CAI or SRI... what's better?

[ryans88gt]

Preface: I am a mazdaspeed noob, but far from a car noob.

So it seems like a lot of people use the SRI.

Is there a reason for this other than cost?

Conventional wisdom for other cars would be that a full CAI with the filter mounted outside the engine bay would have the result of lower intake temps.

[8.5MS3]

negligible difference. put your flame suit on

[TXspeed3]

Even the metally retarded could search for this and find HUNDREDS of post and answers on this...come on now..

[ryans88gt]

Sure I could search. Would like to get a current opinion...Thanks!

Most mentally retarded people I know have a better demeanor than yours...

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by 8.5MS3 negligible difference. put your flame suit on

Exactly!

Intake temperatures where a short ram intake would be located drop within 2-4 degrees true ambient once moving. This has been confirmed by many to be true. Plus this is a turbocharged car, things work a bit differently. The only way you’re going to get significantly lower intake temps is by replacing the factory TMIC with a FMIC.

[8.5MS3]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt Sure I could search. Would like to get a current opinion...Thanks! Most mentally retarded people I know have a better demeanor than yours...

everyones opinion is current. noone would have a mod on their car that was not as good or better than a different solution. sorry bud....maybe you should go on 247, the intake debate is still going on.

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by 8.5MS3 everyones opinion is current.

What?

How could everyone's opinion be current if I was looking at old threads form 2008 that I found from searching...I don't consider stuff people wrote 2 years ago to be current.

Things change...

[SgtP]

i have the cpe Nano and love it. Looks good sounds good and performs good.

[8.5MS3]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt What? How could everyone's opinion be current if I was looking at old threads form 2008 that I found from searching...I don't consider stuff people wrote 2 years ago to be current. Things change...

your right my mistake. this debate was put to bed over a year ago. we've moved on to bigger and better things. if there's no current threads its because a conclusion was reached over a year ago and you failed to see it. again my mistake.

[Sacrilicious]

REAL men saw all that useless shit off and just run an open turbo!

[acmhd7]

While those threads are old but the equipment is all the same. SRI and CIA's havent changed much and people have been going back and forth on this for a while. Read through the searched threads and come to your own conclusion, things havent changed. I've personally come to the conclusion of a SRI only because it costs less and just a wee bit easier to install/clean.

And just a heads up its best not to question people that know more about a certan subject than you do.

[Dash08]

Conventional automotive methods go right out the fucking window with this motor.

Seriously man, there are multiple 10 page threads on this topic. it's one of the easiest topics to search for. All of the information on these threads is considered current regardless of how old the thread is. There have been no new changes or advancements in intakes.

Here's one that I found for you. Your going to want to read through ALL of the posts to get the multiple opinions and logics. Pay no mind to the bickering.
What will give more power CAI or SRI

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by acmhd7 And just a heads up its best not to question people that know more about a certan subject than you do.

Well that's just silly. I question everything and often find that people pretending to know a lot, really don't. I wasn't around to see this debate get beat to death, so my bad. I just thought some people enjoy being helpful...

Originally Posted by Dash08 Conventional automotive methods go right out the fucking window with this motor. Seriously man, there are multiple 10 page threads on this topic. it's one of the easiest topics to search for. All of the information on these threads is considered current regardless of how old the thread is. There have been no new changes or advancements in intakes. Here's one that I found for you. Your going to want to read through ALL of the posts to get the multiple opinions and logics. Pay no mind to the bickering. What will give more power CAI or SRI

I read that thread. Maybe I should be more specific and ask the hard question.

Anyone with anything more than seat of the pants feelings, like track data or acceleration data? Dyno data is pointless for comparing the two. Nobody heat soaks the car on the dyno, the dyno doesn't move down the track at 120 mph, and almost every dyno run I have seen is done with the hood up.

Haven't really found that info yet.

[Kdawg207]

CPE Nano

end of story

[DSIT995]

Go full intake: (SRI & TIP) Either COBB or CPE

And the 2year old post are current bcuz, well nothing has changed, Like others have said its all been figured out.

[warmongoose66]

CP-E GENII NANO, hands down my best MOD so far.

Originally Posted by TXspeed3 Even the metally retarded could search for this and find HUNDREDS of post and answers on this...come on now..

LMAO the mentally retarded

[Urkend]

Hmm. This would have been 100x better if it was a dead thread brought back to life with vulgar images.

[NRSpeed]

CAI? SRI? WTF, JDM that shit and just take the filter off. Doing my ricer math thats like over 9000 HP GAINS!

