is this a bad idea?

[97Lude]

Well since i got my new K&N filter, the plastic cover won't fit over it..so i always had to tape it up, and it finally fell off.
Well here's how my intake sits now, it doesn't rain much in PA, but is it still a bad idea not to have anything blocking it? Does it help or take away power?
thanks
Here are some pics showing its pretty high in the bumper...

[jdm91cb]

if you are really worried about it get the bypass valve from aem should help out

[97Lude]

but that defeats the purpose of the whole cai gains from what i hear

[mrhonda]

Originally posted by 97Lude
but that defeats the purpose of the whole cai gains from what i hear

nope, not at all. It has little rubber flaps inside that are tightly sealed under normal driving conditions. If you hit a puddle of water or something it creates a vacuum inside the intake and pulls the rubber flaps open. So to answer your question.....no, it does not affect anything.....all it is is cheap insurance. Besides, even if it did take away a hp or two, isn't that better than hydrolocking your engine?

[h22sparkle]

just dont drive in deep ass puddles and dont have your car sit so low and you should be straight . If you know which areas have deep puddles ride through it with enough speed and keep you foot on the clutch

[mrhonda]

Originally posted by h22sparkle
If you know which areas have deep puddles ride through it with enough speed and keep you foot on the clutch

It doesn't really matter how careful you are, your engine is still running and still sucking in air.....and it only takes a little bit of water to ruin your engine. How much is a bypass valve....what, like $30-40? How can you go wrong....

[krakakru21]

since we are on the subject of bypass valves i don't think this has ever been asked but can you run a bypass valve if you are running nitrous in the intake tube? or does it not matter?

[krakakru21]

i don't know if this has ever been asked but can you run a bypass valve with the intake if you are running nitrous in the intake tube?

[93accordEX]

I don't see why it would affect it... would probably want to have the nitrous closer to the throttle body then the bypass valve though. My fender liner fell out like almost 2 years ago and I've had a cai the whole time. for those saying it only takes a little bit of water, the bypass valve won't do anything for a little bit of water. it only opens if the filter is basically completely submerged because there has to be a pressure drop enough for the thing to open. also people inject water into their engines to make power so anyways yea in conclusion I wouldn't worry about it.

[arrozburner]

ive had my cai k&n filter exposed to the elements for as long as ivehad it...which is about3 years with no problem yet...i dont think you have much to worry about unless you have to drive through deep puddles or you have to drive into a lake or something...but if you are worried about it just get a bypass vlave for added security...but i have never used one

[Fearit22]

It doesn't take "a little bit of water" to ruin your engine. Your engine can actually withstand a decent bit. There is humidity in the air after all... so it's not like some is going to kill it. If you drive through puddles that are like two feet deep then you have something to worry about. I cut out a little bit where the vents are on the bottom of the car by the filter. I've never had any problems from it.

[Fearit22]

It doesn't take "a little bit of water" to ruin your engine. Your engine can actually withstand a decent bit. There is humidity in the air after all... so it's not like some is going to kill it. If you drive through puddles that are like two feet deep then you have something to worry about. I cut out a little bit where the vents are on the bottom of the car by the filter. I've never had any problems from it.

[punkrockimport]

i ran a bypass valve when i had a car with a cai. im not getting into whether or not it is needed, but i will say that it wont take any power away. and if it does, it could not be more than a horse or maybe even two if that! and people say that eliminates the point of having one at all, i think you got ripped off if your cai wont give more than a 2 horse power gain. picture it this way. look at the ribbed and bent and blcoked up stock airbox and piping. when you make every bit of it smooth as hell(cai)except for abouit 2 inches worth(bypass valve) wouldn't you think it will still flow heavenly amounts better?

[PRIMOCB7]

..i drove like that for 3 years thinking i'll never hit deep water. well thats how i lost my built f22a6 coz of no fender lining.

[Nycxeracer]

Re: is this a bad idea?

Hmm, you think that filter is any better than the closed version of it. I got my cai like 2 years ago, it came w/o that open ended filter. I wonder if it makes any difference. anyone?