Page 1 of 1

intake question

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:07 am
by LectricBlu05sxt
so, i was wonderin what would be a better option for my 05 sxt, should I buy a CAI or just a K&N filter? cuz i heard that some people didn't feel much difference from one to the other, and i wanted ta lower her a bit with the money i was gonna use for the CAI. so what should i do?

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:46 am
by Diablo0
I'd say for now just buy the K&N and remove the resonator box in the fender well thats in front of the drivers side front wheel behind the fog light hole. That'll give just about the same sound and feeling until you can buy a CAI if you decide you want one.

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:58 am
by yellowpatrol
Is there a difference in performance?

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 9:52 am
by 00element10
depends on what you buy

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:48 am
by koreysxt
I've used both. Here's my non-scientific opinion:

Iceman CAI: Very loud roar at WOT. Improved gas mileage slightly. Have to be careful with puddles. Provides a nice seat-of-the-pants boost around 4000 RPM. Seems peaky.

Drop-in (large S&B in stock air box/fender box removed). Less noise. Provides more linear acceleration, but you miss that extra boost at the higher RPMs. May provide better lower RPM response.

Take it for what it's worth. I've gone back and forth a few times. I removed my CAI b4 winter because I need a new filter anyway, and we often get a lot of deep slush.

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:54 am
by KrackstaR
CAI FTW

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:23 pm
by refect
:sign3:

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:29 pm
by koreysxt
Also, if you purchase a CAI with metal piping, you'll probably experience the "foghorn" on occasion. Very annoying. I had this on my e-bay CAI.

Iceman FTW!

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:18 pm
by jonnymopar
koreysxt wrote:Iceman FTW!
:withstupid:

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:38 pm
by LectricBlu05sxt
well, i think ima go for the filter for right now, but i plan on goin for the CAI. thanks for the input

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:15 am
by welchspro
koreysxt wrote:Also, if you purchase a CAI with metal piping, you'll probably experience the "foghorn" on occasion. Very annoying. I had this on my e-bay CAI.

Iceman FTW!

Do they still make the iceman intake?

My AEM used to do the foghorn, i just bent the bracket that connects to the battery tray so the intake didn't rest so close to the liner. havent heard it since.


I like the CAI personally, for looks and performance.

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:52 am
by LectricBlu05sxt
well, if i got a CAI, would the NGC restrict the power gain, or what?

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 4:50 am
by yellowpatrol
LectricBlu05sxt wrote:well, if i got a CAI, would the NGC restrict the power gain, or what?
Lectric, read up on this topic: LINK. I asked the very same question and got some excellent responses.

To quote;
NGC does indeed exist as a program in our computer. there are direct references to it in the FSM. whether or not its true that NGC can "override" mods is whats up in the air. any modern computer controlled car is designed to learn what the drivers habits are and adjust accordingly, as well as adjust to climate, conditions, and other variables. the NGC controller is no different. cars use long term and short term fuel trim to adjust for emissions and fuel mileage, and they use inputs from TPS and other sensors to determine engine response based on driver demand.
Adding something like a cold air intake, for example, isnt going to make huge gains on our cars, because the stock system already does its job well; it really doesnt have anything to do with the PCM. A CAI will allow cooler, better flowing air into the intake manifold. This will cause the IAT (intake air temperature) sensor to read lower temps, which in turn allows a more aggressive fuel/timing map, making a bit more power in certain ranges. simple as that. People make NGC out to be a big mystery, when its really not that amazing. just technology getting better.
Just go to that topic and read it the whole way through and you'll get more than enough information.

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 1:52 am
by OB
I always suggest the K&N CAI cuz it comes with the $50 filter that you'd buy as a drop in anyway. Thats one thing it has on the others IMO, plus it looks and performs just as good, and has some cool features like the water resistant rain boot and of course the CARB EO sticker (making it legal in all fitty states). Thats my 2cents! a drop in is a good way to go if you dont have much money though.

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:14 am
by yellowpatrol
Anybody have links to some sites to buy quality, yet afforable CAIs? & NOT eBay...

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:23 am
by kc2005ptgt
http://www.modernperformance.com

That's a great site for neons, as well as howell automotive, but I hate that place because their customer service sucks, so if you want to check out their website you are going to have to use google to find it. :D

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 8:14 pm
by LectricBlu05sxt
thanks guys, yeah, if i do get a CAI i plan on goin for a K&N. does anyone know of anywhere i can get some lowering springs for cheap?

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:03 pm
by refect
LectricBlu05sxt wrote:thanks guys, yeah, if i do get a CAI i plan on goin for a K&N. does anyone know of anywhere i can get some lowering springs for cheap?
browse teh forum there is probably someone selling them for cheap. if not you can always get some nice new springs in the low 100 price range. check srtforums too for people selling springs since theirs work on our cars too.

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 12:56 am
by LectricBlu05sxt
oh yeah, good call, i forgot about srt forums. well actually 03_sxt wants ta sell me his used Dropzones for $25

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:29 am
by OB
^sounds like a damn good deal. Be sure to look into some aftermarket struts when thinking of lowering your car as well. A cars standard struts arent designed for the increased spring-rates or lower height, and they're known to live significantly shorter lives because of it. Also look into an alignment kit (camber adjustability, mainly) because youll find it difficult to realign the car to specs after lowering it without some form of correction.

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 3:00 pm
by LectricBlu05sxt
k, ill look for some cheap struts and an alignment kit. about how much do they run for?

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:50 pm
by scneonchic
welchspro wrote:Do they still make the iceman intake?

My AEM used to do the foghorn, i just bent the bracket that connects to the battery tray so the intake didn't rest so close to the liner. havent heard it since.


I like the CAI personally, for looks and performance.
no they dont.