the infamous question: CAI or SRI?

[pchunggerr]

Once again I will ask what probably hundreds, if not thousands, of people asked on forums. What is a better choice? The CAI or the SRI?

From most of the information that I have gathered, i believe that the Cold Air Intake can take in colder air, thus allowing the engine to breath better oxygen. Also hear that the CAI is more for increasing power (or whatever little gain it gets) on the High RPMs and not so much for the Lows, and mids. At the expense of having a longer piping to get colder air, i heard that there is a lag in the throttle response for the CAI under around 3k RPMs.

For the Short Ram intake, i believe that its a shorter piping allowing for a better air velocity but at the same time, not being able to suck in cold air. I also hear that you get gains in the Mids, but not so much on the Highs.

So if there is any other information I am missing on this, please feel free to give your opinion on this.

[Grizam303]

After checking out the research that X has done (way too many posts to reference), I am inclined to use either stock or DIY x-intake (DIY in engine section).

The aftermarket intakes available seem to interfere with the MAF sensor, which I suspect is what causes the lag in throttle response. More importantly, x found that his car ran a lot leaner when using an aftermarket intake, but with increased power above 6500 or so. His x-intake design taps into high-end power while not messing up air fuel ratios.

The CAI has access to colder air generally, and any gains will be due to the increased air density.

That being said, I have been using an SRI the past couple months. It sounds pretty good, but I haven't taken the car to a dyno. I expect to have my custom intake (x design) made by the end of the week, otherwise I would go back to stock until I had it completed. It is my opinion that most (if not all) aftermarket intakes for the Si are not properly designed. If I had done my research before I bought the SRI, I would not have bought it.

[CronicHazel]

Originally Posted by Grizam303

That being said, I have been using an SRI the past couple months. It sounds pretty good, but I haven't taken the car to a dyno. I expect to have my custom intake (x design) made by the end of the week, otherwise I would go back to stock until I had it completed. It is my opinion that most (if not all) aftermarket intakes for the Si are not properly designed. If I had done my research before I bought the SRI, I would not have bought it.

Nicely put. Stole the words outta my mouth. =3=

[Tredd]

yea i think im going to make my own X-intake, but my reason is because of the cleaner faster flowing air due to the Apexi filter.

[trickyazn]

if you researched enough you wouldnt be making this thread..

[Grizam303]

Originally Posted by Tredd

yea i think im going to make my own X-intake, but my reason is because of the cleaner faster flowing air due to the Apexi filter.

You can use nearly any aftermarket intake (SRI or CAI) with an Apexi filter. The benefit of the x-intake design is to not jack up air/fuel ratios. Plus I think it ends up being cheaper. Plus it's always better to do something yourself, even if it's not.

[dentrecords]

Search next time please.