Having already been through this on another forum and doing a little comparison myself. I would tend to think that the airraid would perform slightly better at speed on the highway. You will get a small amount of pressure from the front, but not that much. Just like a ram air type setup vehicle speed is going to make a difference. I think 90% of our spirited driving would be around town where you're not going to get that extra benefit. This is not reproduceable on the dyno and I agree that closing the hood to prove it is crazy. Too much heat and not enough airflow.

With that said I do like the CGS design better due to the fact of the longer tube. Longer tube = more laminar flow = more accurate readings with the MAF. With the airraid air is coming in from opposite directions a short distance from the sensor. Testing would have to determine whether or not the airflow is straightened enough by then, but I personally doubt it.

What is the difference if you have MORE airflow (IE. less restriction/shorter pipe) if the computer doesn't READ it correctly?

Just my opinion, but I think it's a little more solidly based than what I've seen posted. That doesn't mean that I haven't bought the nicer "looking" part from time to time, even knowing that it might not work as well.

 

HHR not even hitting 150 horse?
Well "tube or box thingie" still not greatly improved preformance.
But most of what I've read about the "tube or box thingie"'s before they were available led me to believe there would be a 7-8 HP boost. That's OK. It always nice to have a few more horses.

But baby nothing beats a unicorn!

 

Tokyo mentioned that the chart is for the 2.2 version.

 

Yesterday I was at SOCAL HHR'S having my NEW CGS INTAKE installed and I had a chance to compare the 2 intakes side-by-side. What I noticed right off was that the airaid intake is kind of heavy. By kind of heavy I mean it definitely ways more than the stock set-up. The intake I had installed I would say weighs less than the stocker. I'm not saying that the weight is enough to offset "8 hp" but I would prefer less weight and better looks personally.As mention the CGS definitely looks alot better as well. Also after driving home last night I would like to say that I am very pleased with the results. This car just keeps getting better, now if someone would just develope a chip for it. I would also like to say thanks to Mike for putting up with all of our poop and still helping to bring great products to us. This concludes my opinion, thank you for your time.

 

I understand you're just stating an opinion but why even bring up the weight of the different brands? I dont think weight of the CAIs will affect hp gain at all (just as you stated) unless they are 150lbs or more. I just dont understand why something so small such as a couple of lbs difference would even be stated in this thread. Just my opinion.

 

As I understand it, the difference between the 2.2 and the 2.4 is HUGE. The larger engine has variable valve timing that makes designing the intake much more difficult. Why do you think K&N and AEM have not come out with a system, nor do they plan on it?

In other words, what works on the 2.2 will not necessarily work on the 2.4. And, the dyno test was done on the 2.2.

 

Lee3333

Wait.....and, I am not taking sides,

So, if I understand your hypothisis.....

If the dyno chart submitted by Airaid is for a 2.2, it is in fact, not relavent to the DISCUSSION. Since the test was done with an engine not involved in the discussion.

Isn't that the same as testing an air induction system (Airaid), open and with the hood up????

Sounds like everyone is "massaging" the data to fit their own beliefs!! Do you not agree???

In any event, I'm waiting for all this to "shake out" and then decide which system I want.

 

Which is it you understand, or you don't? I stated that it was a preference and an opinion. That's pretty clear. Go stab at someone else,I don't care which one you buy. I'm happy with mine and thats really all I'm saying.

 

That's the best idea. I have not driven a car with the airaid, but I'm perfectly satisfied with what I have, so it really doesn't matter to me even if the airaid were better. Good luck with your decision.

 

Actually, the Airaid intake is NOT a "sealed' induction system. The entire front of the unit is open - sucking in lots of hot air from the radiator fans and overflow bottle which sticks right up into the airbox. Opening the hood and running the intake hose directly to the 48" fan blowing cold air onto it could only help the situation. Since it's not "sealed" there would be no adverse flow effects.

Here's an overhead pic of the front:



You can easily see how lots of hot air gets sucked in through the front. The overflow bottle is radiating heat, the electric fans are also blowing against the front of the engine (sucking heat out of the radiator), and all this hot air rises into the airbox.

I think we need to quit majoring on the minors here - the hood up can only help.