Trying to determine if a cold air intake and/or charge pipe for my car are worth the $$ and might be more for show than go. Friends with 1st & 2nd gen cars really feel strongly about power gains; does anyone have 1st hand knowledge? Like all of us, always searching for a little bit more!

 

Go with a tuning chip like Dinan Sport or Elite, Berger tuning, NM, etc. Or a Manic or similar tune. I've used the Sport and liked it, now have the Elite and it is even better if not a bit more $$$, ok a lot more $$$$.

CAI is for noise only and usually doesn't take in cold air. I no zip about charge pipes.

 

Thanks for your response. Installed the elite back in October and I agree, the transformation has turned the little terrier into a wolf!

 

If you have the Elite tune, the next step should be exhaust. That will guarantee another few horses. Intake is good for show and sound, but seems to be about it.

 

I would have to say the exhaust would be a good mod. I have the AWE Track Edition on my JCW. As far as the intake, I have the Craven Speed intake. It is more for sound than anything else. You get a slight increase in air flow but not enough for any major increase in power.

 

Yep, like everyone mentioned earlier, exhaust for sure.

You got to get that air coming in, out, fast. A free flowing exhaust will do that. Get a "race" design, no mid cat or resonator to slow down air flow. The cat in the downpipe will CYA if you live in a place with emissions testing.

I did something similar but instead of replacing my JCW exhaust I bought a Milltek Catless/Resonator Free Midpipe, cut out my mid in my exhaust, and welded the Milltek in.

http://www.fastredmini.com/2017/03/m...or-delete.html

 

Most people feel they need an after market CAI for performance. When actually the stock air cleaner is a CAI itself. Many after markets, if their seals are not perfect, will suck in engine compartment warm air. So they after market CAI are more for show.

Your stock filter systems has inlet nozzles pulling from outside the engine compartment. If there are any diverters in the inlet to the filter box or from the filter box to the turbo, removing these will help some, but not a heck of a lot.

 

I agree with most of the statements about "CAI", I tried a couple before settling on the Armaspeed intake. It uses the stock ports in the radiator shroud for cold/outside air into larger ductwork of a closed system that doesn't draw hot air from under the hood. It, like the other "CAI's" has a larger free flowing filter. It's also the best looking system on the market IMO.