COLD AIR INTAKE v.s. POWER FLOW

[-SUPREME-]

Hey guys have a quick question.. Anyone have any idea what the difference in a cold air intake v.s. a power flow kit? From research n reading can't seem to get a clear answer. Looking at a K&N power flow set up and I currently have a cold air set up just wondering if it would be more beneficial and/or higher horse power? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks people :)

[jlevie]

Nothing you can do with the intake will outperform the stock airbox & clean filter. And the stock air box is a cold air intake if all of the parts are present.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Nothing you can do with the intake will outperform the stock airbox & clean filter. And the stock air box is a cold air intake if all of the parts are present.

[bimmer2288]

Nothing you can do with the intake will outperform the stock airbox & clean filter. And the stock air box is a cold air intake if all of the parts are present.

This is true. It'll make you feel good about yourself but you'll feel nothing. From a naturally aspirated setup, the stock airbox and clean filter do fine as is.

I don't know what car you have but I swapped an ETA ECU for a 325i ECU in my car and felt immediate HP gains (I drive a SETA).

You could do weight reduction, swap heavy aftermarket rims for stock weaves or lightweight rims and a slightly smaller diameter tire to get more off the line jump, you could swap your differential for a 3.73 or 4.10 gear ratio which would help off the line jump.

You could buy a chip, get a tune up, add a spoiler... these are ways to effectively get more power or the feel of more power. Virtually nothing off the shelf at an auto parts store is going to do anything.

[carfantiti]

Gosh ^ Everything works together to get HP.
More air in ,more fuel,more spark,more air out !I free flowing cooler air intake has benefits.By it self not much it sounds better.With a chip and exhaust these 3 go hand in hand.Just go miller screw those parts!If you already have a intake I would not mess with it verses on over the other as long as it has a heat shield and the piping is good with heat.Basic Bolt ons never yield large hp gains .Changing exhaust helps in the weight department over a stock muffler.gains with mods are usually like this exhaust 5-8 hp.intake 5-15 hp depending if eliminating AFM .The chip brings it all together by getting the tune for the changes.Largest hp gains are with Head work,Cams,stroke displacement.
To wrap it up dont waste your money what you have as long as heat shielded is fine.save up by the miller maf war combo!Than swap cams walla

[-SUPREME-]

Yeah I'm chipped 8mm wires exhaust ect.. My car is a 89 325ix.. I have a K&N cold air intake which I'm very happy with, I just came across a K&N power flow set up I just don't quite understand the difference.. K&N site doesn't really offer much on the subject? Sorry for the AMMY HOUR guys...

[Playgunz]

There is a guy on here that builds CAI's in the factory position, I'm new can't remember his name. It's Kabo something I think, and they are sweet looking.

[carfantiti]

^ interesting like see if he can come up with a Miller maf and dtm cf plenum one?

[Playgunz]

His name is Kamotors

[delatlanta1281]

You need more than a chip, exhaust and a cai to make any sort of difference. You are off to a good start OP. to into the m20 section on this forum and spend some time there. Then listen to everything that Jlevie says. He can be trusted and is correct when he says that the stock air box is plenty for your motor. It's plenty for mine, and mine is considerably more built.

[Playgunz]

Here yah go, nice looking kit he makes http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=130323

[-SUPREME-]

I completely understand cams miller mega squirt and so on will give me WAAAAAYYYYYY more HP. I just don't understand the difference in a power flow setup vs a cold air intake set up? Can ANYONE EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE IN THE 2... Really all I'm asking.. I'm perfectly happy with my setup just don't understand the difference that's basically it!

[Playgunz]

There isn't one, just different designs. A "true" cold air draws all of it's air from outside the engine bay. If the filter is in the engine bay and it's open without a ram air or piping out, it is not a true cold air. Some filters also sound different, but as far as power goes it is almost non existent in difference.

[Playgunz]

Another way to sum it up, is some guy came up with a bull shit name to make it sound cooler than, "round gauze filter"

[delatlanta1281]

Show me the 2 you are talking about.