Cold Air Intake -- Worth it?

[Volfy]

Fuel additive Can't clean the valves with a GDI engine. I have WMI to keep the valves clean.

That is correct, but intake valves aren't the only places carbon deposits can form. Top of pistons often have them too. Too much of it can reduce the combustion chamber volume at TDC, which can raise the effective compression ratio of the engine. It can also absorb fuel and lead to momentary/localized leaning. Lastly, the carbon deposit can produce hot spots and cause pre-ignition.

Because top of piston is subjected to GDI fuel spray, carbon deposits there can be cleaned with fuel additives. I use Techron. Not as often as with MPI cars, but I use it on GDI engines as well.

 

[theoreck]

I haven't seen if anyone on this forum has the SSR intakes on their car. I would be worried about the filters getting dirty and wet constantly.

yup. Those intakes are going to be a target for dirt and water. Probably why they stopped making them.

 

[theoreck]

False. The definition of a cold air intake hasn't changed in over 40 years. The filter element MUST be external to the engine bay and in direct line of incoming ambient air.

Location of the filter is irrelevant, if it's a closed system and the intake draw is from outside the engine bay, it's still a cold air intake.

 

[GotStinger?]

I truly appreciate all of the input ... the fact that this thread is still getting input even after almost 3 years is quite amazing. 16,000 miles on the Stinger ... added an Adro Carbon Fiber kit and then put on carbon fiber: shark fin, gas latch, and spoiler.

 

[Stiletto]

Location of the filter is irrelevant, if it's a closed system and the intake draw is from outside the engine bay, it's still a cold air intake.

Fair enough. You could cram a tube into the wheel well with no filter on the end and put a filter box right in front of the TB. But your beginning point of induction is outside the engine bay.