CAI Experience

[alex_btl]

I just ordered Fujita CAI taking advantage of the Sale in shop.versaspeed.com

My decision of buying CAI is absolutely based on my readings of different threads in this forum but I am still skeptic about this addition like

1) what advantage I am going to get after installing this2) Does it actually increase the HP or Torque or both3) Gas milage4) Speed Vs gas saving5) How to drive the car to take full advantage of CAI for fuel saving6) CAI one Brand Vs other7) Is it mandatory to install performance Exhaust to take full advantage of CAI or can we just use factory exhaust that came with the car?7) Any other pros or cons

I am sure lot of people in this forum would have experience using CAI for atleast 1 year please come forward and share your experiences and thoughts, it would be a great help for novice like me.

Thanks in Advance!

[Nismo V]

Let's see question #1

1-3) better milage ( if not driven hard) more torque and whp

4) already answered

5) Normal driving just don't be heavy footed, to save gas.

6) Fujita has nice apperance and hardware AEM most likely to get C.A.R.B.* approved * to sum it up it's stricter emmisions controls in these states; California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

7) Differences AEM slightly higher hp+torque and more finishes US made and C.A.R.B. approval maybe completed next year so save your reciepts to get the sticker. Fujita don't know where they make those a few member have them should be able to answer that one.

NV

[bulld0g]

Let's see question #1

1-3) better milage ( if not driven hard) more torque and whp

4) already answered

5) Normal driving just don't be heavy footed, to save gas.

6) Fujita has nice apperance and hardware AEM most likely to get C.A.R.B.* approved * to sum it up it's stricter emmisions controls in these states; California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

7) Differences AEM slightly higher hp+torque and more finishes US made and C.A.R.B. approval maybe completed next year so save your reciepts to get the sticker. Fujita don't know where they make those a few member have them should be able to answer that one.

NV

That about sums it up.....I have the fujita

[Andrews Chalmers]

How do CAI increase mpg?

I don't understand the physics behind this.

[alex_btl]

So I was Out of town and just got back.

NV your information is very valuable and helpful.

General idea is to increase HP + torque on DemandSave gas when driven carefully (Normal Driving)

Does Cruise control + CAI make any differenceAre there any sideeffects over a period of time

Will there be any difference in the Winter driving since there is too much cold air outside especially when the temperature drops to negative may be below 0 or -20 F something like that

Thanks

[alex_btl]

Found out a person at my work place who has CAI in his car for many Years and it seems like in winter it works OK

but he says sometimes especially on long trips on the highway the Air filter will pick up lot of moiture and he has to clean it

Has any one experienced this

Thanks

[SuperTurbo]

How do CAI increase mpg?

I don't understand the physics behind this.

The Physics on this one is actually quite simple.

Less restriction = easier to get air. so it increase the mpg a bit.

if you remove the whole exhaust unit, just let those exhaust gas dump right behind the exhaust valve, you will see some mpg increase too.

[SuperTurbo]

Will there be any difference in the Winter driving since there is too much cold air outside especially when the temperature drops to negative may be below 0 or -20 F something like that

Actually I do find out that CIA isn't good for cold weather places at all. like my MPV as an example, usually I block half of the radiator (Where the duct try to force some cold air in)After that, mileage increase. [Tested base on Toronto's Winter]

I guess the best bet is to locate your CIA into some places which is easy to reach enough. so winter time, you block most of the cold air to prevent cold air get in. Summer time, you remove those cardboard or so to get the advantage of CIA

[Andrews Chalmers]

The Physics on this one is actually quite simple.

Less restriction = easier to get air. so it increase the mpg a bit.

See that doesn't make sense to me. Cold air intakes are intended to increase power by introducing colder/denser air (i.e. more oxygen) which increases fuel combustion.

The less restriction theory doesn't make sense because as tests conducted by Consumer Reports have shown that a dirty old air filter does not significantly decrease mpg. You're better off over inflating tires.

Quote »if you remove the whole exhaust unit, just let those exhaust gas dump right behind the exhaust valve, you will see some mpg increase too.[/quote]Back pressure is very diff situation... as the concern is an engine has to literally drive the waste gas out & poorly designed exhausts increase the force expended doing so... I don't see how a car that operates on a naturally aspirated engine can "burn more fuel" to suck in air into the chambers.
Modified by Andrews Chalmers at 9:17 AM 8/17/2008

[superskunk]

just had my fujita installed today.... thanks pat! all i have to say is that sucka growls pretty loud.... its nice... enjoy!

[alex_btl]

Superskunk is it hard to install FUJITA CAI? I have read in lot of threads in this forum people complaining about installing FUJITA CAI Vs AEM CAI.

was it really hard to install this, and if so which part is hard

if possible could you post some installation instructions, it would be of great help

Thanks in Advance

[superskunk]

the hardest part is removing all of the parts... grille and bumper... everything else is pretty easy... just follow the instructions that come in the box... good luck, if you need more help just ask...

[SuperTurbo]

See that doesn't make sense to me. Cold air intakes are intended to increase power by introducing colder/denser air (i.e. more oxygen) which increases fuel combustion.

Modified by Andrews Chalmers at 9:17 AM 8/17/2008

Actually the sucking cold air is 1 part, 2 part is restriction, 3 part is how to let more air in (let air hit directly into the intake)

The idea for a NA car to suck more air into is actually kind of hard to explain, think of something which can run so fast, by the time it close the valve, it doesn't mean 100% full, you are tryin to get that bit into the engine too.

