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Cai Question..


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anybody on this board have a CAI with a bypass valve?? anyway, my question is...what is a bypass valve? i heard it functions as a way to keep water from entering into the intake and entering your engine. what does this bypass look like?? i want to get one for my car (see vigor section) but scared because it floods here in houston so i was kinda skeptical about getting one. does it really work?

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so basically its saying that if water gets in the intake...the bypass closes up (so water can't get through) and when it does closes up...it sucks air from the outter side of the bypass instead of within the intake????? :crazy:

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Yes, I think it works when water gets in your intake, the pressure changes and intake than draws air through the bypass valve. If you live where it never rains, I wouldn't recommend getting one as they do reduce power. I've been told that adding the bypass valve basically eliminates the benefits of having a cai. In other words, the cai adds HP's and they bypass takes them away again.

Trepid and I installed a cai on his civic. No valve as it rarely every rains around here. The sound is intense and I'm sure it adds a few hp's.

I've also heard people who don't use the valve in rainy weather and have had no problems. But if you get water in your engine, then that is not good at all. It's up to you. Just stay away from the big puddles. :p

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well, it doesnt take away the benefits of a CAI. it stays open when the filter isnt covered in water. so, it's the same as the 3" pipe. if the filter sucks in water, then it closes and acts as a filter under the hood. basically a regular warm air intake. but that's better then water ingestion. it's not like i'm going to need maximum performance when the streets are flooded.

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so basically its saying that if water gets in the intake...the bypass closes up (so water can't get through) and when it does closes up...it sucks air from the outter side of the bypass instead of within the intake????? :crazy:

so was i right?? once the bypass closes, it has to suck in air from somewhere, right? so it sucks air from the outter side of the round bypass thingy?

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No, its referred to as a "cold air intake"

 

because instead of the filter being situationed next to/near the distributor inside the engine bay, additional longer tubing extends the filter into the wheel well, or right behind ur front bumper.

 

The idea is that ambient air temps behind the bumper is "cooler" than underhood air temps, and since cold air is denser, and more air + fuel = more power, it gives u a gain.

 

Since the filter is right by the wheel and front bumper, driving over a puddle and water splashing up while air is being sucked thru would cause water to get into the motor and cause hydrolock.

 

Personally, i think most of the gains people get from a "cold air intake" is just from the fact that they're switching from a paper to a free flowing filter, such as a K&N, plus, they are using a smoother and wider intake tube...

 

Besides, like i said, once the car is in motion, underhood air temps are barely any higher than the temp where CAI filters sit. Its only when the car is standing still that underhood temps tend to be higher than in the bumper or wheel well

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