Lid vs. CAI - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 06:14 PM

Been debating installing a lid for my car, and I am probably going to do it sooner or later. But humor me this, with the lid you gain much better air flow than a CAI, however wouldn't the intake air temp be slightly higher due to the radiator?

So anyone with a lid and the ability to read the IAT, can you tell me what the normal temp is?

I just want to compare it to what a CAI normally runs. Just curious.

NastyEllEssWon · 04-09-2009, 06:48 PM

my lid has a metal chute underneath that reaches down and vacuums air out from under the air dam so in essence would probably be the same effect as a cai

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 06:49 PM

So it blocks off the radiator? That seems bad.. no?

deadtrend1 · 04-09-2009, 07:08 PM

by lid you mean doing a LS1 lid conversion?

My LS1 IAT reads just a few degrees higher then the ambient air temperature.
But the K&N FIPK on my Silverado reads just at air temp. Both at speed. At a light the IAT will increase a bit on the LS1. Just note the engine bay in my truck is much less occupied.

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 07:12 PM

Yea, LS1 conversion.

ar0ck · 04-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Just a ghetto install or Moch up I came across once on LS1Tech:

Could use a rubber elbow from a mass air 3rd gen TPI car, and you have to make your own radiator brackets.

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 07:26 PM

Yea, I know is doable, just hesitant to do it.... LOL. I really want to get rid of the CAI and get some space to stick stuff.

deadtrend1 · 04-09-2009, 07:26 PM

thats pretty bad. Any air that can go through the radiator now escapes through the top

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 07:28 PM

\

A much cleaner install.

NJ346 · 04-09-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shownomercy

So it blocks off the radiator? That seems bad.. no?

It blocks off a small part of the radiator, nothing too drastic. Just throw a thermostat in the car if your that worried. I have a chute(FTRA) and I think it helps a lot. You can also do what they call Free ram air if your that worried about blocking the radiator.

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 07:33 PM

Well I have no AC so theres not much in there to block air flow.

MonmouthCtyAntz · 04-09-2009, 07:36 PM

Theres a big write up on this in the Lt1 section on tech from a few mths back...probably get alot of good info there.

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 07:40 PM

Ehh F the tech.

I will go browse...

69BirdX · 04-09-2009, 07:45 PM

sittin traffic my Iat reads about 108. in steady driving its about 80 and once i jump on it drops down below. It heats up fast but also cools down quick kinda cool to watch.

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonmouthCtyAntz

Theres a big write up on this in the Lt1 section on tech from a few mths back...probably get alot of good info there.

Are you running a lid or CAI in your car?

deadtrend1 · 04-09-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shownomercy

Are you running a lid or CAI in your car?

his car:

http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showpos...52&postcount=1

NJSPEEDER · 04-09-2009, 09:37 PM

The whole "cold air intake" thing is one of the biggest myths going. The truth is that your engine will benefit more from the easy availability of air than the few degree difference between the air in front of hte wheel well and the air coming off the radiator.

Think of it this way, do you think you can more easily run at a steady pace breathing ice cold air but only through your nose or warm air but you can breath through your mouth when you try to run faster? Cold air sounds like a great plan, but as far as your car is concerned it is at the wrong end of a silly straw to ever be of any use

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 09:52 PM

Agreed, but the whole gain from a CAI is a much better flowing intake and larger filter I believe.

NastyEllEssWon · 04-09-2009, 10:03 PM

it doesnt block the radiator cause the radiator picks up air in a different area than the chute does. the chut is about 5'' before the radiator and is designed to come in where the stock air lid grabs. this is the reason people cut out the plastic part under their lids. the chute just makes the air coming in a little bit smoother and less turbulant.

LTb1ow · 04-09-2009, 10:06 PM

Hmm, I just want something simple like.

Maybe a weekend project not sure yet.

JL8Jeff · 04-10-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

it doesnt block the radiator cause the radiator picks up air in a different area than the chute does. the chut is about 5'' before the radiator and is designed to come in where the stock air lid grabs. this is the reason people cut out the plastic part under their lids. the chute just makes the air coming in a little bit smoother and less turbulant.

Yes, but that is the LS1 setup and on his LT1 he might need to do some cutting up around the front radiator support section. If I get a chance this weekend, I'll take off my lid/airbox assembly and take some pictures. Then he can compare the LS1 rad support/hood latch area to his LT1 to see what might work.

MonmouthCtyAntz · 04-13-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shownomercy

Are you running a lid or CAI in your car?

LT1 style CAI modified w/ a bigger filter...

KirkEvil · 04-13-2009, 08:39 AM

Pics from when I did the FRA mod...

There should be a lot of room between the front support and the radiator with the a/c removed.

sweetbmxrider · 04-13-2009, 11:08 AM

yeah with no condenser, there is plenty of room. the whole hood clearance thing is probably going to give you a little trouble.

LTb1ow · 04-13-2009, 11:19 AM

I shall clearance my hood. Beer + hammer + sawzall = magic.