Tenblade, who is Russ? Sorry, I'm knew to the board, and couldn't identify anyone named Russ from the posts above. What is his creddn name?

Thanks,
Richard

 

Spelling monster got me just above. Meant to say "what is his screen name?"

Thanks,
Richard

 

Yellow Streak and all. Sorry to be so "gabby", but after reading your post above and viewing pics of an installed PRM unit, I note that the PRM intake is several inches inside the engine bay from the hole to the cavity between bumper and wheel well, from which we wish to draw cool air. With that configuration, I too think that most of the air inducted would be of the hot variety from the engine compartment. However, the PRM looks "cool" and has much 16 year old boy appeal.

The Coastal Metals unit has all the "wow" factor of a dryer vent ! But the flex 3"hose actually drops into and through the hole into the cavity, and could probably be sealed, if desired, to prevent any hot air intake. The hose, however, does not connect to the functional side grill, also suplied with this unit, to prevent induction of water under any circumstances. Considering that this unit is about $100 cheaper than the PRM and others discussed, Side grills included.

What do you all think?

Thanks,
Richard

 

There is MUCH info to be had at this link for prospective CAI purchasers, especially those that have reservations about intakes that terminate inside the engine bay. Always remember that when your car is moving this "magical" spot at the front left of the engine bay isn't as hot as you think. My admittedly poorly calibrated butt dyno readings have made me a very happy man, but my well calibrated ears tell me that the sound difference alone is almost worth the price as well.
Detailed PRM Intake info

 

To all:
I have run the "search" function as has been suggested to me, and can find no comments on performance increases (or lack of them) using the specific COASTAL METALS CIA. so my questions about this are not repetitive. My plans would be to install real operating side vents in place of the fake ones (either Coastal's or some I make myself), along with Coastal's tube from the airbox to the side cavity. I don't contemplate using Coastal's main grill unit, but will leave that stock. If any of you have installed a similar unit, I would apprecieate performance feedback, whether by dyno, timing, or "seat of pants" testing.

Thanks,
Richard

 

Richard, it is my understanding (and I'm a bit of a newb but I read alot here) that there are CAIs and then there are true CAIs. I don't believe the CM CAI (note it is called a Clean Air Intake on the site) qualifies as a true CAI. It is my understanding it would be an improvement to the stock airbox and would provide some ram air benefits at speed, but it's lack of tuning and hoses into (that place) is what places it in a different category than a CAI designed by AEM, Injen or Comptech. Note that it simply extends the intake of the stock box whereas most CAIs replace it. Don't hold me to it and I hope I'm not spreading misinformation but I have recently purchased an Injen knockoff from 4IG2000 (see GB forum) and this is the information I gleaned from my own research before purchase.

 

Bash: You are correct, sir! Coastal Metals does use the term "clean air intake" on their site. I'm a newb too, and now more confused than ever. And the fact that I seemed to find all I needed to make up a kit like this myself a Home Depot today adds to the confusion. So, whatever it is, I ask again, does anybody out there have one of these CM kits installed, and does it do any good performance-wise? And Bash, what did your research show gave the best "bang for the buck" in a CAI that DOES NOT HANG THE FILTER LOW IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT? My local tuner shop wants to install an AEM with a valve to protect against hydrolock. I don't like the sound of this, and want the lilter unit set high.

Thanks,
Richard

 

The bypass valve would certainly protect you from hydrolocking, but it would also pretty much lose you most of whatever gains you received from putting in the CAI in the first place.

 

Richard, here in Colorado rain usually isn't a concern, especially considering the recent drought and the fact that my S2k is pretty much a special purpose car. I've found my special purpose! Anyway, that's a roundabout way of saying I wasn't concerned with hydrolocking so it'd didn't appear on the radar during my search. I wanted for a plain vanilla CAI. For what you get, it appeared to me that all the name brands were gouging. I mean, c'mon, it's a freaking tube with a filter on the end for close to $300?!!. I was simply biding my time for a reasonably priced CAI of any design to come along before I committed. So, when 4IG2000 arranged to have an Ingen copied in Taiwan for $120, I jumped in. Risk? Perhaps. We'll see when the first one arrives and gets installed.

With the heat and altitude here, this past summer showed me that a CAI was imperative for my area. Alot of S2k'rs posted about our cars really dogging during last summer's heatwave. I know mine did and it pissed me off. I think most any of the brandname CAIs is going to get you 90% of the way there in remedying that performance drop on very hot days. If one is slightly better sounding or shows a few extra gains *shrug* it wasn't that big an issue to me. I'm poor, I care nothing for brandnames and I saw the 4IG2000 groupbuy as a cheap way to correct the one glaring omission on our cars. So my priority in purchasing a CAI is in preventing power loss moreso than looking for power gains. But if a gain comes, heh, I won't complain.

Sometime in the next week the first one will arrive and current plans have me meeting up with the first recipient to assist the install before he posts back his fitment and performance evaluation. Unless you're certain deep water is in your future, perhaps you should hold off for the moment until the verdict is in on these CAIs. They reportedly will also accept the standard valve if I were to want that down the road for piece of mind.

But, back to your original question, conspicuous by it's absense during my research was any widespread reporting of hydrolocking risk from the CAIs that hang low. If I recall correctly, most instances occurred in situations where even the stock airbox would have gotten flooded. The PRM did look attractive but I felt it was overpriced like the others.

That's the benefit of what I considered while researching my decision to purchase a CAI.

 

Russ is the s2ki handle of the guy that did all the research on CAI, posted his findings on the PRM (even took engine compartement temp readings) The argument of whether it is a "true" CAI has been already taken place. It only sits about an inch from the airhorn and it does pull cool air.....read the post by "russ". I can also tell you that it passes the but dyno test. Lastly, it pulls air from the same place as the much pricier comptech. In the end, it is up to you, but myself and the others that own the PRM are VERY happy with the results and we NEVER have to sorry about hydrolock. BTW, before my S, I had a moded Corrado and ran with other guys with moded civics, accords, preludes, et al. I have 2 people that hydrolocked with the AEM. just my 2cents.