Hey folks

I want to get a CAI installed in my VRX. I don't want to do it myself since I don't know how to do it and fear that I might **** the car up. I'm in Melbourne S.E suburbs. Does anyone know a good reliable place to get a CAI fitted and Installed thats not too expensive?

You can't fk anything up and you wont feel any gains either. You pull the snorkel off the airbox and get some crappy pipe and run it to where ever you decide is better, preferably a place that will suck up water, grass, rocks, small children etc.

Just be careful. Mine sucked a school bus into it once and it was a real **** to get out.

Ok Thanks for the replies but i really need to get some constructive comments. I've heard that a good CAI setup can generate up to 5-6kws. I just need a good place that will do it for me. Or anyone whose done it to their 3rd gens are welcome to do it for me. Will pay required amount.

cheers

Ok Thanks for the replies but i really need to get some constructive comments. I've heard that a good CAI setup can generate up to 5-6kws. I just need a good place that will do it for me. Or anyone whose done it to their 3rd gens are welcome to do it for me. Will pay required amount.

cheers

My car can do the quarter mile in 12 seconds stock..... provided that its down a hill, with a rolling start and maybe some sort of rocket booster. lol

Unless you know for a fact that the problem is hot air in your intake, a CAI is next to useless. You won't even see 1/80000th of a kW gain. If however you have a twin-turbo with larger injectors, etc, then a CAI is a good idea.

My car can do the quarter mile in 12 seconds stock..... provided that its down a hill, with a rolling start and maybe some sort of rocket booster. lol

Unless you know for a fact that the problem is hot air in your intake, a CAI is next to useless. You won't even see 1/80000th of a kW gain. If however you have a twin-turbo with larger injectors, etc, then a CAI is a good idea.


So all those members who have a Cold Ait Intake have wasted time and money. And they have not noticed better engine response/acceleration or any sort of gain. Is that what you are trying to say?

So all those members who have a Cold Ait Intake have wasted time and money. And they have not noticed better engine response/acceleration or any sort of gain. Is that what you are trying to say?


yes, i have a opened up factory snorkel with cai pipe feeding into it from the bottom and i'd gladly swap it for a stock intake...

i have noticed no change at all, although i'm supercharged so the pump might have something to do with that there, on a n/a it might be different... although a modded 163kw car with intake and exhaust mods put down the same power at the wheels as a unmodified car does at a recent dyno day...


and just for future reference the factory snorkel is cai

So all those members who have a Cold Ait Intake have wasted time and money. And they have not noticed better engine response/acceleration or any sort of gain. Is that what you are trying to say?

They have noticed a change. But this change is immeasurable as a dyno will not produce the results as the car is not moving.

I have had 3 different intakes on my 3rd Gen - stock, pipe to below car, NZ CAI.

Stock - Fine.

Pipe to below Car - Bastard, had to clean air filter so often it was not funny, found all sorts of crap in airbox - rocks, leaves, about a cupful of sand on one occasion. Made very little if any difference to the performance, nothing noticeable.

NZ CAI - bought this from www.emtechautomotive.com.au , best to email them as I dont believe they have them on their website. This is a clone of the unit fitted to TJ onwards VRX models in New Zealand, apparently Mitsu did some research and this one came up with the goods, apparently 8kW, it replaces your stock snorkel with one that is curved to behind the passenger headlight instead of drawing air over the hot radiator. I havent noticed massive gains from this either, but it does have some benefits such as being less bulky and generally less ghetto looking that a DIY CAI, car seems to be a little smoother, but nothing worth writing home about. If you are after a no nonsense CAI that only takes ~15 mins to install (one nut and a bit of squeezing to get it into position) then this is definitely the way to go.

In summary, no CAI is gonna make your car a dragster, but of the 3 I have used, the NZ CAI wins simply because of its simplicity and because I *believe* it made my car a little smoother (but then again maybe anything would have helped after the monstrosity CAI I was running previously).

Hope it helps.

