SRT8 CAI HP Gains - Fact or Fiction?

[Jected]

Funny this comes up again now. I posted the same thing about 2 weeks asking how they benefit the car better and whilst the explainations i got back did seem to justify any gain, i still can't see how a CAI can add an extra 10 - 22 rwhp.

When these dyno test are being carried out, are the bonnets left open or are they closed. If they are left open and you have those big fans blowing cool air in and ALL the engine bay heat straight out, you will definitely see some sort of hp gain. From my understanding of the fan and T/S mod and why people do it is to allow the car to run cooler. Could explain such dramatic gains on a dyno......

But don't they sound good......I love the sound of the couple that i have heard.

[HotRodK]

On a dyno, the hoods are always open and yes, much cooler air is ingested into the CAI. Thats where I believe the extra power is from. It clearly isnt like that at the drag strip.




.......although I could try it once.......

[Brute SRT]

Good thread, keep it coming guys.

[srt8danno]

Ever since I’ve started reading posts on this forum about CAI’s the same arguments have come up. From this mountain of data I’ve come to the conclusion that they are nothing more than a cosmetic mod. However, there is nothing wrong with cosmetics….just ask the ladies how it enhances their natural beauty. So does a CAI enhance the look and sound of the SRT8 and nothing more.(I have no expectations jmho) However sucking in crap does concern me. That definitely isn’t worth the cosmetics to have crap sucked up into the engine. To each their own.

RS…..I think being told that “Search is your Friend” is just a cop out for being too lazy to help. If they want to make a point then bring out the thread and put it up for everyone to see. Don’t just say look for yourself…especially in a subject as huge as CAI’s are concerned. jmho.

[beomaster5500]

The feedback I got from the DCX "service gurus" and various techs I encounter dong my job was the hp gains aren't happening and some of the CAI's produce less due to hot air pull as well as dirt but I guess if you like the sound to each his/her own...

[Moose]

Originally Posted by Rambit

After the latest SRT Engineers Chat Session, I'm left with some doubt if any of the CAI's really do as they claim.

Basically what they're saying, in answer to ResumeSpeed's question, is that many of these are not really CAI's at all as they suck hot air in from behind the radiator along with dirt.

They also say the stock SRT8 airbox is better in that the pressure drop is the lowest at WOT they've ever tested. Add to that, they say 22 RWHP gains are not realistic.

Comments???

Dodge Charger Forums - View Single Post - Srt Q & A Session: 01-17-07

Rambit

In another chat session they said you could post a few horses with an aftermarket intake.

I discussed this with DanRealtor today on the phone. In my opinion they make noise (nice noise) and the extra noise tells you the car is going faster. Then, you take it to the track thinking it's going to do these great things and it doesn't.

For some that have extended mods, I do believe some aftermarket kits work.

[Northern Rider]

I guess I have a different outlook on all this.

If a CAI is the only mod you do, you'll probably see no real gains other than more noise from the sound of the air induction.

If, however, a well designed CAI is combined with other mods designed to increase air flow and density in and out of the combustion chamber, the combined result will be more performance.

Fuel / Air flow in and temperature of air in is always a good place to start to increase engine performance. The next logical place to go is with a good tuned, free flow exhaust system. Better headers make a big difference if you can begin to adjust the fuel / air timing MAPS in the Electronic Control Unit.

For this, you need an aftermarket reprogramming of the LX computer. SuperChips make a good unit for the 5.7, except, at this point, they are not maximizing long tube header bolt ons. On the SRT8, there are fewer options at this point and tuning is sensitive as the engine is aready pushing timing points in factory tune.

Cams, ported, polished heads also require computer tuning to ensure maximum benefit while maintaining a safety margin for the engine.

The CIA is always a good place to start, due to price and ease of installation. Not all CAI designs are equal. On my SRT8, the stock system was quite efficient but quiet. I replaced it with the tube and filter cone from the Volant system I had on my 5.7. I didn't add the enclosed box and didn't really feel a gain even with the Corsa exhaust.

Recently, based on the comparison testing and the harmonic tuning, I purchased an Air Hammer. Throttle response and fuel economy noticably improved - measurable. signs that the system was more efficient.

Next, I will relocate the Air Temp sensor from it's position close to the throttle body (high heat area) over to the underside of the junction between the tube and filter junction (cooler area). This mod has the risk of a mixture that is too lean, so I need to do careful measurement before recommending it to anyone else.

[Tork Monster]

I would trust the SRT engineers to make the most with their designs. There is no way they are going to leave 20-30 hp on the table (to steal a quote)

However,
The engineers are limited by a number of restraints including fuel economy, emissions and noise. The last one is why they don't install a free-flow exhaust system from the factory to gain the hp.
I would wager that is also the reason they don't install a CAI from the factory; too noisy.
While many here would welcome the extra decibles, I believe most buyers would not, and the Chrysler directors have to make the design fit the majority to sell the most. I imagine that there are noise limits that a CAI would exceed, just as a Corsa exhaust would exceed.

Without these restrictions, the factory would certainly install a free-flowing intake system and exhaust.

Aftermarket chips attack the first two criteria. If an owner chooses to allow more noise, higher emissions and lower fuel economy, substantial gains can be had with these three mods.

Now whether K&N's claim of 21 hp gain is true... I just CAN'T believe that. And yet HOW can such a prominent company get away with such a claim? I can only imagine that they have set up the dyno under some extreme conditions which they have learned will show higher gains for their designs, like an open hood with fans blowing directly on the intake at a very high elevation, etc.

Here is a link to their website and the dyno charts:
http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=63-1114

[Double]

Maybe I missed something here. Isn't the baseline is made with the hood open and fans running, and then the CAI run is made with the hood open and fans running. Isn't that what was done at the Mods face off? Didn't they see real improvement with just a CAI?

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by Double

Maybe I missed something here. Isn't the baseline is made with the hood open and fans running, and then the CAI run is made with the hood open and fans running. Isn't that what was done at the Mods face off? Didn't they see real improvement with just a CAI?

That's the only way they would do it as it's SOP for a dyno run. What the difference is it's not real world HP gains. In other words you wouldn't be running at the track with your hood open and a big fan in front of you.

Rambit