to work, so I put on a hydra shield from injen and shift before 3000rpm. It's been doing just fine, so do what I do and you should be just fine. Also installing it izent hard I did it my self. Good luck!