[802MS3]

surprised no one has groaned TXspeed yet

[NRSpeed]

Originally Posted by opt_ms3 surprised no one has groaned TXspeed yet

Double must not be around.

[Lopeser1]

sri

[Speedsicks]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt I read that thread. Maybe I should be more specific and ask the hard question. Anyone with anything more than seat of the pants feelings, like track data or acceleration data? Dyno data is pointless for comparing the two. Nobody heat soaks the car on the dyno, the dyno doesn't move down the track at 120 mph, and almost every dyno run I have seen is done with the hood up. Haven't really found that info yet.

There was a thread on 24/7 where somebody dyno'd CAI and SRI with the same car, and the results were almost identical. But then a 10 page debate began on how the dyno scenario was artificial and the real problem is when you're sitting stopped in traffic and don't have the hood open and fan blowing into your engine bay.

[BUNGEEZZ]

CAI call it a day

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by Speedsicks There was a thread on 24/7 where somebody dyno'd CAI and SRI with the same car, and the results were almost identical. But then a 10 page debate began on how the dyno scenario was artificial and the real problem is when you're sitting stopped in traffic and don't have the hood open and fan blowing into your engine bay.

Once the car is moving temps go down like immediately to within 2-4 of ambient. It doesn’t make much sense to purchase a CAI over an SRI for this car.

Originally Posted by BUNGEEZZ CAI call it a day

If you're smart you'd buy the SRI and use the extra cash to for something else like a TP or 3' Turbo inlet.

[ATAZ]

simple....

SRI and TIP and remove the battery cooling tube to let fresh air hit the SRI's filter.

+++ the SRI is easier to remove for cleaning / dealer visits.

[jack_hammer]

Originally Posted by ms3077 If you're smart you'd buy the SRI and use the extra cash to for something else like a TP or 3' Turbo inlet.

or a hooker.

[ryans88gt]

So does anyone have any real info here? Put this to bed 2 years ago, but has anyone actually answered the question with real data?

Like a IAT log of an autocross with the SRI and CAI to compare them.

I'm sorry if I don't just accept someones off the cuff comment that the temps are only 2-4 degrees different. Seems very unlikely in a situation like an autocross where average speed might only be 35 mph, but the engine is getting worked hard.

So far the only real data I have seen is dyno data which doesn't answer my original question about underhood temps.... that and a rumor that underhood temps are only 2-4 degrees warmer than ambient (which even if correct, is not insignicant, btw, look at temp correction charts, that is about 1% power, or 3 hp).

[camdensms6]

personal preferance but if you live in a rainy climate dont get a CAI get a SRI . If you live in a hot one then do what ever you please.

[darth vader]

well, one thing that's a bit of a red herring is the idea that cais have some magical heat resistant properties. My dh shows iat rising pretty fast in stop and go, just like the sri did. temps did come down when moving but, not as instantaneously as some have claimed. If your sri returned to 2-4 degrees above ambient instantly on moving, you weren't stopped for long, either, that's for damn sure.

I have an aem cai and I had a Cobb SRI. The SRI made the engine more explosive off the bottom, the CAI took a bit of that off and spread the power delivery over a more useable range.

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt So does anyone have any real info here? Put this to bed 2 years ago, but has anyone actually answered the question with real data? Like a IAT log of an autocross with the SRI and CAI to compare them. I'm sorry if I don't just accept someones off the cuff comment that the temps are only 2-4 degrees different. Seems very unlikely in a situation like an autocross where average speed might only be 35 mph, but the engine is getting worked hard. So far the only real data I have seen is dyno data which doesn't answer my original question about underhood temps.... that and a rumor that underhood temps are only 2-4 degrees warmer than ambient (which even if correct, is not insignicant, btw, look at temp correction charts, that is about 1% power, or 3 hp).

Those 2-4 degrees cooler temps once gone thru the turbo amount to dick. And yes even while traveling just 30mph or whatever TEMPS go right back down. There ISN'T a substantial difference period. Pick whatever you want; results will be roughly the same. The only real difference is that one takes longer to install / clean than the other and the chances of hydro lock are next to zero. If you want I'll post some datalog's proving this point as soon as I get another dashawk and or AP.

[ryans88gt]

Originally Posted by ms3077 Those 2-4 degrees cooler temps once gone thru the turbo amount to dick. And yes even while traveling just 30mph or whatever TEMPS go right back down. There ISN'T a substantial difference period. Pick whatever you want; results will be roughly the same. The only real difference is that one takes longer to install / clean than the other and the chances of hydro lock are next to zero. If you want I'll post some datalog's proving this point as soon as I get another dashawk and or AP.

