CAI extension-would I see a "big" performance gain...is it worth it?

[cman2000]

i've been doing searches and found out that a company called UPFD has made a short-ram intake extension to make our short ram into a cold air intake (basically converting the short-ram into a real CAI). i am currently running a injen short-ram intake, with Rippmods headers, and a Greddy Evo catback system on my Gen 4.5 camry 5SFE (year 2000) auto.

if i get the CAI extension, would i see a big performance gain? or only slight gains from my current set-up? just wondering if it's worth ordering, installing, and spending the time and money for it, if i only see slight to little gains.

for those who got it, do you recommend the upgrade?
thanks

[alex86]

no not much but mayb some but hardly noticable. if u do a whole cat bak exhaust system setup u will find the most benifiting(sp?) power out of it.

[cman2000]

yeah, i did the entire cat back exhaust system, w/ headers and the injen short ram intake. i've already noticed alot of gains, more so w/ torque, over stock camry. my question was, if i get the CAI extension and make the short-ram basically into a CAI, with my current setup, would i see an even bigger gain? or should i just leave my setup as is?

[alex86]

a slight one i would go with it cause u have it anyways cause short ram is just drawing in hot air. when u put that extension on u draw in cold air which helps the engine so u would get some but not much. i would if i had one but atm i dont have any money to afford the extension.

[JetspeedCamry]

no.

[cman2000]

thanks for the suggestion alex86.

anyone else who got the CAI extension? opinions/suggestions?

[Luckynumber5]

there will not be more than a few horsepower difference, im talking maybe 3-5, the driving charasteristics may change some and the sound will change as well but very small power gain

[cman2000]

is it easy to install myself, or should i go to the mechanic? i'm not too good w/ mods in the engine compartment...i had my mechanic back in tx do my intake, headers, and catback exhaust. i'm in philadelphia right visiting friends, so wondering if i have to find a temporary mechanic for this?

[Luckynumber5]

if youve never done anything it may take a bit of courage, its very straightforward so dont get intimidated

[BustaRice]

I got that installed on my camry. The fitment is a bit off but maybe because it's for a solara and even though it's the same engine maybe some things are slightly off. Either way i got it to fit without too much hassle.

As for the gains i can't say I feel a big gain at all but it's the cold air factor that you are benefiting from. You're getting a more consistant colder air than you ever did before and that's better than suckin in hot air.

If you look at my cardomain page you'll see i got it installed.

[Xevuhtess77]

dont worry about it, it isnt hard. my first mod was my cai, built it myself and it ended up being glued and ducttaped together with a soup can on part of it. you'll be able to handle it

[Eye8Pussies]

Originally posted by Luckynumber5
there will not be more than a few horsepower difference, im talking maybe 3-5, the driving charasteristics may change some and the sound will change as well but very small power gain

*sigh* are we back to this again? this topic has been beat into the ground

you won't gain even close to 3-5hp by just extending a short ram to a cai....you won't even gain that much by getting a cai over a stock airbox......though I do agree that it would give you the most cold air that it possible can and maybe more consistent a/f burn..?

but long story short, even with full intake/exhaust mods, you may gain a total of 5hp to the wheels....especially on an auto...

kinda disappointing isn't it?

[BustaRice]

Yup... quite disappointing indeed. Guess it's a more show item than go.

[amerikim]

It's about sound and visuals mostly.
The noise you like after may get to you in a while.
Plus if your consumption starts going bad, you'll really be pissed.

I am thinking of using the stock airbox setup up to the point of the induction acoustic chamber and route from there.

I agree a hot painted FAT tube looks impressive in an engine bay, but naw...Can't see anything nice and easy.

[MadDawg]

hardly... i have a short ram intake with a home-made heatshield... i have a slight increase mid end ie (3500rpms)... but not much more then that... it will sound mean... but say hello to the air sucking sound... it gets anoyying after a while.