Thank You. Helps a lot. The FAQ 3rd Gen says that one could achieve 5-6kws gain with CAI but it is misleading. That is why I wanted to get it. Anyone with a different story/opinion please post, otherwise I take it that CAI in stock 3rd gen magna is pretty much useless

I don't think you will achieve much with the stock air filter.

My only criticism of the stock inlet is that its sucking air against a rubber gasket that goes around the edge of the bonnet. Other than that its in the best place for positive air pressure. Yes the stock item is a CAI....just that its not cool to call something stock a CAI.

If you have a pod filter however, you really do need a podbox and a CAI to not suck in hot engine bay air.

Do a lil test on a hot day and feel the ambient temp at about 10cm above the ashpalt where your supposed CAI piping would be taking air from. Then feel the ambient about 50cm up where the stock CAI sucks from. if your sucking air from down low close the ground on a hot day, u might as well suck it from the engine bay.

Something that may be of benefit would be to widen the existing CAI by 50% or something and removing the rubber. I've always meant to do this but never got around to it.

vrx comes stock with a cai

vrx comes stock with a cai
they do? lol says who?

it just comes with a stock snorkal man. got a pic of this stock CAI?

and adcha1 the most you "might" feel is the car would be a tad more responsive or rev better but dont think so there will be power gain.

yeh mate forget the CAI they are worthless!!

in some cases you may see half a KW but thats it lol save the time and effort!!

ok thanks all. No CAI. What else can i 'invest' in. Mandrel Bent pipes???!!

The stock exhaust is already a good bit of kit (very close to 2.5"), and no doubt the best gains are from a high flow muffler like the VRX already has. Redoing the piping would only really benefit those with forced induction or highly worked engines.

Perhaps save your biccies for extractors. Then the next step then would be some cams and piggyback ecu.

I think there might be a wiki about this somewhere..

they do? lol says who?

it just comes with a stock snorkal man. got a pic of this stock CAI?

and adcha1 the most you "might" feel is the car would be a tad more responsive or rev better but dont think so there will be power gain.

Snorkel = Cold Air Intake.

The snorkel takes an intake of cold air externally and not from the hot engine bay. All CAI kits do are generally make the snorkel bigger and/or move the filter to give a better flow

Let the guy have has fun bonding with his car and don't be a bunch of sarcastic pricks. These small mods at least make it sound different and get one familiar with the car. Who can say they didn't start out this way. Looking for small gains then graduating onto other mods.

Let the guy have has fun bonding with his car and don't be a bunch of sarcastic pricks. These small mods at least make it sound different and get one familiar with the car. Who can say they didn't start out this way. Looking for small gains then graduating onto other mods.





:stoopid: heres a pic from me old ralliart

It's not hard to do yourself, but get a oval pod and do a full CAI like this:http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45486
It's rev's easier and sounds ORSM.:D

Thanks but don't think i'll be doing a CAI

Snorkel = Cold Air Intake.

The snorkel takes an intake of cold air externally and not from the hot engine bay. All CAI kits do are generally make the snorkel bigger and/or move the filter to give a better flow

I have been saying the same for years, I laughed at the commodores putting this CAI for 600bucks and claiming 10kw, maybe this is true cos it was only sucking in hot air from engine bay... when I told em I have cai already they laughed... I showed em n they remarked some crap like "well this is holden workman ship they know what they r doin so I'll pay the 600bucks"..... ahhhhhh faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrkkkkkkkk.... all it does is suck in ordinary air which is hammered in by vehicle movement...

I hear comments like revs a lot easier, no flat spots, quicker acceleration rah rah... I personally think its your mind saying "yeh cos I spent money n time with extra long piping I can feel differences":nuts:

The stock exhaust is already a good bit of kit (very close to 2.5"), and no doubt the best gains are from a high flow muffler like the VRX already has. Redoing the piping would only really benefit those with forced induction or highly worked engines.

Perhaps save your biccies for extractors. Then the next step then would be some cams and piggyback ecu.

I think there might be a wiki about this somewhere..



Only the back half is 2.5", the flex pip, o2 sensor pipe, cat converter and hotdog are 2 1/4"

I replaced all with 2.5" with a 3" cat and felt a nice gain, spent 1k though, used quality parts.

