cold air intake - Hyundai Performance Forums

opee9981 · 07-08-2004, 10:38 AM

I have been hearing from alot of people that a cold air intake on you car in the winter is bad for the engine. Anybody know this for sure? Also, what makes the aem intake better than the rest. This is the only one i hear recommended on this site. What is the best exhaust system also?

I ran a intake, headers, exhaust, and big bore throttle body on my 01 saturn sport coupe through 2 summers and 1 winter with no problem. (other than no power from the piece of shit car)

Thanks for your help in advance

By the way, i went to trade my car in last week but it made me realize that i cannot part with it. shes my baby!

AUTOBOT · 07-08-2004, 10:54 AM

You shouldn't have any problems running a CAI in the winter. Plenty of people do it who live in colder climates and I have yet to hear of a problem from it.

What makes the AEM better....Well, I guess the fact that it has shown the best gains on a dyno make it better.

shoguntib · 07-12-2004, 03:03 AM

The temperature will have no damaging effect to your intake. Actually I'm sure you know that the colder air in the winter helps the intake perform even better.

The elements that come with the snow are another story. If you have a reusable paper type filter the salt laid on the street could build up ( when the snow has almost completely melted the residue on the street is like pure salt water ) and collect in the grooves of the filter and actually disinigrate the filter pretty quickly. Also in thick snow, the snow that collects on the filter will eventually saturate the filter ( hydrolock!!! ) and let water in through your TB throught the intake manifold and into the block. Taht's very bad.

You need to make sure you keep the intake clean and oil it often ( weekly ) during the winter time. Or if you get the Injen CAI like I have you can just take out the CAI extension and run a ram air intake during the winter months and worry about nothing. Not saying the AEM can't be adjusted, I'm sure it's a two tube design also.

an1m3_fr3ak · 06-02-2005, 07:23 PM

heres a question, i heard that if you go over a puddle and water gets in the filter it can seize/screw up your engine...any truth to this?

kb5133 · 06-02-2005, 08:23 PM

If you suck up water through the filter you can hydrolock your engine. You pretty much have to submerge the cone for an extended period to get it to suck up water. That's using a K&N filter (Can't vouch for other filters/cheapo ones act more like sponges than filter). The simple solution is to install a bypass valve on the intake which will open up in the event the filter is submerged and pull in air "bypassing" the filter. $40 worth of prevention against a few grand to replace your engine seems pretty simple. Hell I'll give you mine. It's still in the box. Bought but never installed. I just use common sense and stay out of the puddles!

a_gut · 06-02-2005, 11:48 PM

I know a cheaper solution to preventing hydrolock: don't drive through water 12+ inches

an1m3_fr3ak · 06-03-2005, 03:10 AM

I wasnt sure if it was even possible...I figured my dad told me that cuz he didnt want me to get it lol. Old man doesnt realize the power of the internet. Anyways thanks alot.

Neotrix666 · 06-06-2005, 10:11 PM

from personal experience, it can happen, and it can happen in a hell of a lot less than a foot of water. aem put the damn filter right inside the front left tire almost hitting the ground. if you go through a big enough puddle water will, WILL get into the engine and shut it off. my car has locked up on me four times (i live in south florida, it rains every damn day in the summer). when it happened i just waited ten or fifteen minutes and it started right back up. word to the wise, if your going to get a cai, get the bypass valve!!!