Cold Air Intake and Water/Snow?

[CB7Nub]

I know it's bad to have water going into the water, but lets use really life scenarios. Heavy rain, light rain, medium snow? I would have a mesh cover or something protecting the filter from gunk.

How would it work? It doesn't really rain that much but when it does happen here in Toronto.

Is it worth it to go CAI for the extra power vs the SRI?

[Fiveiron_42]

I know AEM makes a CAI that has a bypass valve that opens when the filter sucks in water...

[Hondapawa]

I say go SRI. Louder, Cheaper and wont feel a big difference.

[MikeW]

This had been covered tons of times. Engine bay temps arent really as hot as everyone thinks. And if you live somewhere that it rains alot or frequently, it'll be wiser to just get the SRI.

[wherm]

never had a problem with my cold air intake the couple winters I actually drove it through. Really only have to watch for deep puddles.

[BIGsnorlax]

never had a problem with my cold air intake the couple winters I actually drove it through. Really only have to watch for deep puddles.

I have to say the same... when i was 16 and stupid and thought that CAI from ebay was giving me stupid amounts of power i never had a problem with it. When it rained i never did anything different, no large puddles though... i never heard about the dangers untill i stopped being 16 and stupid ha. I junked it and went to stock, if you ask me, a ~50$ intake that may pick up 2 more hp isnt worth trashing a hundred dollar engine

[deevergote]

You have to submerge the pipe in water for there to be any damage.

Otherwise, it's like holding a drinking straw above a glass and expecting to suck up liquid.

A CAI will give more power overall than a short ram, but the amount isn't all that significant.

[bcjammerx]

You have to submerge the pipe in water for there to be any damage.

Otherwise, it's like holding a drinking straw above a glass and expecting to suck up liquid.

A CAI will give more power overall than a short ram, but the amount isn't all that significant.

I would add to just make sure your filter isn't RIGHT AT THE GROUND...just get the filter out of the engine bay. I've seen some that are flush with the bottom of the bumper and that's not needed. Also make sure you still have your fender well plastic trim in place. There are holes in the frame near the stock box...have the filter on the other side of those holes...gtg

[deevergote]

Absolutely. That is very true.

There's not a whole lot of room down there, and you often need to make the hole wide enough not just to fit the pipe, but also the filter neck (which is often about 1/4" thick all around). The extra 2" that the filter is raised when installed properly can make a big difference. That's a 2" difference in puddle depth that you're safe in.

I've had a CAI with no bypass valve since 2003. I live in the swamplands of NJ. I've never had a problem. I'd say part of it is good fortune, but it's also partially just being aware of road conditions. In heavy rain, know the roads you drive on. If you see a puddle and you're not sure of the depth... don't go through it. To hydrolock, a puddle would have to be quite deep. CAI or not, you shouldn't be driving through puddles that deep anyway! Anything deep enough to submerge a properly installed filter in your fender would also be deep enough to submerge your exhaust, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter (submerging these very hot components in cold water could cause damage), bumper lights, brakes...