K&N vs CAI

Kyogie12 · Mar 11, 2010

Alright, so i'm looking to get a new intake for my 98 gst. The car is stock as of now except for new plugs and wires. Now i've been wondering what the difference would be between getting a K&N (K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit Fits 1995-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo1997-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Turbo1995-98 Eagle Talon Turbo (2.0L, turbo engine) at Crutchfield.com) or a CAI (Injen RD1880P at AutoAnything). What's the difference between the two performance wise?

I live in colorado where weather is a pain and constantly shifts(yesterday was 50 in the morning w/ sun and snowing by 4pm). I'm worried about getting a CAI and drenching it in water.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks

95blackGsTurbo · Mar 11, 2010

CAI is for an N/A car. Won't fit. I would recommend something like this, 95 96 97 1998-99 MITS ECLIPSE TURBO GST/GSX Air Intake : eBay Motors (item 370337298664 end time Mar-20-10 00:25:37 PDT) They have proven to be rather good and install well. The K&N FIPK is very good but for the price you can get a much better setup. Also you may want to look into buying used once you get privileges to the classifieds. Lots of Injen one's out there for sale.

LiquidX · Mar 11, 2010

The turbo modle DSM doesn't have an aftermarket CAI. The one in the link is for a N/T anyway. Just get a good filter (K&N or Vibrant) and call it a day.
STM: DSM INTAKE | MANIFOLDS | FILTERS | GASKETS

OEM · Mar 11, 2010

I don't believe that the cai is meant for a turbo motor, that's for the n/a. I run a k&n on my 2g with no issues, cause it does not go below the wheel splash shield. Looks like i hit the submit button last.

boostedjay32 · Mar 11, 2010

Just a quick question.. if i were to get one of these.. how would i go about getting a CARB sticker.. if it even is possible.

LiquidX · Mar 11, 2010

Best bet would be to contact the company supplying them and find out.

95blackGsTurbo · Mar 11, 2010

The Injen one's are CARB legal I believe. The rest are not. It shouldn't be an issue at all, just leave the stock one on for emissions testing.

Kyogie12 · Mar 11, 2010

Oh alright, thanks everyone! I'm still not sure what an N/A and N/T are? I'm new to the whole DSM thing and have been reading til my eyes bleed on the whole 2Gs.

matthewdesigns · Mar 11, 2010

Non Turbo and Naturally Aspirated.

You can build a box around your intake filter to block the hot air from around the motor from being sucked in. It works almost as well as putting a filter down in the bumper. See below. Just pull out the access panel from the inner fender and you'll have a fresh air source.

GRAVEDIGGER · Mar 11, 2010

Kyogie12 said:
Oh alright, thanks everyone! I'm still not sure what an N/A and N/T are? I'm new to the whole DSM thing and have been reading til my eyes bleed on the whole 2Gs.

N/A = naturally aspirated (no forced induction ie. turbo/supercharger)
N/T = non-turbo (same thing as N/A)

BlackMount · Mar 11, 2010

Dejon Hard Pipe w\ Cone Filter (K&N I'd recommend) :thumb:

LiquidX · Mar 11, 2010

If you are really hardpressed to have a true CAI, you'll have to make one. There are some threads about that and it's seems up in the air on wether to do it or not. There are decreases in intake air temp but if there is any water on the ground be careful you don't hydrolock the engine. It's just a giant straw.

BlackMount · Mar 11, 2010

LiQUiDx said:
If you are really hardpressed to have a true CAI, you'll have to make one. There are some threads about that and it's seems up in the air on wether to do it or not. There are decreases in intake air temp but if there is any water on the ground be careful you don't hydrolock the engine. It's just a giant straw.

My thought on this:

When you have a Street Driven Turbo DSM, there are many oher ways to gain power. You dont need to worry about doing everything you possibly can gain power.

LiquidX · Mar 11, 2010

BlackMount said:
My thought on this:

When you have a Street Driven Turbo DSM, there are many oher ways to gain power. You dont need to worry about doing everything you possibly can gain power.

Exactly, which is why I only have an open element filter on the end of my stock intake pipe.

BlackMount · Mar 11, 2010

LiQUiDx said:
Exactly, which is why I only have an open element filter on the end of my stock intake pipe.

Potential of destroying your engine for 1-2hp IF that. sounds like a dumb Idea.

like all those honda kids who run no filter. it's like....gee Your not to worried about the life of the motor are ya?

Kyogie12 · Mar 12, 2010

Awesome. Makes sense now. Thanks guys! I'm gonna pick up a k&n this weekend.

brian9397gsx · Mar 12, 2010

dont know if it matters but my k n came with a carb sticker

BlackMount · Mar 12, 2010

brian9397gsx said:
dont know if it matters but my k n came with a carb sticker

does "carb" mean something?

or is that carb as in carburetor? cause that'd be um...pretty stupid...

like my buddy's talon who use to have a Edlebrock sticker on it

DSMDriver69 · Mar 12, 2010

Injen will send you a carb sticker if i remember correctly. I dont have that problem where i live but I know injen intakes are carb legal

m0nk3estylez · Mar 12, 2010

K&N and Injen both Carb legal
Some states need Carb sticker for emissions
K&N good filter for half The price of injen but injen has the intake hard pipe that looks nice.

LiquidX · Mar 12, 2010

BlackMount said:
does "carb" mean something?

or is that carb as in carburetor? cause that'd be um...pretty stupid...

like my buddy's talon who use to have a Edlebrock sticker on it

The carb sticker is for people that say live in California where it's basically illegal to modify their cars unless the part states it will not harm emissions. It's along those lines anyway and the sticker just states that it's fine to use.

BlackMount · Mar 12, 2010

LiQUiDx said:
The carb sticker is for people that say live in California where it's basically illegal to modify their cars unless the part states it will not harm emissions. It's along those lines anyway and the sticker just states that it's fine to use.

well that sucks for them

I liked it back in good old Wisconsin.

Land of the Emissions Free.

No Cat, No Emissions, No Head Aches

Tanro · Mar 12, 2010

The K&N is better than a hard pipe setup unless you wrap the pipe. K&N pieces are made of a plastic composite that doesnt transfer heat as well as metal.

Hard pipe looks pretty tho.

Rob10_99 · Mar 12, 2010

It's the California Air Research Board, I'm sure there's a more appropriate acronym that someone came up with.
Excuses for more taxes and exhaust nazi's to enforce a law that doesn't make any impact.

Basically unless you have a broken hood latch or a locking hood, you can easily be forced to open your hood to make sure everything changed has a CARB sticker, if not, you get a ticket. Several.

Tanro · Mar 12, 2010

yeah I would tell them to eat a dick its my car. But that is also why I will never ever ever ever never ever live in California.

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