Think of a hydraulic pump, if it require you to put a 2inch pipe, but you put a 1.5inch pipe on, what will happen? lots of bubbles. kind of the same theory

Or charging a battery, in theory, you never be able to charge it full within short period of time, but if you take the time to charge it, eventually you can

[shiryu0]

i took a big-o shortcut when i installed the Fujita on our Versa, did it all thru the inner plastic fender, just turned the wheel. It was a little tight but got it done.

[alex_btl]

Thanks Superskunk

I just recieved my FUJITA CAI today, after reading the instructions that came along with that I feel it is too cumbersome removing so many things and now I am having a second thought whether to install it or not because I have never done anything like that in this scale

if shiryu0 shortcut method doesn't involve any part removal I would definitely like to know more about that

Thanks in Advance

[#1Tango]

its easier than you think, i installed my aem intake, i was VERY skeptical but the directions are straight forward (aem and fujita instrucations are pretty much the same). its very straight forward. just take out the stock airbox and pop the new intake in. simple but i wouldn't turn the wheel inward, i would just jack it up and pull the fender wall back so u have ample room.

[shiryu0]

easiest would be to jack it up, remove wheel, remove inner plastic fender, and youll have all the room in the world.............i did ours with the car in the ground, i got lazy and just starting working on it without a jack. oh and dont forget a jackstand

i dont get why they tell you take off the whole nose of the car

[alex_btl]

Thanks for tango and shiryu0

I am going to give it a try this weekend. Let me see what happens

[metallickirby]

I installed the Fujita intake today, wow... took me and my friend 3 hours....

We spent most of the time trying to figure out how to remove the fender, but when we did it... everything was pretty straight forward.

The system sounds great, I was quite pleased when I first turned the car on :P

Although, one problem.... for some reason I dunno how to properly refasten my battery. It's still a bit loose. The metal contraption that straps the battery down with the little curly hooks. I don't know where I am suppose to hook the front hook (the one closer to front of the car) Can anyone take a quick pic of how the front hook on the battery looks?

[fastlyfe]

lol. welcome to tuning 101. remember if it is to easy, you did it wrong. idk if you asked for help ,but its acouple of guys that have done minor mods and could have saved some time. any way congrats! whats next?

[alex_btl]

Well, most of the members in this forum have CAI installed with their current 3 year 36000 Warranty still in effect,

It must be, because Versa is only two years old

I couldn't find any thread that talks about warranty like whether NISSAN will support it or not and any problem they faced with NISSAN Dealer after taking their car to delaership with CAI and what feedback they got and things like that.

After reading the installation instructions that came with my CAI, I felt little dizzy and out of curiousity called NISSAN Dealer to check the price for installation, he was kind of agitated and warned me about warranty and told me that CAI will blow up my MASS air flow sensor and things like that

After all this, I got little confused and haven't installed CAI yet.

I will soon someday when I am confident and in good Mood! with the suggestions and encouragement form lot of people in this thread, I am confident that I can do it myself.

I believe people with CAI never go to NISSAN Dealership for oil change or for any other thing!!!
Modified by alex_btl at 9:18 PM 8/25/2008

[williamk10]

I did..and it saved me a little bit of money because i didn't have to pay for a new air filter even though the CAI cost me $180

[metallickirby]

Anyone know if a slight vibration on the gas pedal is normal after I install the CAI?

[Shad0wXCalibur]

After reading the installation instructions that came with my CAI, I felt little dizzy and out of curiousity called NISSAN Dealer to check the price for installation, he was kind of agitated and warned me about warranty and told me that CAI will blow up my MASS air flow sensor and things like that

Wonder how a mass air flow sensor blows up by receiving air through a different filter and location?

[fastlyfe]

I checked with my local dealer about install of aftermarket parts. They told me and noted in my account as long as the item installed did not cause the problem.. example, I installed lowering springs. if my struts go out its not covered. I installed CAI. if my motor blows they have to prove that the CAI was the cause. He also said the only thing I would have to worry about with CAI is sucking water into the engine. Wait I live in Arizona never mind.

side note. I buy synthetic oil and filter for under 30 dollars. I dont even have to jack my car up to do the oil change. why pay the dealer and have to wait for regular oil. I can do a write up with pictures if you want(it wont void your warranty) if done correctly

[alex_btl]

Thats what my dealer says

Thats the reason why I created this thread to prove that, its not 100 % true

some faulty CAI installation by someone or some other problems would have blown up the mass air flow sensor. you just can't blame on CAI

Most of us in this forum have CAI and none have so far complained about this anywhere and that itself is a proof

[alex_btl]

For fastlyfe response,

We really never know how our luck will be, if something screws up, we have to go through all the hassles, so better be conservative make the mods that is utmost important or atleast we have to know what we are doing

Again, this totally depends upon ones interest, desire and technical knowhow

write up with pictures on oil change would be a great help

Thanks


Modified by alex_btl at 10:54 PM 8/26/2008

[superskunk]

Anyone know if a slight vibration on the gas pedal is normal after I install the CAI?

i dont know that it is normal but i noticed it too... only when i let off the gas at highway speeds...