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Just wondering if anybody on the forum drives their car in the winter with a CAI. I heard that you shouldn't drive in the winter with a CAI, due to the fact that water could go into you engine. Is this true?

I don't have my civic yet but I will be getting an 04' pretty soon. I want to make a decesion whether to get a CAI or Short Ram. I will be driving my car in the winter time. Any thoughts or info would help.

I'm live in the GTA BTW.

Thanks, Phu.

 
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get an AEM by-pass valve and you'll be fine.
it'll stop the water from going into the engine if water does somehow get through the filter.

 
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I know about the bypass valve. Do it really work, cause I heard a lot of people say that, that thing doesn't help.

Do u have a CAI in your car? and drive in the winter??

 
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my firend got a 00 civic sedan and he uses CAI in winter and
he goes into those under body car wash as well and he never had any problem
and he doesnt have the by pass

 
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I have a CAI and drive mine in winter, no probs yet, just make sure you dont go through any big puddles. plus your proably worse off in spring with all the rain and puddles than in the winter

 
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thanks for the replies guys.

Anyone have a bad experience or heard stories of a bad experience???

 
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one of the installers in my store, he had CAI in his typeR and run through a big puddle at commerence gate and i guess the filter sucks in lots of water and now his R is retired

 
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You know what you could do. Advanced Flow Engineering makes a killer filter and also gives you the option of adding a Filter Jacket to it. This thing is great. They repel water, they are breathable and they fit the filters nice and snug. You can get them in yellow, black, blue and red. You may have to give them your dimensions to see if they can retro fit one to your CAI. I like these filters becuase a) thier flow rate is 300% better then K&N b) they supply filters for major brand names of Import CAI filters. The import companies get AFE to stamp the ends with thier logo on it, but it's AFE technology and c) the guys who own AFE use to work for K&N but left becuase they didn't want to use the innovative ideas that these 2 guys had for thier filters. So they jumped shop and made thier own company. I also know that Volant Filters also has a Filter Jacket for thier filters. take a look. they are pretty good. the diesel truck market uses them. The CAIs from AFE for Diesel Trucks are fitted with the capability of getting a Jacket for your filter. If you want more info, PM me. I work for a Diesel Performance shop and I could get you a set up for wholesale price.

 
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Whatever you get, please spend an extra couple of bucks to get the bypass valve. With AEM the only problem I have heard of was somebody who submerged the filter in water, and they hydrolocked their engine, otherwise I have not heard any stories, and I have been on the boards for a while....

 
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Damn... I think I'll stick away from the CAI's then. Thanks for the info guys.

 
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i have no problems with my cai

well, it also depends on what type of gains you want... low end or high end

 
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i've had my cai for six months now nad so far i haven't encounter any major problems. and having to deal with all the snow this year. but im always paranoid that i might run through a big puddle and hydro lock my engine. if i had to choose between sri and cai all over again id probably choose sri instead. it doesn't really make a big diffirence to have an intake, it jus sounds nice.

 
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Guys, guys, guys...relax.
If you did a little research on this site you would find out that we're okay in the winter with a CAI. The only way you're going to hydrolock your engine is if you drive it into a lake!!! Just use common sense when driving. I've had my InJen CAI on all winter long and no problems.

You guys have been following too many threads from people that live way down south where there is a lot of rain. So much so that the roads flood over.

Sorry to sound like I'm bashing people, but you really don't need a bypass value.

My 2-cents,
xian

 
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I have an Injen CAI. This is my second winter running with it and haven't had any problems until recently. With all this snow we've been having there have been some really slushy days and I have been having some misfire on the worst days. I believe my snow tires are throwing enough slush and crap to cause the filter to pick up some moisture.

I am not 100% sure this is the cause but I DO know that once its dry out, or at least not sooo wet, everything is fine. But, haven't had any problems in the rain. I doubt the bypass valve would help because I've heard you need a full lock to activate it and right now I just think its damp.

Overall, I wouldn't give up my CAI and as xian said "unless you drive it into a lake" you'll be fine.

 
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Same here - second winter on an Injen. Just don't be stupid and drive into puddles or anything of the sort and you'll be OK.

 
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My installer installed the CAI without actually cutting the splash cover(he said he didn't want me to have the tire throwing water back to my intake) and I wonder if that's good.

 
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I didn't cut mine either, I just kinda wedged it in. No problems so far, but I DID grab a piece of rubber and wedged it in there between the frame and the intake tube cause I figured otherwise it may wear a hole in the tubing.

 
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No cutting and rubber wedged for me too. Also possible to do it without removing the front bumper.

 
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That's true, no need to remove the front bumper

 
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Makes it a HELL of a lot easier though, you have to admit. Bumper removal is a breeze anyway.

 
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nah min... when i installed my CAI it took like a good 45 minutes..
well this is for a lx civic..
no need to cut or remove the bumper...
only remove the battery for easy access of the filter...

 
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damn, nice a$$ Telly

 
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i have a cold air and i live in a cold winter climate and i have never had a problem with stuff getting sucked in. the by pass valve does help as a just in case option but youll do fine without it.

 
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so whats the difference between between sri and cai, which is better to get

 
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You may wanna search for that answer as to which is better - lots of differing opinions on that.
SRI = Short Ram Intake....filter is in the engine bay
CAI = Cold Air Intake...filter is located outside the engine bay, theoretically pulling in colder air

 
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Let's see what cue2k1 will say to this , I've had my intake for a about 2 years and it's gone through 2 winters almost and no problems at all just be careful of big puddles.