Thread: CAI vs WAI: Myth?

Hey,
Doing some research on this and Im still doubtful about the gains of WAI over a CAI. Until last week I was convinced that WAI is the way to go... then I saw the dyno of the 231whp VVL by Jun... Im aware it was a spike but it still did well and I wonder if the CAI resulted more power than the WAI causing them to choose the CAI.

The typical setup chooses WAI because people have said, ie. never seen proof, that the WAI yeilds a quicker 1/4 mile...

I dont have a CAI so I cannot test back to back, what are yalls take on the topic?

Why not CAI on the 1/4?

You can build a cai for next to nothing and test it. clamps couplers pipe. Borrow one from someone. See what you think.

I think Jun/Kesi and those LI guys run a modified CAI where it goes inward under the battery tray inside the frame rail and in front of the tranny. Its total length is in between the traditional WAI and CAI. I always liked WAI personally w/ pop charger when possible. HS cai is my fav, but you most likely need to bump fuel pressure a bit for best top end power. Depends on the setup but a Calum RT would be a big help for tuning either way.

due to where i live(south florida=Rain) i think a CAI will due me no good due to fear of sucking up a ton of water. although when i had my 99 Maxima it had a CAI and i loved it...

What I have noticed on my car with the WAI, is better midrange response (more torque, butt dyno), with the CAI theres a noticeable top end improvement and because I have the wideband always connected to the car I noticed that the AFR goes a little bit lean (CAI) like a .4 difference on the AF reading

CAI does have more power than wai. Its been dyno proven.

Its somewhere on SE-R.net

Yeah, those results are for a de not ve. The wai gives better power under the curve hence quicker quarter-mile times. If you want peak power, go get a civic b16 motor.

ive read also that the wai gains were greater then a cai.....on a dyno. my question is, and this may sound very noobish. doesnt a cai intake on a dyno defeat the purpose of a cold air intake??? how are you getting cold air sitting in one spot?? i know that there might be fans, but i dont think that couldnt really simulate cold air while driving. sorry if this sounds stupid, but it makes sense to me.

If you test it on the dyno and leave the hood up you won't see a difference with the cold air vs warm. Close the hood and let the motor suck in some hot engine air to see if it makes a difference.

the CAI vs WAI thing is a hard debate. some cars respond to things different than others. the length of the intake pipe can play a difference on power out put or where you make power. its like your header different length pipe has a different resonance. as to what one is better only way to know is test it on your car.

I didn't think anyone was claiming a WAI was better?