If the guy wants one...LET HIM GET ONE. i have one myself (bought it like that) my point is. on a hot night your car has to run cooler. NO QUESTIONS asked. but on a normals night/day wouldnt make any/very little differnce at all.

Thanks but don't think i'll be doing a CAI

CAI - For N/A you won't need to go to a full-blown CAI

The existing snorkel is OK except you need to add a 50mm tube into the air-box to ensure maximum air intake under peak demand conditions

You will also need to add a hi-flow air filter such as the K&N panel to lower intake restriction - especially since you are about to fit the Fuel Rail kit it will be the ideal combination

This kit will correct the air-fuel ratio when it leans out (due to the way the Vortex AFM measures air flow) and restore full acceleration - also retaining full power above 3000 rpm

The rubber bonnet seal some AMCers have mentioned should not normally block air into the snorkel - you can check it by 'chalking' the seal and seeing where it 'marks'

It should go up and around the snorkel, sealing off any hot air from the engine

If it doesn't, then use a 'tek' screw and large washer to hold the rubber seal firmly in place

Cheers, Barry

Thanks

Here's my CAI I just completed. cheap as chips and simple to do .
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=712873&postcount=7

Final product
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=716487&postcount=28

full thread here
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48649

Shane

I thought all 3rd gens came with a CAI? :cool:

And if you think the stock induction isnt a CAI, look at a stock 1st gen, asif you have anything to complain about/basis to take it off and put your own on. :P

True it is getting cool aire from the front of the car.....it just need to work hard to get it through the slot in the front of the bonnet.

On top of that the surface area of the opening is almost half that of a 90mm pipe.

The more air you can get the better it is.

My car rev's so much quicker and easier now the airflow restriction has been removed. specially in the higher RPM range.

They have noticed a change. But this change is immeasurable as a dyno will not produce the results as the car is not moving.

I have had 3 different intakes on my 3rd Gen - stock, pipe to below car, NZ CAI.

Stock - Fine.

Pipe to below Car - Bastard, had to clean air filter so often it was not funny, found all sorts of crap in airbox - rocks, leaves, about a cupful of sand on one occasion. Made very little if any difference to the performance, nothing noticeable.

NZ CAI - bought this from www.emtechautomotive.com.au , best to email them as I dont believe they have them on their website. This is a clone of the unit fitted to TJ onwards VRX models in New Zealand, apparently Mitsu did some research and this one came up with the goods, apparently 8kW, it replaces your stock snorkel with one that is curved to behind the passenger headlight instead of drawing air over the hot radiator. I havent noticed massive gains from this either, but it does have some benefits such as being less bulky and generally less ghetto looking that a DIY CAI, car seems to be a little smoother, but nothing worth writing home about. If you are after a no nonsense CAI that only takes ~15 mins to install (one nut and a bit of squeezing to get it into position) then this is definitely the way to go.

In summary, no CAI is gonna make your car a dragster, but of the 3 I have used, the NZ CAI wins simply because of its simplicity and because I *believe* it made my car a little smoother (but then again maybe anything would have helped after the monstrosity CAI I was running previously).

Hope it helps.

For those interested if you go here -http://www.tradingpost.com.au/DealerProducts/DealerProduct.asp?ProductID=13684
and search for 'magna'you will find the NZ CAI's (or i assume they are) $150 a pop + postage.

It's handy having a TL, makes a CAI so much easier because you've got all that space behind the grille. I'm contemplating putting a CAI in my TJ, but still deciding on the best way to do it. I think i might keep the stock snorkel and just run a 2nd pipe from underneath the stock opening to behind a headlight next to the grille :think:.

does the nz cai go down behind the head light if not what good is it?

has anyone ever measure the restriction from the stock intake

Anyone else had any experience with the Emtech NZ CAI?

I have the usual flex-pipe-below/behind-the bumper job, and I'm happy with it, except that I seem to suck alot of crap into my airbox. This is especially bad when I do a trackday, as I inevitably make a few trips into the sand traps.

