Cold Air Intake

[JakeSoberman]

Anyone here have a Carbonio Cold Air Intake I am thinking about buying one soon but don't know if I should or not? Is it worth it?

[Brettannica]

Save your money. It looks good but from what I’ve read on here Audi pretty much got it spot on from the factory.

[Jake@JHM]

The main reason why people do not run cold air intakes on the B6/B7 S4 is because of the placement of the aux radiator. If you were to install the CAI you would be getting nothing but hot air. Through our research and the time we have spent with these cars we feel that the stock air box with a drop-in K&N filter is going to be the most effective intake setup. Audi spent a lot of time developing the OEM air box and they did a very good job. However, if you are dead set on using a CAI, we offer a Aux Radiator Delete Kit that will enable you to effectively run a CAI.

If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know!

[iHaveBoost?]

Send me the stock airbox if you switch. PO added a cone filter, I'm having a hell of a time finding a stock box.

[dparm]

I've never seen anything proving it does anything other than making things a bit louder and sucking in tons of hot air. Even the RS4, which makes another 80hp, uses the same airbox...so it's not THAT restrictive.

[Mr. Corey]

Carbonio Cold Air Intake looks nice and sounds great but you wont see any difference in performance....

[eurofansince95]

Save your money .. just buy a high flow drop in filter

[dparm]

Save your money .. just buy a high flow drop in filter

Even that isn't going to do much. Maybe a few HP at redline at WOT. The stock paper element works well and filters fine-dust far better.

[CDN_S4]

My car came with the K&N CAI and I wish it hadn't! Sourcing a stock intake is a PITA!! I can't say anything about it's sound or performance as I have no comparison to an OE CAI. I know it doesn't make the car "slow" but tests have proven it does nothing to make it faster. Spend your money on something worth while!

[WinterRunner]

Even that isn't going to do much. Maybe a few HP at redline at WOT. The stock paper element works well and filters fine-dust far better.

I'm with you, I just change out the paper filter a bit more often than usual, about every 10K miles. It's filtration abilities are FAR better than a oil type filter.

[dparm]

I'm with you, I just change out the paper filter a bit more often than usual, about every 10K miles. It's filtration abilities are FAR better than a oil type filter.

You do realize that changing the paper filter too often is actually counterproductive, right? The filters work better when they have a bit of dirt in them already.

[JimmyBones]

You do realize that changing the paper filter too often is actually counterproductive, right? The filters work better when they have a bit of dirt in them already.

Please explain the reasoning behind that statement to me.

[iHaveBoost?]

Please explain the reasoning behind that statement to me.

here's an explanation:

A slightly dirty filter actually cleans more efficiently than a brand new filter. That's because the debris trapped by the filter element helps screen out smaller particles that try to get through. But eventually every filter reaches the point where it causes enough of a pressure drop to restrict airflow.

[troyguitar]

So "work better" means more filtration, not more air flow?

This thread reminded me that I still need to look into building a better intake, thanks.

[dparm]

That's correct. The dust in the filter actually adds an additional layer of filtration. You do reach a point though where this becomes a restriction, and the filter needs to be changed.

This was actually shown in a test done on an air flow bench by a big diesel truck website. They also proved that the aftermarket cotton and foam filters have far inferior filtration to the stock paper, with only a marginal increase in flow. Let me see if I can dig up the website...

[WinterRunner]

Interesting, even still, at 10K miles they are pretty filthy. Thanks for the tip Parm!

[dparm]

Interesting, even still, at 10K miles they are pretty filthy. Thanks for the tip Parm!

Visual inspection isn't really that useful unless it is literally caked with dust and other debris, like this:



Some darkening is normal.

[S4King]

Dibs on stock box.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[the huff]

That's correct. The dust in the filter actually adds an additional layer of filtration. You do reach a point though where this becomes a restriction, and the filter needs to be changed.

This was actually shown in a test done on an air flow bench by a big diesel truck website. They also proved that the aftermarket cotton and foam filters have far inferior filtration to the stock paper, with only a marginal increase in flow. Let me see if I can dig up the website...

