you win this round cobra. next time you won't be so lucky



::smoke bomb::

 

I don't think this question is really this black & white.



Different engines have different make up and much different geometry, hell different intake systems. CIA's not going to do squat on a carbonated motor. Pushrod V8s and DOHC Betas will differ greatly based on the type of upgrade. Flywheel and clutch are the closest appropriate answer to accommodate all of the above, but cams and intake are generallymuch cheaper and have decent response.



Too many variables

 

I'm gonna say cold air is best even on a carbed motor. Remember the old Ram Air Pontiacs?

 

Ram air is a different animal altogether. That's more about equalizing pressure across delivery.

Cold air is more about about regulating air temps and cleanliness.





But I see what you're saying though, general intake. It's damn important for the car to breath right, I just don't think that across the board (bang for buck) it's the absolute best in all scenarios. Especially when (specifically regarding the beta) cold air costs $150 for the cheap ebay stuff, but used 1.8L cams can be found all day for $30. I'm sure there's tons of other examples on other cars. But that gets into the debate of how much good the cams really do. So it really comes down to research at that point. I can agree though that when NA modding intake is crucial and probably very early on the mod list.

 

 

A used 1.8L cam might net you 3 or 4 HP at best and you need to be a mechanic and buy other parts (gaskets, etc...) to install it. Any half-wit can install an intake themselves. Most factory intakes are intentionally restrictive to muffle them. Simply removing this restriction causes a huge gain in HP, relatively speaking. My '01 Tib picked up 11% at the tires with just an AEM intake. What other NA mod is gonna pick up 11% for anywhere near that kind of money?

 

I see what you're saying but nothing is being backed up with actual numbers. Butt-dyno is only so accurate. Plus if you pick up $10/hp with cam, you'd have to pick up 30 or so to make up the difference on the cost on an AEM CAI, which doesn't math.

 

A 10mm socket and the DIY. I've done it in less than 15 min. It gives more than 3-4hp.

 

I dynoed both mods back in the HP.com days. Doesn't anyone here remember my epic build thread? I actually installed the AEM on my bone stock car while it was strapped to the dyno. Went from 109 whp to 121 whp. The 1.8L cam netted 3-4 whp. It's not a 15 min job for someone who doesn't work on cars.

 

cobra we are few of a dying breed. i remember the dyno. i remember when the AEM didnt even exist and basically cloned the random special.



13hp gained completely stock with an aem (spiffyworks dynoed the first iirc)

the injen dynoed 12

random special dynoed 12 (not bad for $20)



the cam isnt a 15 min job if you are tibbychick



so yes best bang for the NA buck WILL be a knockoff aem with a decent filter



no ands ifs or buts about it folks