I have added pictures.

 

This is adding three more pictures

 

I have more pictures, but I am at my quota.

 

ok, I deleted some pictures and have more space available.

 

So the CAI did make the car a little loud, and I was concerned about the performance of the heat shield, so I found dynaliner. This product is a heat shield and also decreases noise. It is designed to go under the hood up to 200 degrees, and is oil and water resistant. I purchased the 1/2 inch material, and totally rapped the heat shield, and created a back against the firewall.

I recommend the Dynaliner. It is great. I did not do a perfect job at cutting the material, and did need to cut out an area on the bottom for it to fit in, but it does help decrease the sound the CAI makes.

I have attached pictures, and the following are videos.

This is driving it easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuxuOMg00xQ

This is driving it harder.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxBhGufOp4o

This is flooring it and letting it redline.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM_o96lReLo

 

i totally agree

hi every body ...
my nae is aziz and
i am from saudi arabia
i tried ((simoto)) air filter and i agree with you i didnt notice any HP improvment
may be because its hot in here and i didnt put a heat protector
but the sound was ok somehow
i think that in winter u will feel more HP

 

Hi aziz and Welcome to Forumz :wavey: I do believe you're the first from Saudi Arabia, but I could be wrong! Anyway, PLEASE do a Newbie Checkin so everyone can say hi. People don't always read a certain thread if they're not interested in the subject, and you may get lost and not get properly welcomed!! Picture of your beautiful country would be GREAT!! Enjoy your car!!

 

Albert, excellent job on the videos. Now you can see what I mean about how loud the intake is. Even though I can listen to the clips, was there a noticable difference to you when you added the sound proofing material?

 

The video's does not do a good job at accuratly demonstrating the actual sound level. The CAI by its self is rather loud, definatly to loud for the average person at 3000 rpm and higher. My wife really did not like it. With the sound proofing it has an increased deep sound, and it is a little more "air'y" and it is louder than stock, BUT it does not jump to that extra loud mark at 3000 rpm and higher. It is louder, still sounds deep, but the volume is decreased.

I definatly 100% recommend the sound proofing. If you like the car to sound really loud like any of the CAI's do, then great leave it that way, but if you dont mind it being a little louder than stock to "potentially" gain hp and gas milage, the sound proofed heat shield is the only way to go. It really makes a massive difference.

They make the Dynamat in 3 sizes, I got the middle size.

As a side note, After dring it a little, I opened the hood (Which by the way the engine compartment gets really hot) and put my hand inside the heat sheld to feal the K&N Metal, and it was a little warm. I am going to put another layer of the Dynamat outside the heat shield on the part that faces the exaust manafold, to help it out. I only used part of the roll I purchased, so why not.

 

was there any notice of improvement in performance and or MPG?

 

Read the entire post, and you'll get those answers on post #1.

 

Great job, albert! Rep points for sure!

As for the sound, to quote Peter Griffin, "Holy crap!!" It sounds throatier than I thought it would, considering it's a 4-banger. But it's still too loud for my tastes. Maybe if I had the whole car soundproofed I'd consider it.

Still, great and thorough job. We all appreciate your effort!:beerchug:


Joe

 

It does not have that deep powerfull sound that a V8 has, but it totally does not sound like it is flying apart, or like a weed wacker. I speculate that if the identical engine had 8 cylendars, it would sound like a highly tuned super car.

For the noise I 100% agree, the CAI's are way to loud, and I like a nice intake sound. Back in the 80's I drove 70's cars with V8's and I would turn over the cover on the air filter to get more noise from the carborator, so I do like more noise, but the CAI for this car is to loud for most people.

The video does not do a good job. The sound proofing does an excelent job. What I found was it is a pain to remove and reinstall. I totally recommend installing the sound proofing before installing it in the car. It also was necessary to cut out a spot on the bottom where the heat shield mounts to the car.

If you are thinking of adding a CAI, but are conserned about the sound, get the K&N, and wrap it with sound proofing. It is a little louder, but not bad. Make sure to wrap the back side close to the firewall, that is the area that blocks the sound going to the driver. In retrospect, I should have gotten the sound deadning material at the same time I got the CAI.

