I am considering getting an intake for my 01 SE. Which is better and why?

- PRCAI
- Frankencar

Thanks for your opinions.

 

There are dozens of threads comparing these two. Try searching for a few and see what you get. If you read a little I'm sure you'll find the info you're looking for...

Also, most have only tried one or the other, so you're going to get 50/50 "mine's better" "no, mine is".

 

Listen, there is no discussion on which is better. A PRCAI is always the best because it is a true COLD air intake. All the others always pickup air from the engine compartment which is HOT air, not cold.

Only advantage to the Frankercar or Berk is that you dont have to drill a 3" hole in your fender and requires alot less work. But I still believe in the PRCAI because it still is a true intake.

You choose from what you want out of it and cost.

Dixit

 

FrankenCar sits in a long list with Stillen, JWT, Berk Tech, etc., etc. Pop Chargers, essentially...although each manufacturer will argue differently.

The Place Racing CAI is the best intake for the 5th Gen Max, other than the Stillen Supercharger, of course.

 

any before/after dynos on the PRCAI?

 

anyone know where there is a dyno in north nj im getting the fraken and ill dyno after i get it put on cuz thats gonna be my first mod then we can compare

 

if your in the morris county area.. there is a dyno on rt. 46 in the randolf area

 

do you know how much it is and how many runs? also where about on 46 nameof the place?

 

That is the feeling I get from reading everyone's comments. I am just concerned about making a hole in the fender.

- Does PR provide you with any cover for the sides of the hole?
- Is the install of the PRCAI as easy as the Frankencar once the hole is made?

 

I don't believe there is a cover...if, by that, you mean a ring which lines the edge of the sheet metal...somebody with the PRCAI will likely reply to confirm this.

The install of all the POP chargers is easier than the PRCAI. I would say, for someone who is mechnically inclined, they are all pretty easy. The added work of having to run the intake tubing and mount the filter under the splash guard of the wheel well makes for a bit more work...not really hard work from my estimation (although I've never done it). The Franken intake (and in my case the Berk Intake) are cake to install...you remove some $hit and install some new $hit in its place.

 

Quick question, after cold air is installed (preferably prcai ) is driving in the rain or snow a big concern, because my friends celica gt-s is a little prissy b!tch, and he won't take it out in the rain because of rain that might get inside. Any feedback on this?
thanks

 

There is a black ring that is supplied in the kit to put on the exposed metal and protect CAI tubing from being scratched. You need to get some touch up paint to keep the exposed metal from rusting and then put on the black ring.

If he was talking about a cover to cover the hole if you take out the CAI ... no there is not. You just have to live with it.

 

there should be a concern ... so you don't go cross a river or anything when you have a CAI, but it is not that bad. I was scared when i first got mine about driving in the rain, but I have had no problems. I don't through any deep puddles and I am careful of where I drive the car on the road when it rains. You have to remember that while the intake sits low to the ground you have to go through some deep water to do some damage. If you are really concerned you can get an AIM bypass valve. I don't have one as I am not that concerned. If you had seen the rain storm i got caught in and had no problems, you'd understand.

 

Which car is better<>??

 

I love my STILLEN intake. I think it has real *****. It moves my car alot.

 

ive driven my car with various intake setups, and PRCAI is the best, i took off the cold air extension and ran a short ram intake setup, when i switched back over to the cold air setup, i knew i could feel a gain in low end. as for the water problem, its not a problem unless u like getting ur feet wet, u gotta drive through a pretty big puddle to get water in the engine.

 

the problem with CAI's is that they choke you car up higher in the rev range. all the fastest n/a maxes on the board are using some kind of pop setup. while mine is a variation of a pop setup i don't consider it with the same class as a stillen. it replaces the stock tubing between the throttle body and resonator with smooth powdercoated tubing and not only looks better but sounds better and adds a couple more HP which are hard to come by on a maxima. also i wasn't all up for drillnig a huge hole in my fender and moving around my fuse box to get the tube through. once you get moving there isn't much of a difference between the temp of the two, and when i have my heatshield out and the air vent.

-steve

 

Ok, those with POP intakes... Most people will leave in the little scoop that allow air into the engine bay. Now, with the POP would there be an issue with moisture getting to the intake from the front?

 

not that i've ever heard of.