I think most of the noise is due to the thin enclosed plastic "chamber" the K&N is now in. The noise sounds as if suction is vibrating the plastic, and only happens at higher RPM’s providing more evidence of this.

My theory is that as the air volume is more then used up within the plastic splashguard by 2.5,K RPM. This is also where a very slight hesitation is caused before a massive almost boost like surge. More air is pulled through the small hole at the bottom and along the side producing this noise.

If the noise is caused due to this, I think solving it will also produce greater gains for the car. I have added cold air intakes to 5.9 RTs, Camaros, Correvets and other cars with only getting the whooshing noise that the CAI also produces when first stepping on the gas along with this other noise when driving at WOT after 3k RPMs.

Why did they design it with the back of the filter so close the wheel well? The was the first ond old stupid thing I’ve noticed thus far. Anyhow, I believe if I make a small cut out on the button of the car at the very end of this plastic piece that goes around the front wheels and to the front of the car and fabricate a small hardly noticeable scoop under the car for this cutout will reduce noise and increase gains.

By the looks of it it, removing your driver side fog lamp or the cut out if you don’t have them (gle) would also work, however, I’m not up to defacing the car yet.

This is a true Cold Air Intake, however the filter doesn’t get direct continual air. I will start on a “RAM CAI” next week and see what happens. Share your thoughts, and if you think this is true.

 

Well, it can't really be a "ram" system unless there is a duct system that routes high-speed air to a sealed chamber where the filter is. Without a system like that, there might be more air flowing turbulently around the filter, but it won't be forced into it, only sucked. This *could* still benefit though, by making more cooler air available.

Just my thoughts.

-Kaleb

 

do you get the same noise though? Well I know it won't be true RAM, thats why I put it in quotes. But you got the idea.

 

Damn, we beat this to death with intakes. I really don't think the CAI is being starved for air. It just doesn't create a massive vacumn like you think. Most likely what you are hearing is the filter being pushed against the panel because the engine is torquing forward in it's mounts. I think this is the same reason to why the CAI filters sometimes break loose.

The CAI is not a ram air system and most ram air systems don't work (Camaro SS, Firebird/TA WS6, etc) because the ram air system is in the wrong location. A scoop won't ram air in, but it will bring fresh cooler air in. The only ram air systems that really worked were on some of the older GM muscle cars. The ram air effect was generated by the windshield. As the car picked up speed, the ram air vent actually opened due to wind force and the the scoop lifted from the hood and the ram air effect took place.

Let's clear some things up about intakes. Both the CAI and POP intakes flow really well (more than a NA engine needs). The CAI pulls in cooler air until the engine heat soaks the piping. The CAI seems to make more lowend grunt, but does seem to go a little flat on the topend. The POP intake pulls in warmer air and looses some lowend (I haven't experienced this). The POP flows better on the topend. At the track, there will be no difference in performance between these systems. On the street, the CAI might have a 1-3 hp advantage. Both systems are nice and both are completely adequate for a NA Max engine.

Dave

 

well the back of the filter does touch the wheel well already without the car moving, and I cut the hole with the template provided. So if what you say is true under torquing. then it would be mashed into the wheel well even more. I also wondered about the filter falling off. I'm really not 100% sure about this setup anymore. Also, from some dyno runs I have tried, the Camaro SS RAM Air is worth some HP.

 

Can't you just use the MAF to filter part of the CAI? If so then that would kill all the noise from it. The noise comes from bypassing the intake resonator. My CAI just runs from the MAF to fender so its stock like quiet until 3000rpms. But since I'm an auto thats like 88mph or higher on the freeway .

 

Well, I'm no scientist but I have been thinking about this too. With the CAI, you have a 3.25inch (approx) intake pipe sucking air from a certain volume of air which is filled through a two inch hole under the car. Ok, there is leakage around the plastic cavity too.
How can air rush in a two inch hole fast enough to supply air to the intake. There is 'X' volume in the cavity. The intake is asking for 'Y' volume of air and the hole is allowing 'Z' volume to be passed through or is the hole allowing 'Y' or 'X' volume of air to be passed through?
Does the theory of vacuums apply here? Just thinking out loud. So a true ram air would force air in such that it more dense than the surrounding air, but the CAI just supplies the same density of air, just more of it?

 

Joe_R: Thats what I am sayig, so a larger hole or some other means to get more air in there should help. Also, I could put the filter after the maf, but then whats the point of the CAI? In that case I could have just bought a POP and saved money.

[Edited by TexMaximum on 10-17-2000 at 11:20 PM]

 

I though about drilling more small holes in the plastic too. Small because you don't want water or debris to easily penetrate the filter.
Putting the filter in after the maf could result in damage to the maf. Removal of the screen was a big debate too. I removed it and noticed it had a bit more torque and changed the shift point. But I decided it was not worth the risk in damaging the maf. As far as shift points, I mean I noticed when the screen was removed, crusing in second gear, I could reach 42mph, floor it (in drive) and the car would shift down into first.With the screen in, 42mph results in the car staying in second gear. I tested and found that 39mph is the most I can go in second to get the car to shift down into first (leaving it in drive). So whatever this proves, I don't know. It's just something I noticed.

 

I like the idea of going for the front of the car, like the fog light area..

This may seem hard to believe, but my Mother just got a Cadillac Sedan deVille. It has BOTH a cold air intake and a FSTB. I know, I know, you think I'm crazy. I wish I had a pic of it. From the factory, they run the duct to the drivers side head light opening so the air is forced in through the corner of the car. And seriously, it has a strut tower bar. I went under the hood to fill her washer fluid and I was in shock. I spent 20 mins looking around under there for ideas............those crazy auto makers in Detroit.....

 

OK, more holes wouldn't hurt. I think we should try it. Also, how will I know when the filter falls off, other then having to take all the plastic off again to check. This sure is a pain for filter checking and cleaning, though I don't think the filter will get that dirty where its at, but who knows.

[Edited by TexMaximum on 10-18-2000 at 01:06 PM]

 

I'm sure it will be a different sound sucking in air. You may also hear it bounce around in there. I periodically stick my finger in the hole (no comments please) to make sure it hasn't fallen. If you tighten it good, you shouldn't have a problem. Mine has been on for 12K miles and hasn't fallen off yet.
Oh, forget my braindead comment above about damage to the maf since you would be placing the fileter just before the maf. Duh.