If finances allow, and I get my wife a Caliber, It will get a CAI, but the heat shield will be wrapped up before it gets installed.

The CAI with the Dynamat, is just a little louder than stock, not bad. The Dynamat totally eleminates the hesitation I have in suggesting a CAI to most people.

 

Well, that did not work, see the next post.

 

See the attachment for milage details

 

Great informative coverage you posted.

I may be wrong but if K&N used an R/T AWD for their dyno, how did they get accurate HP gain results at various RPM's? I dont see how that would be possible with the CVT since it always uses different ratios. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Or did they use an SE, SXT, or non AWD RT with a manual trans?

I was wanting that air intake, but I may be thinking twice after hearing the sound clips. I did like the throatier sound it generated but dang it was way louder.

Man this is depressing! First I decide not to lower my caliber, now Im leaning towards not installing a cai. Its official.....IM GETTING OLDER!
18 years ago my caliber would have had a radical custom paint and been completely shaved, been slammed in the weeds, had a killer system that would have rattled anything and everything, would have had no muffler with a megz tip, and god only knows what else. DAMN THIS SUCKS

 

They don't say, but I suspect it was with a manual tranny. The hp figure is no doubt under perfect test conditions. Don't expect what they quote for a hp gain.

 

If you look closly it states 2nd gear run. From what I have seen most are trying to dyno the R/T CVT Caliber with the autostick, and they put it in 2nd gear. That fixes the ratio, or very close to it. I think they should have gotten a manual R/T for a more accurate reading.

On a side note, the Magnaflow exaust IMO is the best mod. Unlike the K&N CAI which is very very loud, it only adds some noise, TOTALLY NOT Ricy either, and provides a better increase in HP from what I can tell.

I do have both though. The combination does open up the R/T AWD, with the CVT a little. I would imagine if I had the manual, it would be a lot of fun.

 

If you look closly it states 2nd gear run. From what I have seen most are trying to dyno the R/T CVT Caliber with the autostick, and they put it in 2nd gear. That fixes the ratio, or very close to it. I think they should have gotten a manual R/T for a more accurate reading.

On a side note, the Magnaflow exaust IMO is the best mod. Unlike the K&N CAI which is very very loud, it only adds some noise, TOTALLY NOT Ricy either, and provides a better increase in HP from what I can tell.

I do have both though. The combination does open up the R/T AWD, with the CVT a little. I would imagine if I had the manual, it would be a lot of fun.

so you also have the magnaflow exhaust? Ive been hunting around for who has it the cheapest. Did you have that installed before the cai? If so, how much difference in sound with just the magnaflow? Have any pictures of the exhaust?

 

I saved myself money and just removed the cover that goes over the battery and was the inlet for the intake, not only do I have better throttle response and I have cash to spare

 

I've read somewhere that removing the battery cover will severely hinder performance as the engine ends up sucking in hot air rather than fresh air coming in from the front. it does makes sense, too.

If you have a custom hood (or adventurous enough to modify the standard one), you'd be bettor off building a fresh air intake scoop on there. One that would provide greater influx than the stock intake (wich does look kinda flat to me...).

Keep in mind, also, that engines are often tuned for particular intake (and exhaust) pressure. In theory, O2 sensors should be able to compensate, but only a dyno would tell.

In my 96 Sunfire SE, I had installed an electric "supercharger" (actually more like a ram air system) from http://electricsupercharger.com/ This actually worked and could actually feel a difference in 1st and 2nd gear. I no longer have the unit (sold it along the Sunfire) but it would be interesting to see what kind of gain we could have on the Caliber with that.

 

I've read somewhere that removing the battery cover will severely hinder performance as the engine ends up sucking in hot air rather than fresh air coming in from the front. it does makes sense, too.

If you have a custom hood (or adventurous enough to modify the standard one), you'd be bettor off building a fresh air intake scoop on there. One that would provide greater influx than the stock intake (wich does look kinda flat to me...).

Keep in mind, also, that engines are often tuned for particular intake (and exhaust) pressure. In theory, O2 sensors should be able to compensate, but only a dyno would tell.

In my 96 Sunfire SE, I had installed an electric "supercharger" (actually more like a ram air system) from http://electricsupercharger.com/ This actually worked and could actually feel a difference in 1st and 2nd gear. I no longer have the unit (sold it along the Sunfire) but it would be interesting to see what kind of gain we could have on the Caliber with that.

