CAI or Short Ram Intake
Wayne Cox
wmc_sr20@bellsouth.net
Fri, 20 Jun 2003 17:39:49 -0500
At 04:01 PM 6/20/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>An AEM CAI, though most expensive, is the best beginner upgrade you can
>make. CAIs gain power vs. stock not only because the pipes are smoother
>and the intake air temps are reduced, but also because the length of the
>pipe is tuned. The air inside the pipes has a resonant property that
>literally forces air through the MAF and TB at specific points in the RPM
This really kick arse article I found was posted on se-r.net way back
when: http://www.se-r.net/faq/articles/head.tech.html
and explains some of the physics at play very well.
In general, a long-tube intake creates more torque at lower rpms; A
short-runner setup gives better top rpm torque, hp, and throttle
response. Though there are a lot more variables than just intake
length. You've probably noticed in the car mags & such, many of the
high-end import manufacturers have engines with variable intake runners?
For a street car, the CAI is probably the better setup.
-Wayne '91 NX2k - '93 NK2k - '93 SE-R - '92 SE-R parts car