How big is the opening, compared to the stock snorkel, and a 90mm bit of flex pipe? My only concern is that it suck air from behind the headlight, I had a quick look around there, and can't see where it would get a fresh supply of air, it looks it would just be sucking in hot engine bay air?

Also what's involved in fitting it? Looks the battery box has to be cut or removed?

So all those members who have a Cold Ait Intake have wasted time and money. And they have not noticed better engine response/acceleration or any sort of gain. Is that what you are trying to say?

mine was great imo. $30 well spent

they do? lol says who?

it just comes with a stock snorkal man. got a pic of this stock CAI?

and adcha1 the most you "might" feel is the car would be a tad more responsive or rev better but dont think so there will be power gain.


might be a snorkel, but its sucking cold clean air, so its a cai.

http://bigs.omfg.net.au/pics/19122006010.jpg

might be a snorkel, but its sucking cold clean air, so its a cai.




i know that lol

but they way you posted looked like the VRX had something extra

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/lazzo/intake.jpg

This is my NZ CAI, looks basic but I feel it works great.

I think I did all right for my $70.
at least I'm assured that I am obtaining clean fresh air from the front of the grill.

I don't really like the look of the NZ thing.

as they say.... each to their own....

might be a snorkel, but its sucking cold clean air, so its a cai.

http://bigs.omfg.net.au/pics/19122006010.jpg


Absolutely correct. The std snorkel does a fine job. :D

CAIs are a waste. :bowrofl:

mines not standard

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=716487&postcount=28

but it is gettin around 1/3 more air and a whole lot easier than the standard setup.

have you seen the space where the standard setup draws air from???

it is amazing how much easier mine revs now too.

mine pokes out 180kW, I think it sounds more impressive since I changed it to the NZ CAI

Get a TW induction setup from a wreckers, the area of teh intake is the same as the rest of the tubing, no loss of power here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/typhoonpud/Magnaathome002.jpg
No need for crazy mods on the later cars, the factory hasd already done it for you! You would be very hard pressed to make something better at home.

Regards, Andrew.

mine used to look like what you have there, but i took that out in favour of the NZ CAI setup.

Thanks but don't think i'll be doing a CAI

I guess what we are all trying to say is that a cai on its own is not enough for getting any gains.

Personally i got a CAI and a new filter (i did a pod but a normal box filter from k&n works to). It may just be me put i noticed more power and acceleration. The thing is this is one of the best bang for buck things you can do (with the exception of a new butterfly maybe). But you need to do both to get any true benifit.

If you have a look at my link below you can see how i did my cai setup and how it connects to my box (just be aware that mines a pod box but the same system will work on a normal filter box.

... look at my link below you can see how i did my cai setup and how it connects to my box (just be aware that mines a pod box but the same system will work on a normal filter box.

I note this is a list of all your mods to engine...

Custom Stainless Steel Exhuast
Fuel Rail Kit
HM Headers
K&N Oval Pod Filter & CAI Induction
Pod Enclosure Box

Magnaflow muffler


How much kilowatts did you gain?

Thanks

:)

Cold air induction is not cold air induction if it is sucking up engine bay air, and unless that intake in front of the battery is boxed off to teh headlight surrounds, that's all you are getting.
Don't believe me? Go get a cheapo car thermometer (the ones with the remote thermometer, digital readout) and put it in your intake pipe.
As to why someone would want to suck up dirt and road crud into their engines by sticking hoses under their cars, well, I have no idea.
Teh best place for high pressure cold air is at the base of the windscreen, if you are truly serious.
Also don't underestimate the fact that the factory intakes above the grille gets ram air, which is omething the battery cooler will never have, due to the fact that there is no way to contain the air pressure.
Seriously, there are some very good books on the subject, go read them.

Regards, Andrew.

Cold air induction is not cold air induction if it is sucking up engine bay air, and unless that intake in front of the battery is boxed off to teh headlight surrounds, that's all you are getting.
Don't believe me? Go get a cheapo car thermometer (the ones with the remote thermometer, digital readout) and put it in your intake pipe.
As to why someone would want to suck up dirt and road crud into their engines by sticking hoses under their cars, well, I have no idea.
Teh best place for high pressure cold air is at the base of the windscreen, if you are truly serious.
Also don't underestimate the fact that the factory intakes above the grille gets ram air, which is omething the battery cooler will never have, due to the fact that there is no way to contain the air pressure.
Seriously, there are some very good books on the subject, go read them.