There's also the Air Filtration test on BITOG - http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm

[thebaytola]

If you want to spend on your intake...just get the KN for 50 shipped and cross it off the list. You can notice a difference in sound and throttle response from what I noticed after installing mine two days ago. My stock filter was CAKED and the dust filter in front of that was also CAKED. I look apart the whole intake, cleaned the plastic, and replaced the drop in. Feels good (at least it makes me feel like I made an improvement).

I also just ordered a roll of DEI gold heat tape for $35. Will help cool down the plastic a few degrees Fahrenheit If I'd have to guess. Every little bit counts!

Lastly if your not satisfied enough with your stupid stock airbox, get the 034 motorsports silicone piece. Its $80 for a piece of silicone, kinda sucks, but all three of my suggestions are better than any "intake" you'll find on the market.

[troyguitar]

Has anyone even attempted to make a proper intake upgrade that is actually a measurable improvement over stock? There were talks of a JHM ram air unit but as far as I can tell it has been abandoned, not sure why.

[JimmyBones]

Has anyone even attempted to make a proper intake upgrade that is actually a measurable improvement over stock? There were talks of a JHM ram air unit but as far as I can tell it has been abandoned, not sure why.

There is a JHM ram air intake that pushes 6 to 6.5 psi of boost pressure.

[Jake@JHM]

The main reason why people do not run cold air intakes on the B6/B7 S4 is because of the placement of the aux radiator. If you were to install the CAI you would be getting nothing but hot air. Through our research and the time we have spent with these cars we feel that the stock air box with a drop-in K&N filter is going to be the most effective intake setup. Audi spent a lot of time developing the OEM air box and they did a very good job. However, if you are dead set on using a CAI, we offer a Aux Radiator Delete Kit that will enable you to effectively run a CAI.

If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know!

Has anyone even attempted to make a proper intake upgrade that is actually a measurable improvement over stock? There were talks of a JHM ram air unit but as far as I can tell it has been abandoned, not sure why.

As you can see from my post above, we found in our research that the CAIs actually hurt performance due to the location of the Aux radiator. A CAI can't even begin to become a positive addition until that Aux radiator has been removed. However, even after removing the Aux radiator and making or buying a CAI, the benefit (if any) will not outweigh the cost when you can spend $50 on a K&N Drop-in Filter and be done with it.

There is a JHM ram air intake that pushes 6 to 6.5 psi of boost pressure.

I see what you did there .

[troyguitar]

As you can see from my post above, we found in our research that the CAIs actually hurt performance due to the location of the Aux radiator. A CAI can't even begin to become a positive addition until that Aux radiator has been removed. However, even after removing the Aux radiator and making or buying a CAI, the benefit (if any) will not outweigh the cost when you can spend $50 on a K&N Drop-in Filter and be done with it.

Is this to say that a proper intake (as in, not just a filter on a stick in a hot engine bay) was tested in place of the Aux radiator and somehow made no improvement over the drop-in filter? I'm interested in the aux radiator delete for other reasons but was thinking it would be a good location for a "ram air" intake. There was at least one thread where you guys talked about developing one but no results were ever mentioned.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ram-air-intake

[Slow4]

was thinking it would be a good location for a "ram air" intake. There was at least one thread where you guys talked about developing one but no results were ever mentioned.

Are you referring to the current location of the JHM supercharger?

[troyguitar]

Are you referring to the current location of the JHM supercharger?

Yes, as pictured. I'm also curious about just putting a hole in the hood to feed the intake since I'm looking at vented CF hoods anyway. The wheel well would also be a potential cold air source. Or just put a damn big filter above the intake at the back of the hood like an American cowl induction car... It seems like there are plenty of options that AFAIK have not been explored.

