okay guys ive got a challenge,...my stock te auto magna was kinda eaten by my mates 2002 vx hbd commodore the other night and i wasnt too happy.. it was very close but he still had the front....im not too sure the L-D gear rotation works...i think starting from 2nd is prolly quicker...anyways

what should i need to make myself clearly pass him, im thinking rpw extractors mixed with a bigger cai and a kn air filter...but i have some questions...

the air filter is rather expensive..for being well just an air filter..does it last longer than normal filters..do you have to replace it fullstop :|

hahah okay so im rather dumb fair enough but some help would be highly appreciated.

some helpful tips for me would be
- where i can get a new cai(couple of names brands and prices)
- the difference between a pod and air filter and which one i should go for
- weather or not i should go for pacemakers or rpw and hte performance dif between either
- and if i change all the current filters (me thinks they are rather old) would i see a reasonable performance gain...

cheers guys, ill be back with more questions that have been asked before over and over later.

the air filter is rather expensive..for being well just an air filter..does it last longer than normal filters..do you have to replace it fullstop :|

The K&N last for ages ... I reckon its a cheaper proposition in the long run ... $30-$40 for the paper every 15000km or $120 for K&N and replace it every 150000 or so (you can wash em).



- where i can get a new cai(couple of names brands and prices)


RPW, or you can build your own ... do a search someone has built a fairly impressive one.



- the difference between a pod and air filter and which one i should go for

A normal pod is no good due to the us maf sensor. you need an oval. A pod will flow better than a panel. I think about 25% better (look at the k&n flow rates)



- weather or not i should go for pacemakers or rpw and hte performance dif between either

from wot I have read the RPW ones are marginally better ... but each to their own ...

Cheers mate thats exactly what i wanted to know :)


with the cai, the bigger you go the more air you can get in to the engine to mix/push fuel in ..or whatever it is....is there ever a time with a cai that you can go too big and gain performance loss?

Well, given your MAF sensor is near the pod, it will be the major restriction that end, but then your plenum, intake manifold, heads and throttle body will be the restriction at the other end. I dunno about a 'performance' drop ... probably just not much point, given no performance gain, and just using more room in the engine bay.

What may happen if you have large CAI tubes, is the intake air may sit in them longer, and heat transfer from the engine bay may become a problem.

I am sure there is a cutover point dollars v performance or heat v flow

Im sure a panel fitler, exhaust and extractors would do... ohh plus some NOS sticks or the like.. will make your car soooo much faster. :D

with the cai, the bigger you go the more air you can get in to the engine to mix/push fuel in ..or whatever it is....is there ever a time with a cai that you can go too big and gain performance loss?
Not always. There can be a loss. Can't see how a pod will flow better than a panel either. It's made of the same material. And, if you fit a pod the air has to move around to enter the air meter. That can't be better than straight through a panel. And there's no ram air effect from CAI. That's just a myth. CAI is about a cooler source of air and reducing pressure drops in a system, not force feeding.

That can't be better than straight through a panel.

I agree, but the flow rates quoted by K&N suggest a POD is better.

I agree, but the flow rates quoted by K&N suggest a POD is better.
That's called marketing lol

panel/pod will both flow the same, but it also depends on what snorkle you have on your car to, if you have a little tiny intake for the air to come in for the panel filter, then yeah the pod will FLOW better but, it will also suck in hot air if it's not inside a box covered up from most if not all angles, BUT then you still have a problem with the snorkle if you put it in the box.
so what 'I' would to is buy a K&N Panel Filter and get a better snorkle so the air will flow into the box better, which will also make the panel filter flow better with more air, and colder air flowing in, IMO thats what i would go for, but i wouldn't ever go for a pod filter or any other filter sticking round in the engine bay sucking up cold air, the only way i would get something like that is if it way in a box, but even after you mess around putting the pod in box or whatever you still need the Snorkle done either way if you want it to work to it's 100% effectivness.

i remember in some other thread someone joked about dont start an argument about which is better pod or panel.... quite relevant since i read this thread

That's called marketing lol

True ... I opted for the panel anyway ... less hassle, and clips straight in :);):) now for a better snorkel.

thats the way mate :D