Regards, Andrew.

The ram air effect doesnt create any gains until over 200kph. Go figure. This isn't about cold air either it's about less restriction.

To anyone removing the stock snorkel cai with a homemade one all you are doing is creating a longer intake line with more bends.

To anyone removing the stock snorkel cai with a homemade one all you are doing is creating a longer intake line with more bends.

Mate, when that pipe is 110mm, there is no restriction (regardles of extra bends, as the overall flow capacity outstrips the flow demand of the engine). Having changed back and forth a few times now, I can tell you there is an improvement with the larger piping. While the standard intake snorkel is ok, it just doesn't flow as well as a larger pipe. Mitsubishi NZ tested the emtech style intake and even that provided an improvement.

Without actually doing it yourself, how can you tell the stock intake is the best just by looking at it?

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2623/caist7.jpg

As to why someone would want to suck up dirt and road crud into their engines by sticking hoses under their cars, well, I have no idea.


The filters do a wonderfull job of filtering the intake air.



Teh best place for high pressure cold air is at the base of the windscreen, if you are truly serious.

Actually any vertical edge (i.e fog lamp area) of the front bumper will have a higher presure zone then the base of a windscreen.



Also don't underestimate the fact that the factory intakes above the grille gets ram air, which is omething the battery cooler will never have, due to the fact that there is no way to contain the air pressure.
Seriously, there are some very good books on the subject, go read them.
Regards, Andrew.

See Below


The ram air effect doesnt create any gains until over 200kph. Go figure. This isn't about cold air either it's about less restriction.

Why not get the best of both worlds? Keep the stock snorkel, and then run and extra pipe from underneath to a CAI spot, this would remove the restriction (if there is one).

I note this is a list of all your mods to engine...

Custom Stainless Steel Exhuast
Fuel Rail Kit
HM Headers
K&N Oval Pod Filter & CAI Induction
Pod Enclosure Box

Magnaflow muffler


How much kilowatts did you gain?

Thanks

:)

I havn't dyno'd the car so i dont have exact figures. Ill probly get it done after i get a new butterfly and intake manifold. I just know when i installed the original kit acceleration revs & power inproved. I should have been more specific though its probly not the cold air but the increased air intake that helps.

As for the stock snorkel being better than the piping however sorry have to disagree. I swapped the snorkel for the piping and the car definetly ran better (although admittedly not as good as it runs with the k&n in it but still better. Wheather this is from increased intake or cold air i dont know (or care) it runs better so i use it simple as that.

I havn't dyno'd the car so i dont have exact figures. Ill probly get it done after i get a new butterfly and intake manifold. I just know when i installed the original kit acceleration revs & power inproved. I should have been more specific though its probly not the cold air but the increased air intake that helps.

As for the stock snorkel being better than the piping however sorry have to disagree. I swapped the snorkel for the piping and the car definetly ran better (although admittedly not as good as it runs with the k&n in it but still better. Wheather this is from increased intake or cold air i dont know (or care) it runs better so i use it simple as that.


I agree, mine revs freeer and smoother with a 90mm pipe than with the oem snorkle fitted

Mate, when that pipe is 110mm, there is no restriction (regardles of extra bends, as the overall flow capacity outstrips the flow demand of the engine). Having changed back and forth a few times now, I can tell you there is an improvement with the larger piping. While the standard intake snorkel is ok, it just doesn't flow as well as a larger pipe. Mitsubishi NZ tested the emtech style intake and even that provided an improvement.

Without actually doing it yourself, how can you tell the stock intake is the best just by looking at it?

Because its the shortest, straightest route to the front of the car. Air has to obey the laws of physics too, it has mass therefore gravity effects it, you cant put a bend in a pipe without effecting the drag. Prove this gain before I believe it.

