What makes a Cold Air Kit...a Cold Air Kit?

[05PhillyStang]

I'm new to modding so I apologize for the newbie question. Other than a tube and a filter, what makes a cold air kit?

I thought of this question when i saw the Steeda cold air kit that utilizes the stock piping. There has to be something in there other than a filter, a heat shield and a little piece of tubing.

I want to get a CAI, but like I said, I'm new to this. It's time for me to replace my filter. So in the meantime I figured I'd buy a Fram filter from Pep Boys to hold me over until I decide on a CAI.

A friend of mine suggested that I just a cone filter from K&N for now, until I get a "real" CAI. I really doubt that this suggestion is any good, but then I saw the Steeda CAI, which looks like nothing more than a cone filter with a heat shield.

Can anyone shed some light?

 

[FlyFish]

Not being a mechanic of any kind (I do read alot, however), the new Mustang has a very small air intake, 2" opening if I recall, which restricts air volume. The cold air kit increases the air intake volume considerably. More air, more compression, more horsepower.

 

[JRPony]

A true cold air kit will draw air in from the fenderwell or some other location where the air temp is considerably lower then the air temp in the engine compartment. I would say 90% of "cold air kits" are not cold air kits because they are not drawing in cold air. A heat shield around the filter area does not make it a cold air intake.
BTW, to poster #2, colder air does not increase compression. Cold air is denser, which means the air drawn in will have more oxygen molecules then the same volume of hot air. Since there is more oxygen to burn, HP is increased. But don't expect much from just a cold air kit.

 

[firestang70]

05 Philly with a good CAI, tuner ( take it to a dyno for the best results), you should see 20-30 hp increase. I have a Tunable Induction and love it! The C&L(pricey) is good and people speak highly of the JLT II. Good luck!

 

[8850]

A true cold air kit will draw air in from the fenderwell or some other location where the air temp is considerably lower then the air temp in the engine compartment. I would say 90% of "cold air kits" are not cold air kits because they are not drawing in cold air. A heat shield around the filter area does not make it a cold air intake.
BTW, to poster #2, colder air does not increase compression. Cold air is denser, which means the air drawn in will have more oxygen molecules then the same volume of hot air. Since there is more oxygen to burn, HP is increased. But don't expect much from just a cold air kit.

I don't think there is a real cold air intake for our new Mustangs. They all draw from under hood warm air. Not sure why they are even called a CAI. But they do increase hp/torque.

 

[FlyFish]

JRPony - thanks for the clarification on the cold air kit.

I have a lot to learn I see.

 

[05PhillyStang]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm starting to understand this whole CAI thing, but I still want to ask:

Why not just throw a cone filter and a heat shield on my stock piping and get the same results? It seems to me that's what Steeda did

 

[05PhillyStang]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm starting to understand this whole CAI thing, but I still want to ask:

Why not just throw a cone filter and a heat shield on my stock piping and get the same results? It seems to me that's what Steeda did

 

[bigcat]

you can do that, but the pipes smooth out the incoming air....

 

[J DeMolet]

The 05/06 systems are my first underhood systems with the designing of the 05/06 precluding having the filter in the inner fender.

I wanted to provide the coolest area possible with the intake underhood and thusly the full surround polycarbonate shield.

The shield will block heat to 270 degrees and retain all the cool incoming air in the squared off section while sealing against the hood blanket and not allow any fan wash coming across the filter.

The plastic construction will also insulate from heat obsorption.

It's as close as I could come up with with the system being underhood.

'In motion' the system will stay cool, allow cool air from underneath for filter breathing, and trap the cool air in the shield area, while not restricting the filter in an airbox.

 

[Tmack]

Save your money and just drop in a K&N air filter and get a tune. You will have the same result.

 

[06GTVERT4DE]

[QUOTE Why not just throw a cone filter and a heat shield on my stock piping and get the same results? It seems to me that's what Steeda did[/QUOTE]

You should get the whole kit including the programmer. If you don't reprogram, you will not get the added benefit of the CAI. Also, your car will run too lean. Do it right and the the whole kit and programmer!

 

[Thunder Road]

Quote:

I don't think there is a real cold air intake for our new Mustangs. They all draw from under hood warm air. Not sure why they are even called a CAI. But they do increase hp/torque.



Actually there is one from Western MotorSports. It draws from under the front of the hood.
http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/05hvi.htm
You "do" have to line the underside of the ram air box with an insulation blanket to get the full benefit.

 

[Spdfreak]

Sidebar question. I just bought a K&N drop-in. Will it throw a cell if I install it?

 

[Spdfreak]

Bump for answer, please.

 

[k5zx]

cai on 5th gens

Not being a mechanic of any kind (I do read alot, however), the new Mustang has a very small air intake, 2" opening if I recall, which restricts air volume. The cold air kit increases the air intake volume considerably. More air, more compression, more horsepower.

So maybe CAi are more better for 5th gens than the earlier models?
see:

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/03/coldair/index.shtml

in light of the above article, what is the point in this thread at all?