I have just a regular short ram and I was thinking of upgrading to a cold air intake. A few things that really concerns me though, I'm really scared of sucking in water or major particles onto my throttle body, I know that's what the filter is for, but I can't help wonder because the filter is OUT of the engine bay and closer to the ground. I saw my cousin's CAI setup on his Accord and that shit looks way too close to the ground. Plus, I'm planning on lowering my car, already have 17's, and that will make it EVEN closer to the ground. Are the gains that much more noticable if you changed from a short ram to a CAI??? My cousin had a short ram before he got the CAI and he said he felt just a little gain but not much, but then again, it's from a different engine. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, although, i hope someone will reply that had a short ram before they got a CAI and share there experiences. Oh yeah, I've heard about that bypass thingie from AEM and I've also heard that it actually restricts air flow a little. If I decided to stay with a short ram, I was thinking about upgrading to a BETTER short ram like that RS Akimoto with the 'Funnel Ram'. The short ram I have is from Matrix. Thanks guys....


P.S. Does anybody have a pic of how close their CAI filter to the ground??? I saw some one here with a picture of it a while back and it seemed like it was snug just behind the stock foglight position. I guess that'll protect it somewhat.

Kris
"Someday............I'll have traction problems!!!!"
Tampa, FL
Pinoy Turbo 2GNT

1999 HRC Turbo RS
Stage 2
Auto with BOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have an iceman cai and it can also be used as a short stack design too, i don't notice that much of a difference when i switch to the cai extension. if any it actually decreases low torque with the longer pipe, thats what ive found, as far as being low and sucking things into the engine, my car is lowered approx 3 inches and i drive in hard rain etc. with it and haven't had any problems, sure the filter gets a little dirtier.
as far as sucking water into the engine, the whole filter has to be submerged in water for it to start sucking water in. so unless you use the eclipse as a submarine don't worry bout it.

1998 dodge avenger 4 cyl AT
Mods are:
Not enough

i've read up on cai systems, and i've found that most of the guys and gals that have it, say that you don't have to worry about driving in heavy rain or anything like that. what you do have you be weary of is driving through a puddle. thats when you'll get screwed. anyway, i also just read that a bypass valve can help in preventing water from getting in. any additional feedback on this guys? haven't read too much about that.

additionally, i'm looking to get my cai down the road. i'm looking to get an aem. i posted a question regarding which brand is better. if you'd like, check it out here:
http://www.2gnt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1905&forum=DCForumID13

Dexter Gonzalez

1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS
-B&M "The Edge" short shifter
-blue painted front & rear brake calipers

dgonzalez52@yahoo.com

I just recently switched to a cai and noticed a difference that was pretty good to me(I notice the slightest improvements in my car though)did not regret it one bit, and for the price I got it for (180 shipped) go figure.
Get it if you have money to spend and since you have a short ram switch back in the winter that way you dont have to worry.

LAST EDITED ON 18-Jul-01 AT 04:03 PM (PST)

The CAI is a MAJOR concern in Florida. EVERY TIME IT RAINS the roads are in 3+ inches of rain. You hit deep spots of 6 inches or so if you are not careful. You have to either get a 2 piece cold air intake or CUT your cold air in 2 pieces. Have an extra filter an when it is going to rain, loosen the clamp and pull off the extension and stick the extra filter on the shorter pipe. I just bought my CAI for $90 on EBAY as RobotechDSM knows. . .it is a 2 piece design and I WILL have another filter for it.



KYB AGX Struts
Neuspeed Sport Springs
5 Strut Bars (2 F/U, F/L, R/U, R/L)
Sprint Front Camber Kit
$15 Rear Camber Kit
Ported Intake Manifold
Ported Throttle Body
Custom 2 1/4 inch exhaust
Empty Catalytic Convertor
225/50/16inch Wheels and Tires

Flame Red SRT-4 GT40,8.5:1 Built Shortblock, Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams, etc etc etc...

What about sucking in more dirt, since it is outside and closer the the ground??? Sadly enough, no air filter is 100% efficient of getting dirt out. For the guys with the CAI, did you notice how dirty the inside ouf your piping and also your throttle plate??? Thanks.

Kris
"Someday............I'll have traction problems!!!!"
Tampa, FL
Pinoy Turbo 2GNT

1999 HRC Turbo RS
Stage 2
Auto with BOOST!!!!!!!!!!!!

for me the cai helps a lot. the only track here is a 1/8 mile and i ran high 11 low 12 with the short, and high 9 low 10 with the cold air.

You should be alright with a CAI if your careful. I live in Florida and also have skunk2 coilovers installed set as low as they can go so the filter is pretty low to the ground. I have had my AEM CAI for over a year now and no problems as of yet. Just dont make stupid decisions and drive into a puddle that you dont know how deep it is, you only suck up water if the filter is submerged in the water.

1999 Eclipse RS (all show)
1990 Turbo Eclipse (race)

Where did you get your skunk2's and how much did they cost you?



KYB AGX Struts
Neuspeed Sport Springs
5 Strut Bars (2 F/U, F/L, R/U, R/L)
Sprint Front Camber Kit
$15 Rear Camber Kit
Ported Intake Manifold
Ported Throttle Body
Custom 2 1/4 inch exhaust
Empty Catalytic Convertor
225/50/16inch Wheels and Tires

Flame Red SRT-4 GT40,8.5:1 Built Shortblock, Brian Crower Stage 2 Cams, etc etc etc...

I got them from my local shop by my house by the name of Streetheat Performance. Sorry i Cant remember what I paid for them but let me look around my room i might be able to find my bill for them i think it was a little over $300 but i got them when they first came out for the eclipse i have noticed that the price has fallen though so my price probably is not acurate. I am very happy with them though, they are worth the extra money though, they ride really smooth compared to most springs out there on the market, plus the car looks bad as shit hugin the ground.

1999 Eclipse RS (all show)
1990 Turbo Eclipse (race)