Give it a try and let us know. Do they have the ability to force much air into the engine? They look like they can help increase the flow a bit, but not like a turbo will.

 

I got one of these about 2 months ago off autoanything.com and it is louder than the stock. and installation was fairly easy once hooked up the the throttle body. I left the battery cvr on since i noticed it supports the metal frame around the filter somewhat. and it seems to suck more off the cowl rather than thru that cover.

overall I'm pleased with the sound and the little bit of performance it adds

 

I got one of these about 2 months ago off autoanything.com and it is louder than the stock. and installation was fairly easy once hooked up the the throttle body. I left the battery cvr on since i noticed it supports the metal frame around the filter somewhat. and it seems to suck more off the cowl rather than thru that cover.

overall I'm pleased with the sound and the little bit of performance it adds

Are you referring to the CAI, or the electric supercharger?

 

The E-RAM I had back then was 0-12000RPM in 1/10th of a second. They enhanced the motor now to 0-27,000 in as little time so any comment I might have is somewhat outdated.

Though, that one I had displaced air at an equivalent of 80kph or so. So, that's the effectiveness of an RAM Air but at a start line. Effectiveness lessens as you accelerate, though, because the engine didn't adapt well to forced-intaked (I'm talking about the 96 Sunfire 2.2L engine here).

Unlike a turbo or belt-driven supercharger, the E-RAM doesn't have power lag, and the Caliber's VVT engine would probably be a very good fit for it given it can retime it's intake/exhaust valves at will.

I wont be installing this on my Caliber for now as the current R/T I have is a location. When the SRT4 comes out, if I make the switch, I'll start modifying the car (though the SRT4 is set to have a supercharger in it so the E-RAM would not bring anything worth to it).

This is what it looked like in the rusty engine block of my then Sunfire:

You can tell I wasn't going for aesthetics back then. But the custom tubing was as smooth as a baby's ass and was very effective. Sounded nice too. That white filter is the cam block air circulation valve.

That picture is also from a quick-test installation while I was trying out throttle-body switch. The wiring has been neatly tucked in after things were all set, and the tubing secured in place. That thing sounded very mean.

 

Hey, i'm new to the forums..anyways...i'm buying a K&N CAI tomorrow and hopefully i'll get it installed tomorrow as well if i have time...i'm pretty excited, i'll definitely let you know what i think about it when its done!

 

I put another layer of Dynaliner around the "heat shield" for the K&N "CAI" and it is almost identical to stock from 0-2500 rpm. and a little louder at 3000-4000 and at redline it has a slight resonance vibration sound. The 2nd layer made the difference for sound.

On the performance side, what I find interesting about the "heat shield" for the K&N "CAI" after 2 layers of heat shielding dynaliner material, the inside of the "CAI" is still rather warm to touch. CAI? I doubt it.

 

K&N 63 Series AirCharger High-Flow Intake Kit, i can get it for grand total of $187.16:b1: has anyone found it cheaper

 

K&N 63 Series AirCharger High-Flow Intake Kit, i can get it for grand total of $187.16:b1: has anyone found it cheaper

That's the cheapest I've heard.:wow:

 

Let us know what you think about it after you install it.

 

Rain??!? What's that? I've heard tell of it...

Seriously, 11th consecutive day of 100+F degree temps with a level 3 drought. We're currently 27" below where we should be for rainfall this year.


Joe

 

yep it lasted only 20min, enough time so i could not do it because i have to get ready to go out tonight!!!

 

well its a nice day here, so i installed the K&N intake! had to cut about 2" were the heat shied hits the dc strut bar, still looks how it should. checked everything.. went for the test drive and .... damn this thing is very loud now! too loud i think. i have not taken of the battery cover air intake yet, maybe that will make it sound better anyone else have the r/t with this K&N filter sound so loud?
will have to get some pics up soon.

 

Yeah, mine sounded loud like that when getting on it or climbing a hill in cruise until I installed the Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system. Then the tone deepened to a nice golden, mellow hum and it's not as loud any more. Could be it's fighting the stock restrictive exhaust system.