My hare-brained CAI theory

[Goldmember]

I've had my CAI on for about a month now (BBK with brand new K&N filter). I liked the better throttle response at first but have found it to be hardly any louder than the stock rubber intake tube, and without a change in driving style (occasional WOT, otherwise pretty conservative) I think it's costing me 1-2 MPG. Before the CAI I was managing ~20-21 MPG; now, a steady 18 or so and nothing else has changed other than I'm not commuting to class (summer break)

I would imagine the CAI heat-soaks a lot more than the stock tube would, maybe this is why?

In any case, I'm going to take it off and see if I get that mileage back. Meantime watch the classifieds for a CAI F/S lol

Thoughts?

 

[bottlefed97]

You're driving a Mustang... don't worry about the loss of 3 mpg lol

 

[McGarrh]

You're driving a Mustang... don't worry about the loss of 3 mpg lol

+1

 

[Javi]

Gold miembro dont expect good mileage out of a V8 Now days

 

[Goldmember]

Gold miembro dont expect good mileage out of a V8 Now days

I'm not complaining about the lack of fuel economy, or I'd go buy a Civic. I'm simply questioning why, all other things being equal, my MPG dropped and all I can think is the CAI is the reason.

The best MPG I had with this car was 28 on a road trip a couple months ago. Our cars can put good numbers down...

 

[Javi]

Gold miembro dont expect good mileage out of a V8 Now days

I'm not complaining about the lack of fuel economy, or I'd go buy a Civic. I'm simply questioning why, all other things being equal, my MPG dropped and all I can think is the CAI is the reason.

The best MPG I had with this car was 28 on a road trip a couple months ago. Our cars can put good numbers down...

never said you were complaining bro. when was the last time you did a tune up?

Low MPG can be cause for several factor weight,system malfunction,A/C, etc,etc........

 

[AaRoN]

Gold miembro dont expect good mileage out of a V8 Now days

I'm not complaining about the lack of fuel economy, or I'd go buy a Civic. I'm simply questioning why, all other things being equal, my MPG dropped and all I can think is the CAI is the reason.

The best MPG I had with this car was 28 on a road trip a couple months ago. Our cars can put good numbers down...

OR, something may need some maintenance (I.E. MAF, t/b, etc.)

 

[Javi]

Gold miembro dont expect good mileage out of a V8 Now days

I'm not complaining about the lack of fuel economy, or I'd go buy a Civic. I'm simply questioning why, all other things being equal, my MPG dropped and all I can think is the CAI is the reason.

The best MPG I had with this car was 28 on a road trip a couple months ago. Our cars can put good numbers down...

OR, something may need some maintenance (I.E. MAF, t/b, etc.)

:thumb:

 

[5.Woahhh]

The aluminum CAI's do get alot hotter. My friend with the Cobra had one and said it would get so hot you couldn't touch it. He bought a WMS one and loves it.


Just my .02

 

[Lightning Struck]

The aluminum CAI's do get alot hotter. My friend with the Cobra had one and said it would get so hot you couldn't touch it. He bought a WMS one and loves it.


Just my .02

I agree, aluminum will absorb heat and suck it right into the intake.

 

[Goldmember]

The aluminum CAI's do get alot hotter. My friend with the Cobra had one and said it would get so hot you couldn't touch it. He bought a WMS one and loves it.


Just my .02

I agree, aluminum will absorb heat and suck it right into the intake.

And that is what I think the issue is.

As far as tune-up items I keep up on that:
New Autolite single-plats last fall (10K ago)
Oil change 1000 miles ago
New fuel filter last fall
MAF cleaned over Memorial Day weekend
New Accel wires/ Duralast coilpacks (Oh Crap... as I typed this... Could the wires be the cause for the drop?)
All O2's replaced last fall when the exhaust was done
IAC will need replaced soon. Car sometimes needs an extra second or two to crank when cold
So yeah, everything is up to date. Only major thing I've yet to do is a liberal Seafoaming (or GM Top Engine Cleaner). Have had good luck with it in the past

I'm obsessive about maintenance.

 

[19mustang95]

CAI are fucking garbage.. i lost a few mph from going to my BBK after switching from my stock upper->maf->filter setup...i wasn't pleased.

 

[Goldmember]

CAI are ******* garbage.. i lost a few mph from going to my BBK after switching from my stock upper->maf->filter setup...i wasn't pleased.

I'm not crazy after all! Thanks for posting this, I'm putting the stock stuff back on this weekend.

 

[CC'S95GT]

try to clean the maf first

 

[Goldmember]

The aluminum CAI's do get alot hotter. My friend with the Cobra had one and said it would get so hot you couldn't touch it. He bought a WMS one and loves it.


Just my .02

I agree, aluminum will absorb heat and suck it right into the intake.

And that is what I think the issue is.

As far as tune-up items I keep up on that:
New Autolite single-plats last fall (10K ago)
Oil change 1000 miles ago
New fuel filter last fall
MAF cleaned over Memorial Day weekend
New Accel wires/ Duralast coilpacks (Oh Crap... as I typed this... Could the wires be the cause for the drop?)
All O2's replaced last fall when the exhaust was done
IAC will need replaced soon. Car sometimes needs an extra second or two to crank when cold
So yeah, everything is up to date. Only major thing I've yet to do is a liberal Seafoaming (or GM Top Engine Cleaner). Have had good luck with it in the past

I'm obsessive about maintenance.

try to clean the maf first

Did it...

 

[JonBeast]

Just get a better CAI with a plastic tube like a JLT or K&N...BBK FTMFL...plus I think BBK intakes look like chittt :nonono:

 

[ryclef331]

Just get a better CAI with a plastic tube like a JLT or K&N...BBK FTMFL...plus I think BBK intakes look like chittt :nonono:

spend a couple hours and 30 bucks and MAKE YOUR OWN out of a PCV Pipe from lowes.....





















....what do you think those JLT Intakes are made off?

 

[vermilion]

ry x100

 

[02GT]

How could you even do that? Any instructions or people who've did this before on a 4.6?

 

[19mustang95]

Just get a better CAI with a plastic tube like a JLT or K&N...BBK FTMFL...plus I think BBK intakes look like chittt :nonono:

spend a couple hours and 30 bucks and MAKE YOUR OWN out of a PCV Pipe from lowes.....

....what do you think those JLT Intakes are made off?

I think i may do that this week, much straighter airflow than the stock peice. and i can put my nozzle and iat wherever.