cold-air induction: real or hype?

[wamanning]

i'm intrigued by these cold air induction systems, but not sold on them.

do they really deliver instant performance gains? is it noticeable? are we talking 1-2hp, or 5-10hp?

are they as effective @ filtration as the OEM air filter/induction system @ keeping dirt/grime out of the engine?

[ewill3rd]

"cold air" induction by design adds power. Cooler air means more molecules which means more power, the same addage as the old days where there was no substitute for cubic inches. That is also why guys used to drop ice on their intake manifolds and why people install intercoolers.
Most factory designs use air from the engine compartment which is warmer than the ambient air usually.
The only real drawback to "cold air" is that it's usually taken from someplace that is subject to other problem causing things.... like water.
If you relocate the air intake to a place that is suceptible to water intrusion you could experience what we in the biz call "hydro-lock" which by the way usually bends internal engine components.... and that is a best case scenario.

As for horsepower gains, you'd have to read all the propoganda and actually do before and after dyno tests to verify an actual gain.
Some cold air kits can also affect Mass Air Flow readings if not positioned properly. I have heard of some types of GM cars setting MAF codes because the air filter was installed backwards...

[Warez]

Which specific cold air kit are you looking at?

Though I don't beleive you'll see a 10 hp gain on our puny 3L V6's

[wamanning]

Originally Posted by Warez

Which specific cold air kit are you looking at?

Though I don't beleive you'll see a 10 hp gain on our puny 3L V6's

if you have a particular recommendation as being well-made or easy to install or offering better than average water-intrusion-protection, then i'm all ears!

walter

[cat]

sorry i perfer a k&n drop in filter just for a few reasons:

1) i think its a better cold air because it take air from out side the engine bay

2) it does not have that bog noise

3) air clean stay cleaner

[Cat-a-Tonic]

If you really look at how the air gets to the plenum, it makes ya dizzy! I've devised a alternate for the Catera but it's too cold out now to install. The idea is to let the water and debris travell straight though a customized ram air box, 'cause it wants to go in a straight line--- so let it. Plan to mount it in front of the xmission cooler coil. (put a small 'rad' type xmission fluid cooler in mounted to the right of the ram) THe ram intake will build up some pressure when moving down the highway. Then, take off the air from the passanger side into the filter box with 3" diameter of flex hose. The filter box has a drain hole in it that should take care of most of the water that may get sucked in. A good K&N filter will prevent water from getting through just like the screen in a gas can prevents water from going through the filler tube.
Any thoughts?
Jerry O

[AllenPacla]

The Catera already has a cold-air intake built in. There was a thread in this forum that discussed this topic and putting an aftermarket one seems to be a waste of time and money.

[R-Caddy]

Nuh uhhh... My K&N sounds really good I have people asking me about it

[newbee]

what kind of K&N? system or just filter?

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Took a '04 CTS Sport for a ride the other day. Parked it and lifted the hood and guess what? It uses the same '3 point ram air" system that's in the Catera. Hummmm! Oh ya. the CTS goes like stink!! Traction control isn't much better than the Cat though. LOL. Maybe I'll pick one up a used one as a daily driver after I retire. I know!~! some say there's a sucker born every minute. Then,,,, I'm an all day lollipop.
Still I bought the Catera to play with and that's why I like checkin' out this site. Some great advice and guidance out there. Some sites i've visited makes me wonder how inflated one's ego can get before there's blood and guts all over the computer/monitor.
Whew! Now that I got that out of my system I'll return to my usuall nausiating self!! ( I hope you all think I'm kidding.)