Intake Air Temp Question

[bornchevy]

I'm not sure how this all works. I am very mechanically inclined etc and I just don't get the aftermarket intakes I see. Aren't they sucking in enough warm engine air to lower potential power output?

The engine compartment of the sonic retains a lot of heat unless moving at pretty high speeds. I've even noticed at in town speeds it retains so much heat you can burn your hand on some parts of the hood etc.

So how do these intakes work compared to the stock intake with a high flow filter? It seems you would get much cooler air with the stock intake?

Or does the better flow offset the temp diff loss?

Anyone?

Oh, also, I noticed BNR includes the ZZP intake in their stage one kit. Would it be safe to assume this is the best current intake or do they just have a "deal" with ZZP?

 

[pacman552]

with my ddm intake i have knoticed a slight increase in air temp like 3-10*f at 30+mph, if i end up slowing down for a few min then i get a large increase in temp . the ddm intake and the zzp are the best intake out right now for hp gains, they do pull some hot air, but they offer much less restriction to air flow.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Also in the 1.4 everything goes through the intercooler anyway, that small bump in initial temps is nothing for this little motor.

 

[bornchevy]

Also in the 1.4 everything goes through the intercooler anyway, that small bump in initial temps is nothing for this little motor.

So I guess it would make perfect sense that the increase in airflow easily offsets the temp increase especially considering the intercooler.

I would like to know if there is a performance reason BNR includes the ZZP intake in the Stage 1 kit.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

ZZP has the biggest pipe.

 

[Swordsmith]

There are a lot of theories as to how and why different intakes do things and what they would do... but then there are dyno charts. Assuming honest tests, it should be simple enough to say that intake X gives you X1 hp and intake Y gives you Y1 hp

DDM has posted a few of these dynos, I'd love to see someone do a run testing all of them, and under some varying conditions.

For example, as noted above, there is a small difference in intake temp when you drive out on the highway, but if you end up stopping at a light or something, intake temps go way way up, as much as a hundred degrees higher than ambient. So there may be situations where the stock intake, or something other CAI breathing from outside the engine compartment, is very advantageous, and others where it is merely restrictive.

I like to think that at highway speeds I'm getting pretty much the effect of a CAI, which is to say higher HP but lower MPG, and at city speeds I'm getting the effect of a WAI, which is to say lower HP but higher MPG.

I'm not sure that's the way I'd want it though... and I keep dreaming of a switchable dual intake, where I could get warm when I want it or cold when I want that, by flipping a switch.

 

[Stratton_Chevrolet_Sonic]

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t5830/

You could always do this... Im actually surprised none of the aftermarket companies here have made CAIs like this.

 

[laborsmith]

Around here, up to three dyno pulls w/o tuning was $100 per session. Can get expensive as one winds their way thru the choices and the combinations thereof. I know one get get a dyno at the various car gatherings for as little as $20 a pull or a charitable contribution. I look at the dyno as an indication not as a last word as to where the car is at.


Laborsmith

 

[Swordsmith]

Yeah and try getting an appointment; I was looking at one back in December and couldn't find anywhere that would fit me in until the end of January. Couldn't commit that far in advance, wasn't sure if I'd even be in the state at the time.

BUT I'm not a vendor.

I'd think a vendor would find it worth the investment to test not only all the intakes they carry, but all competing intakes.

Or SOF could set up a testing foundation, accept small donations to buy a whole series of parts and rent out a substantial stretch of dyno time to try a bunch of combinations out. Of course we'd need someone knowledgeable, which lets me out, and unbiased, which lets out Smit since he'd rule out any intake which happened to be orange.

 

[Eric Smit]

it's true; I hate orange.

 

[bornchevy]

it's true; I hate orange.

This ^^

But maybe for different reasons?....

BOOMER SOONER!!

 

[Kuntryboy865]

Inferno orange looks way WAY better than the orange on the new dodge dart.

 

[ranvette]

I cant say i have a sonic but i have a Cruze.On that car all you need to do is run a K&N panel filter.Than bypass the intake resanator and your still running cold air.A set up that breaths hot under hood air makes no sense to me what so ever to use.If you watch the IAT numbers on a scan tool it runs always just about outside temp.Intercooler or not your still heating your intake air.

 

[Eric Smit]

I cant say i have a sonic but i have a Cruze.On that car all you need to do is run a K&N panel filter.Than bypass the intake resanator and your still running cold air.A set up that breaths hot under hood air makes no sense to me what so ever to use.If you watch the IAT numbers on a scan tool it runs always just about outside temp.Intercooler or not your still heating your intake air.

ramming a ton more slightly warm air is better than a small amount of cold air.

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

Also you're seeing IAT readings from the MAF not the MAP. So your readings are no good anyway.

Does the temperature of water matter when you're making ice?

 

[River_Rat]

yes, I believe the temperature does matter when making ice.

 

[dvn]

yes, I believe the temperature does matter when making ice.

Yes, hot water actually freezes faster!

 

[River_Rat]

Yes, hot water actually freezes faster!

given very specific circumstances (changing variables other than temperature), yes, hot water can freeze faster than cold. however, all else being equal, cold water will freeze faster.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/03/icy-hot/

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

The point I was trying to make is it will still become ice no matter how hot or cold it is when you put it in the freezer.

The intercooler is going to cool the air way beyond the difference from an SAB

 

[mitdr774]

A set up that breaths hot under hood air makes no sense to me what so ever to use.

Depending on what your goal is a WAI/HAI might be a very good option. in a non turbo car, or even a turbo car with a partially blocked off IC, you will generally see an increase in economy. There is of course the decrease in power, but if you are after conserving fuel and maximizing economy and not maximizing fuel consumption the decrease in power is of no consequence.