Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

Is cold air intake really worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-16-11, 06:44 AM
  #1  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Is cold air intake really worth it?

I've been wanting a cold air intake for a little while (only had car few months), took car to Lextec place for oil change and found valve cover leak which he claims is 400 bucks to fix... But what i need to know is that he told me a cold air intake on my car is pointless. Is this true? A 10 year Lexus mechanic told me this? Any help someone? Thanks.

Car is a 93' Sc300 128000 miles Automatic.
Old 11-16-11, 07:25 AM
  #2  
Ali SC3
Lexus Champion

iTrader: (10)
 
Ali SC3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 10,755
Received 438 Likes on 368 Posts
Default

400 for valve cover gasket is a bit pricey. you could do that yourself for way under $100.

The sc300 and sc400 comes stock with a cold air intake. your mechanic is right.
You can do a BFI though, which is a bigger version of the stock intake.
welcome to the forum, and give the old search button a test, search for BFI or cold air intake.
Old 11-16-11, 09:01 AM
  #3  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Intake

I wanted a ram air intake idk if that makes a difference. It only has an air filter with air filter box currently i dont see intake anywhere..? Maybe im just being stupid lol
Old 11-16-11, 09:38 AM
  #4  
2jznosht
Lexus Test Driver
 
2jznosht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NM
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

CAI's are pointless in the sense the air isn't cold due to filters in the engine bay, or metal tubing that heats up...They are less restrictive though, which is where the 5 extra hp(on an otherwise stock car) comes from
Old 11-16-11, 10:04 AM
  #5  
wickedsc3
Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
wickedsc3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yes its pointless. This motor does not respond well to bolt on's, anyone looking for power goes turbo because its fairly easy with the amount of info and the options of turbo motors to swap 1jzgte, 2jzgte
Old 11-16-11, 10:07 AM
  #6  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default CIAs?

I dont really know terminology sorry.. So your saying I should or should not get a Ram intake? I was looking at this one here and found good deal on amazon check it out and tell me what u think people. I think this one is nice http://www.amazon.com/Injen-Technolo...1993&carId=001
Old 11-16-11, 10:09 AM
  #7  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And even if the ram intake doesnt give me that much horsepower... Dont i still get like 1-2 better mpg and wont the car run cooler and sound a little better?
Old 11-16-11, 10:11 AM
  #8  
2jznosht
Lexus Test Driver
 
2jznosht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NM
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would because the stock intake is pretty restrictive...itll sound and look better but you wont notice any more power from it
Old 11-16-11, 10:13 AM
  #9  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I dont understand why there wont be any extra power can you tell me why? And also will there be slightly better gas mileage?
Old 11-16-11, 10:22 AM
  #10  
2jznosht
Lexus Test Driver
 
2jznosht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NM
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by DreaMzZ
I dont understand why there wont be any extra power can you tell me why? And also will there be slightly better gas mileage?
Well the more air into the heads the more power. the idea is colder air is denser so a cai takes in more air than a norml intake, thus adding power. In reality the cai IS NOT taking in colder air. It is however sucking in more air as it is less restrictive. Unfortunately your intake manifold/heads/exhaust can only flow so much air, so even with a more open intake pipe/filter it doesnt do much.
Old 11-16-11, 10:23 AM
  #11  
2jznosht
Lexus Test Driver
 
2jznosht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NM
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

and yes you may see and extra mpg or 2, but that also depends on driving habits
Old 11-16-11, 10:24 AM
  #12  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I looked at the BFI link I dont fully understand it, basically im cutting a hole in box and making some rigged dryer tube to come out under hood?

Last edited by Kira X; 11-18-11 at 07:01 AM.
Old 11-16-11, 10:29 AM
  #13  
2jznosht
Lexus Test Driver
 
2jznosht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NM
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Not sure what link you are talking about, but from your description, I wouldnt bother with it. If finances arent the problem get the CAI
Old 11-16-11, 10:41 AM
  #14  
DreaMzZ
Driver
Thread Starter
 
DreaMzZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default So

Get the RAM air intake on this link http://www.amazon.com/Injen-Technolo...1993&carId=001 or do you have a better one in mind? and seriously there will be no improvement as far as performance?
Old 11-16-11, 11:06 AM
  #15  
MumRah
Rookie
 
MumRah's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: santo domingo
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

depends what you want it for yea its less restrictive and doesnt increase so much hp that you can actually notice but if your not going for hp and just want something aesthetically better looking go ahead but dont go over board in paying for one because personally i believe CAI`s are more in the eye candy dept. but thats my 2 cents


Quick Reply: Is cold air intake really worth it?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:19 AM.