[Sipset]

Like everyone else is saying, I'd stick with the stock intake. I fab'd up a custom intake and regret doing so due to loss of power, unfortunately my stock intake is in my storage unit four states away. I'll get it someday

[Slow4]

Yes, as pictured. I'm also curious about just putting a hole in the hood to feed the intake since I'm looking at vented CF hoods anyway. The wheel well would also be a potential cold air source. Or just put a damn big filter above the intake at the back of the hood like an American cowl induction car... It seems like there are plenty of options that AFAIK have not been explored.

I'm lost.

Are you suggesting that instead of poking at the idea of actually installing the JHM supercharger where it currently sits, you want to create ram intake in that same location or cut a hole behind the wheel well or cut a hole above the airbox?

I'm no techie but wouldn't that be counterproductive to what you want to happen?

[CDN_S4]

Like everyone else is saying, I'd stick with the stock intake. I fab'd up a custom intake and regret doing so due to loss of power, unfortunately my stock intake is in my storage unit four states away. I'll get it someday

Just curious, what does this custom setup look like?

[troyguitar]

I'm lost.

Are you suggesting that instead of poking at the idea of actually installing the JHM supercharger where it currently sits, you want to create ram intake in that same location or cut a hole behind the wheel well or cut a hole above the airbox?

I'm no techie but wouldn't that be counterproductive to what you want to happen?

It would be something to do in the meantime while I'm more focused on handling and could then be something useful for other people in the future who aren't running superchargers. Hell, the wheel well or hood option could still be helpful with the SC... cold air is still a good thing even with boost.

[Slow4]

It would be something to do in the meantime while I'm more focused on handling and could then be something useful for other people in the future who aren't running superchargers. Hell, the wheel well or hood option could still be helpful with the SC... cold air is still a good thing even with boost.

I did the "Darin Intake" on my B5 where I cut a massive hole into air box. I cut the hole at the area where the air box sat on top of the wheel well; the wheel well on the B5s had air slits for ventilation?.

My thinking was the modified airbox would suck in cold air from the wheel well and be beneficial for the 2.7; I was wrong.

I'm not trying to start a pissing contest with you again but why are trying to fab an airbox when research has proved there is no real gain from them?

[troyguitar]

I'm not trying to start a pissing contest with you again but why are trying to fab an airbox when research has proved there is no real gain from them?

I haven't seen any research of this nature, just people testing things like the Carbonio.

It could turn out that the Audi OEM box is the best design on the planet, but simply saying that it's better than the Carbonio type stuff isn't really adequate to prove that.

Has JHM stopped "working on ram air solutions" because they've been shown to be useless? If so, they haven't shown it to anyone else.

[Slow4]

I haven't seen any research of this nature, just people testing things like the Carbonio.

It could turn out that the Audi OEM box is the best design on the planet, but simply saying that it's better than the Carbonio type stuff isn't really adequate to prove that.

Has JHM stopped "working on ram air solutions" because they've been shown to be useless? If so, they haven't shown it to anyone else.

Watch:



@ 8:35 "I don't think it's worth it"



@9:20 shows they lost power with mod

EDiT:

Different platform but you get the idea

[troyguitar]

Different strokes I guess. I'd call a 2% gain from a homemade CAI very worthwhile.

[dparm]

2% well within dyno margin of error.

[Brettannica]

Watch:



@ 8:35 "I don't think it's worth it"



@9:20 shows they lost power with mod

EDiT:

Different platform but you get the idea

These boys are great at the piss-taking. Seen their other vids?

[troyguitar]

2% well within dyno margin of error.

So how many runs with a 2% difference would it take to make YOU convinced that there's a difference?

[dparm]

So how many runs with a 2% difference would it take to make YOU convinced that there's a difference?

None. I am a very skeptical person to begin with, and roller dynos are easily manipulated anyways.

[troyguitar]

None. I am a very skeptical person to begin with, and roller dynos are easily manipulated anyways.

So are you of the opinion that the JHM IM does nothing because 10-15 hp is well within the dyno margin of error too?

[dparm]

Can't really comment because I haven't looked closely at the results....haven't owned a B6 S4 for over a year now.

15hp on a 340hp car is 5%, which is not really a dyno error (unless the operator is an absolute moron or makes a huge typo).