Brian Catts is helping me assemble a CAI with custom and PR parts. I got the tubes for cheap, so I am using real PR parts for the MAF adapter and hoses, and using my own filter. When I asked him about using the upper tube as a hybrid intake (with a BrianV popcharger) until I get the time to cut the fender hole, he sent me the following email, which certainly makes sense:

"There's a picture of the MAF on www.cattman.com in the intake section. If the opening of your filter is 3" it will fit. However, adding a standard filter is not a particularly good solution. Without the velocity stack that is integral to the Monsterflow, or built into the metal base of the JWT or Stillen POP filters, the incoming air is extremely turbulent and has a negative effect on power. I did a test myself once on the dyno, and the curve for the intake with velocity stack was very smooth, but the one for the "raw" filter was very jagged. The MAF is trying to make large adjustments milliseconds apart due to the turbulent air -- the difference on the chart is dramatic -- and you will be 2-3 horsepower under what you would be otherwise. Apart from all that, take my advice on oiled filters very seriously. Those are real issues, and the "coking" or carbonization on your MAF hotwire is a significant and expensive risk (no repair potential and replacement of the MAF metre is several hundred $s)."

So has anyone else thought through the idea of the turbulent air and the potentially detrimental effect that it can have on power, and ultimately, on MAF longevity?

I am in a hurry to do the whole install, but will not have all of the parts from him for a week or so. I will have the CAI tubing sooner, and wanted to do the Cone and upper pipe first, then do the lower (true CAI) pipe in a few weeks when I have access to a shop. If not, I was considering just using the setup as a hybrid through the winter to see how I liked it. Brian Catts's email has me rethinkin g this strategy.

Any thoughts on theis? Has anyone else encountered problems? Also, those converting PR CAIs to hybrids: What do you use as a MAF adapter to mount the cone, once you have removed the front CAI pipe?

Lastly, the MAF adapter on the PR CAI: Is it metal, rubber, plastic? How does it mount/secure to the front CAI tube?

 

Intake isn't a mod that adds a dramatic improvement in performance to start with and if you want to see maximum performance, you will spend the money on a fully pre-made setup or get a similar high-quality cone to go with the PR midpipe. if you want to spend a little less money you will go with the manufactured midpipe and a cheap cone. if you are really cheap you will make your own midpipe for $15 and buy a cheap cone. every path has it's own advantages and you will rationalize doing what you did no matter what you decide on. and the difference is so tiny that you will be right in thinking that:

a) spending a little more and doing it right is the way to go
or
b) not spending too much and still having a great setup is the way to go
or
c) having a ghetto setup but saving money for other mods is the way to go

 

Right now, I am a "b" type of guy, though in a month or so I plan to finish the install of the PR CAI by adding the lower pipe and doing the fender cut. Right now it is more of a desire to have something in there to give me a small gain. I am not in a hurry to do the fender cut, b/c I have some reservations about the whole thing, but i have some color-matched paint on the way, so I will prime the hole and paint it to match, just in case the next buyer pokes around and wonders abou tthe primered hole in the fender wall.

I guess my reservation stems from the recent discussions related to the Hybrind/frankencar/weaponR/fastlane Versus CAI intake debate. I have heard both setups are superior. I have heard that hybrids are the best of both worlds, and that CAIs are the best for autos. I really wanted to do the hybrid first, then convert to a CAI and see which is better. I just dont want to "F" up my MAF in the meantime.

So those of you who have gone from CAI to hybrid, what did you use to attatch the cone to the MAF? Hokiemax comes to mind, and I know that there are others, but the names escape me...