Sure post some datalogs of IAT for both during regular street driving...

Of course a 4th gear pull will result in underhood temps cooling off, but what about autocross speeds?

Hotter going in = hotter coming out. Compressing hotter air is also less efficient. Not a good argument.

As far as hydrolock, you'd have to be mentally retarded as someone above says to hydrolock a car with a CAI. I've had one on my tibby for 7 years driven in all sorts or torrential downpours, blizzards, and the like and never had a single issue.

My 89 mustang that didn't have fenderwell liners did get the filter wet enough that the maf started to get wet and misfired once or twice before I put the wheel liners back in.... far from a hydro lock though...

random thoughts....

[ms3077]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt Sure post some datalogs of IAT for both during regular street driving... Of course a 4th gear pull will result in underhood temps cooling off, but what about autocross speeds? Hotter going in = hotter coming out. Compressing hotter air is also less efficient. Not a good argument. As far as hydrolock, you'd have to be mentally retarded as someone above says to hydrolock a car with a CAI. I've had one on my tibby for 7 years driven in all sorts or torrential downpours, blizzards, and the like and never had a single issue. My 89 mustang that didn't have fenderwell liners did get the filter wet enough that the maf started to get wet and misfired once or twice before I put the wheel liners back in.... far from a hydro lock though... random thoughts....

Didn't I just say 30mph or whatever? Meaning it doesn't really matter; once moving forward temps drop. The couple degrees cooler temps going thru to turbo ISN'T going to amount to dick once all said and done like I said. And hydro lock can be a real issue rather you want to believe it or not. Say you’re out driving around a part of town your not to familiar late at night on a rainy day. Boom! That’s all it takes; you drive through a puddle you “think” isn’t deep because you can’t see. You don't have to be "mentally retarded" to do that. If you lived in my neck of the woods you'd know this.

The shit can and does happen. But yeah you can just do a search for CAI vs. SRI and read though countless pages of basically the same shit every ones been saying or you can just accept the fact it don’t really matter if it’s a CAI or SRI. If you’re truly concerned with intake temps you should get a FMIC otherwise we’re talking #’s not substantial enough to even warrant a discussion. You’re going to get heat soak all the hell regardless due to the stock TMIC; the couple degree difference from the intake isn’t going to matter.

This has been beat to death and back.

[8.5MS3]

Originally Posted by ryans88gt Sure post some datalogs of IAT for both during regular street driving... Of course a 4th gear pull will result in underhood temps cooling off, but what about autocross speeds? Hotter going in = hotter coming out. Compressing hotter air is also less efficient. Not a good argument. As far as hydrolock, you'd have to be mentally retarded as someone above says to hydrolock a car with a CAI. I've had one on my tibby for 7 years driven in all sorts or torrential downpours, blizzards, and the like and never had a single issue. My 89 mustang that didn't have fenderwell liners did get the filter wet enough that the maf started to get wet and misfired once or twice before I put the wheel liners back in.... far from a hydro lock though... random thoughts....

I have autoX'd my car for the last 2 seasons. IAT's are the last thing you should be worried about. Your intercooler is being heat soaked like all hell. Ive seen my BAT's climb over 130 between runs and it only gets worse as the day goes on. a CAI is going to have 0 effect on reducing this. I bring a mister with me for the TMIC and that helps considerably.

food for thought

[Sacrilicious]

if you want first person accounts of datalogs and the like, feel free to use the search option. ms3077 pointed you in the right direction, and it's now your turn to do some legwork to confirm whether he's right or wrong.

[djthom]

I got a CP-e Nano up for sale. very lightly used @ 150 shipped! PM me if interested!

[karl-hungus]

mods, for xmas, can we merge this w/ the gen1 vs gen2 posts and shove a coat hanger up it?

[NRSpeed]

Originally Posted by djthom I got a CP-e Nano up for sale. very lightly used @ 150 shipped! PM me if interested!

I think due to recent events (see here for details) that buying through PMs right now wouldnt be a good idea.

Link to For Sale thread rather then just "PM me"

[djthom]

Originally Posted by NRSpeed I think due to recent events (see here for details) that buying through PMs right now wouldnt be a good idea. Link to For Sale thread rather then just "PM me"

am i glock?

just cause one dbag pulled a fast one doesn't mean someone else will. all my sales are legit.

[cageyvet]

I like the sri more due to the ease of removing the filter