My friend just bought an inexpensive CAI for his Civic. I noticed it was made out of Aluminum, whereas my Place Racing CAI is made out of Mild Steel. When I went to touch it, the pipe itself felt warm. When I went to my car and touched the pipe it felt cool.

It made me begin to think about the thermal properties of the two kits. Aluminum has a much higher thermal conductivity value then steel, so the heat from the engine can effect the metal of the CAI.

So wouldn't CAI kit's that are made of Steel instead of Aluminum keep the incoming air cooler, since the metal isn't as greatly effected from the engine heat?

 

......I don't think that it would matter since the air is being rushed so quickly into the motor. I mean it's not like the air is sitting there getting hot. Any other ideas guys?

 

you have to think about the heat dissipation factors too
aluminum is thin. so it can heat up faster, but cool off faster too

mild steel takes longer to heat up. but also longer to cool off.


while you're driving. air is being sucked in so naturally it will be cooler to the touch.so that the deal is which one will cool off faster after you've been at a stop..

if you're concerned. you may thermal wrap your CAI with insulation to keep it "cooler" persay that it was before.

 

Yes, but the aluminum CAI is lighter. It makes up for the .0001 HP lost to heat by keeping the car .05 lbs lighter...

 

Good point. Just like how the chrome tubes will reflect all ambient light which reduces it by 0.001 degrees from the non-chrome versions.