3rd gen Engine/Drivetrain Engine/Drivetrain Modification Discussions for 1999-2003 Models Only (BJ chassis)

carbon vs steel intake

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Old October-14th-2001, 01:06 AM
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Arrow carbon vs steel intake

thes would be better a carbon fiber cold air intake or the normal cold air

would it make a difficence in power
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Old October-14th-2001, 01:35 AM
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no.
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Old October-14th-2001, 05:05 PM
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i mean which one would be better
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Old October-14th-2001, 07:21 PM
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There is a slight difference.

The idea of putting in a cold air intake (CAI) is to allow the intake to suck in cool air further from the engine and not the hot air inside the engine compartment. The reason that cool air is better is because cool air has a higher density than hot air, so you get more oxygen into the engine (assuming the same flow rate) for better combustion.

That's why i think those people who just use a normal improved intake (NON cold air type -- with the filter cone inside the engine compartment) are just wasting money. Yeah, you might be increasing the flow, but then you're sucking in hot air.

Anyway, back to the issue. Even if you have a cold air intake and suck in cold air right at the filter, it will travel through the pipe. Because the pipe is within the engine compartment, it will be heated up and will get hot/pretty warm. This will in turn heat up the air passing through it and that means you will defeat the purpose getting cool air in the first place. Carbon fiber is a poor conductor of heat while steel is a good conductor. That means that the air passing through will be heated up more with a steel intake compared to a carbon fiber one.

This is only the thoery, but how much difference is another story

If you do get a steel one, you could wrap it with some thermal wrap or insulation of some sort. I personally think the best intake would be made of plastic. It's cheap, light and also quite a good heat insulator, but I don't think they are available
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Old October-14th-2001, 08:25 PM
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I was thinking the same thing about carbon fiber getting less hot. But, I think the air would be flowing so fast that it would make a miniscule amount of difference in the heat of the air. I think the Carbon fiber just looks cool (but some engines would look better with a bright shiny metal one!!) And then the CF is lighter but again, such a small amount it probably wouldnt make a huge difference. I feel that if you just get a good CAI you'll be fine. One that flows the right amount of air & is a true cold air intake (with a good filter on it) will get you all the extra power you need from it.
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Old October-14th-2001, 09:58 PM
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Thumbs up

thanxs guys for your help
i was just asking for your oppinions ,and see which onewould be better and it seems that the carbon fiber intake beat the steel one.once again thanx it really help me out on making a chioes


ps a just bought my on friday and ill be getting it hopfully on thursday


pro 2001 es
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