Because its the shortest, straightest route to the front of the car. Air has to obey the laws of physics too, it has mass therefore gravity effects it, you cant put a bend in a pipe without effecting the drag. Prove this gain before I believe it.

Of course gravity affects air (thats why we have an atmosphere). But just how much mass does air have in the comparatively small amounts an engine draws in? Not much, hence the gravitational force is irrelevant.

The negative pressure created by the engine is way stronger then any effect of gravity that might be acting upon the air. So it will always move freely up the pipe due to the laws of physics you so fondly mentioned, as it will always try to equalise the pressure difference (the basic reason an engine works in the first place).

Also since that pipe is very large, it's almost like the air box is drawing air from open space, due the minuscule resistance it will experience compared to the restricted standard snorkel that has a much smaller overall area at it's opening to draw from, regardless of how short and straight it's path is. The throttle body is 55mm in diameter, so how is the drag that the longer 110mm diameter pipe and extra bends produce, going to effect the air flow? (even the 90mm diameter pipes will still outflow 55mm after all thir drag inducing charecteristics).

I particularly don't care if you believe me or not (but will gladly take a dyno test at your expense:D ). But don't go knocking an idea just because you "think" it won't work, as I am only advocating this through experience (trial and error), not because I "think" it's better. There have already been a few people that have done dyno runs with stock setup and modified, and have experience differences of an average of 6kW at the wheels difference in the modified intakes favour.

Of course gravity affects air (thats why we have an atmosphere). But just how much mass does air have in the comparatively small amounts an engine draws in? Not much, hence the gravitational force is irrelevant.

The negative pressure created by the engine is way stronger then any effect of gravity that might be acting upon the air. So it will always move freely up the pipe due to the laws of physics you so fondly mentioned, as it will always try to equalise the pressure difference (the basic reason an engine works in the first place).

Also since that pipe is very large, it's almost like the air box is drawing air from open space, due the minuscule resistance it will experience compared to the restricted standard snorkel that has a much smaller overall area at it's opening to draw from, regardless of how short and straight it's path is. The throttle body is 55mm in diameter, so how is the drag that the longer 110mm diameter pipe and extra bends produce, going to effect the air flow? (even the 90mm diameter pipes will still outflow 55mm after all thir drag inducing charecteristics).

I particularly don't care if you believe me or not (but will gladly take a dyno test at your expense:D ). But don't go knocking an idea just because you "think" it won't work, as I am only advocating this through experience (trial and error), not because I "think" it's better. There have already been a few people that have done dyno runs with stock setup and modified, and have experience differences of an average of 6kW at the wheels difference in the modified intakes favour.

:stoopid:

That sums it up well. Anyway dont get discouraged by the earlier posts. A new air intake system is a great mod just dont get hung up on the idea that its the cold air making the difference rather than increased air intake!

:stoopid:

That sums it up well. Anyway dont get discouraged by the earlier posts. A new air intake system is a great mod just dont get hung up on the idea that its the cold air making the difference rather than increased air intake!


mmmm doesn't the engine's electronics that govern fuel delivery, mixtures, timing etc.. spend a lot of time measuring airflow? So that if you artifically increase the volume of air flowing into the induction manifold.. the computers will add more fuel? or something similar? I am guessing by simply adding more volume of air (per second) you just make the engine behave different to what it is tuned to do? ...

I dunno.

I am guessing by simply adding more volume of air (per second) you just make the engine behave different to what it is tuned to do? ...

I dunno.

You're not getting any extra air in regardless of how good your intake setup is (so the air/fuel mixtures arn't really effected). The engines displacement dictates the max amount of area there is to fill with an air/fuel mixture (how efficiently it does this is a different story), since we are not changing the displacement, the engine will still draw the same amount of air in compared to a standard intake.

What we are doing is slightly reducing the effort the engine requires to fill it's cylinders. Hence why allot of members with larger intake pipes experience a slight increase in the engines willingness to rev.

Extractors are designed to do the same thing. To reduce the ammount of work an engine requires to push the spent exhaust gasses out of it's cylinders, hence more power left over to turn the wheels.