[freni322]

why do people buy the MAC CAI? Doesnt metal conduct heat? Therefore makes the air passing through hot...? Why not go with plastic K&N CAI...? Also why put on an intake system if you have stock headers, K&N filter does fine with air silencer off right....? Always wondered this...... why people do that....?

[James232v6]

Originally Posted by freni322

why do people buy the MAC CAI? Doesnt metal conduct heat? Therefore makes the air passing through hot...? Why not go with plastic K&N CAI...? Also why put on an intake system if you have stock headers, K&N filter does fine with air silencer off right....? Always wondered this...... why people do that....?

The air travels at such a high velocity, the heat transfered from solid (metal)to gas (air) is negligable, although, it does happen. It raises the temp by a fraction of a degree.

The metal ones are primarily for looks - btw, dont waste your money on a MAC, buy an ebay brand - they are exactly the same thing- Like buying a store brand.

Do you have a v8 or v6? If you have a v6, removing the air silencer hurts performance.

A CAI doesnt change the amount of air entering your system that much to warrant a new set of headers.

REPEAT: CAI's are mostly for looks! You get small HP and Torque gains (3-5 HP and 7-10lbs torque) But they look sweet when you pop the hood up!

-James232v6

[James232v6]

btw, i have a CAI...never would go back!

Youd want something like this - although youd want your year and engine size. Just showing u what an ebay one looks like.

Ebay CAI

-James232v6

[tire]

plastic/composite/carbon fiber cai's do help with reducing AIT's. the intakes stay hot a lot longer than the thin cai... so when i run the car it is cold from the intakes out... but for driving around, it's hot as hell. header wrap would help that though.

[James232v6]

Originally Posted by tire

header wrap would help that though.

He's right, but then it would cover that shiny metal piping!

[The Diesel]

I have the BBK fenderwell and i love it. Its metal but it still works fine. It also looks cool when you pop hood.

[tire]

Originally Posted by James232v6

He's right, but then it would cover that shiny metal piping!

i was meaning the header wrap to go on the headers... it'll lower all round temps, but some insulation on the intake/piping does help too... it's not cheap though, go look on summit for intake insulation.

[Hammered]

Originally Posted by tire

i was meaning the header wrap to go on the headers... it'll lower all round temps, but some insulation on the intake/piping does help too... it's not cheap though, go look on summit for intake insulation.

Steeda sells sheets of heat reflective material that sticks on one side...so i have been thinking about doing just the underside of my CAI

[TrueBlueVenom]

Exhaust sounded deeper after I threw on my MAC CAI (on my GT). and it's purty. hehe.

changing one part of induction won't make much of a difference if other parts aren't replaced (i.e. TB, plenum). Performance is only as good as its' weakest link. I swapped out all three and opened up the exhaust (catback and h-pipe).

[VENOMM]

Originally Posted by 2002stangGT

Exhaust sounded deeper after I threw on my MAC CAI (on my GT). and it's purty. hehe.

changing one part of induction won't make much of a difference if other parts aren't replaced (i.e. TB, plenum). Performance is only as good as its' weakest link. I swapped out all three and opened up the exhaust (catback and h-pipe).

whats your car sound like now

[James232v6]

Originally Posted by tire

i was meaning the header wrap to go on the headers... it'll lower all round temps, but some insulation on the intake/piping does help too... it's not cheap though, go look on summit for intake insulation.

[aggiedj02]

so I came in here to ask a question about this exact post... so I will just ask it here as it relates to this topic (I will start another one if need be):

I am looking at getting an intake system, but am having a hard time deciding?

Is a MAF system better. or a fenderwell setup like the MAC setup, or is it even worth it if I am not going to upgrade the plenum/TB and fuel map to accomodate the better breathing?

Would I be better off getting a o/r x-pipe or catted x-pipe with LT's???

[tire]

most of the gains you get are from isolating the air filter away fromt he engine bay where it's hot. so what i'm saying is the MAF to fenderwell piping is what matters. do you want looks or performance more? the plastic densecharger kind don't heat up like the metal ones but they are "ugly" to most people. your 4.6 won't benefit much from a larger MAF/TB unless you're going power adder.

as for the exhuast, a catless system always sounds nastier (raspy, bad) than a catted midpipe. i've heard 2v and 4v with and without and even a 4v before and after within 30 minutes to compare. cats sound a lot better. they also rob power, but if you got the money for hi flo cats, why not be legal and sound better? and LT's are win. :jeff:

[Hammered]

Originally Posted by aggiedj02

Is a MAF system better. or a fenderwell setup like the MAC setup, or is it even worth it if I am not going to upgrade the plenum/TB and fuel map to accomodate the better breathing?

by MAF you mean open air as opposed to the inner finder style...Either will work great if your car is tuned for it. If you have BIG cubic inches you need an open filter to get enough air. but if your running a stock motor, either will work. The inner finder type get a little more HP gains on the stock motor by leining it out. but if your car is tuned you can make either work the same..So bang for buck if your not going to tune your car..is the inner fender kit...If your goning to tune...get the open style..