Or perhaps it's the filter element making the difference. Don't forget that my AEM came with that new Dri-Flo filter they're using now. The main difference I think might come into play is that there's no oil. Conventional K&N type filters are oiled cotton. Oil repels water. This new Dri-Flo has no oil.

 

It could also be watter spinning off the tire and down the fender covers or something.

I do know it takes more than just getting things wet. I have a Injen, totally exposed to the front grill and have driving in some crazy rain without any problems. I do know without a bypass I am screwed if I go submerged though.

Chris

 

What is the purpose of the CAI anyway? It's a misnomer as it pulls air from the hot engine bay. At least the OEM pulls cool air from out front. Higher intake temp's = less HP not more. Not to be a smart *** but not sure why so many invest in something that provides problems. Forums are full of issues on these.

 

You should do a little more research before you post incorrect information.

Chris

 

looked at the picture posted....how much research does that require?

 

If all you are going by is the picture than I suppose common sense isn't so common now is it. I am not saying that the AEM is the best solution but it does not get its air from the engine bay. The filter sits just in front of the tire inside the bumper.

Chris

 

Hey M1James, CAI extend down and grab the COLD AIR! You should really do the research as stated by the previous forum member

 

In the pic it looked like the version that pulls from the engine bay....... my oversight.

Still don't buy into the HP claims many make. As if these small companies have better R&D than Nissan. With the numerous posts of CAI problems, their R&D appears to be weak. Parking in the rain causes problems? OEM is just fine.....don't know about the rain personally as my (actually my wife's) car will never see it.

 

You have to remember that it's not just a matter of air temperature -- it's a matter of air volume. The stock air box is restrictive in how much air it allows to flow through at any given moment in time. With all CAI or PopCharger type intakes, you have the filter element sitting there with no box around it, so it's free to pull in much more air. In fact, I suspect that the gains from cooler air are relatively small compared to the gains due to increased volume. I say this because many years ago, I had a Maxima. Nobody made a CAI for the Maxima back then (it was a '96 model), but Stillen did make this PopCharger type device. It was less than ideal because this thing really was placed right next to the engine. There was no attempt to have it pull cooler air away from the engine whatsoever. But the thing still main a modest gain of +3hp at the wheels (yes, I dyno'd before and after). So what does that tell us? Here's this thing, sucking in hot air, yet just due to increased airflow alone, it made a gain.

Btw, sorry my pic doesn't show where the filter element is placed. I actually took that pic months ago, long before I started having problems. By the time I decided to post about my experience with the AEM CAI, I had already removed the thing before thinking to snap a top-down pic showing the filter element.

 

semtex ... the ECU actually pulls timing when the intake temperature is higher, which could temporarily lose even more power compared to a slightly restrictive stock airbox. (although the stock airbox in the 350z is quite a good design)

The loss in power is pretty big when the engine bay sits there heat soaking and the intake temp sensor starts warming up. But when you're driving on the highway, and the intake temperature is nice and cool, the popcharger is a great setup in terms of flow.

Every intake has its advantages and disadvantages.

 

Good to know. Thanks!

 

Go with the Popcharger hands down. When i first got mine, i noticed my Z cut out on the highway on me once or twice that day, but ever since its been great. I think it was a matter of my car "learning" that it was on there.

 

I too, swapped to the P-Chrg after experiencing identical problems. The CAI does not like wet days. But, the CAI was a noticeable power increase above stock. At least in my case, the JWT P-Chgr does not work as well as CAI but better than stock.

 

Had the same exact problem a while back with my AEM. I ended up cutting the tube and bringing it up out of the tire well. Granted, I know this completely defeated the purpose of the intake, but, it still looked alright, so I left it. I had plans of installing a varis in the bumper so this setup would have been perfect then.

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....&highlight=aem

Does the bypass valve really work if there are only a few drops of water coming through the filter? It doesn't seem like it help at all unless the filter was completely submerged. Also, isn't the bypass valve up high in the engine bay, continuously sucking in warmer air? I'm asking, cause I don't know.

 

I personally know John Concialdi from AEM and i think they make a great product. I have a nismo cai and i'm pretty sure it's the same thing since AEM makes a lot of intakes for other companies. As stated in previous posts, i think if you run the Bypass valve, you should be fine.

BTW, last time i talked to him i was asking about their ems and he said to wait a little longer because they're testing out a new ems that is made specifically for the z's drive by wire system. he said sometime next year it should be released.

 

The way I understand it the bypass valve only works when the filter is submerged and is no longer drawing air at all to keep it from purely sucking in water. I have problems when my car has been parked in the rain at work without even having driven on the wet roads yet. Don't see how bypass valve would help this.

BTW anyone want to buy an AEM CAI w/bypass valve?

 

More to the point, though, even if we accept for the sake of argument that a bypass valve would resolve this issue, one shouldn't need a bypass valve just to have his/her Z parked out in the rain. I think it's perfectly reasonable to say that one needs a bypass valve if he lives in a wet area and/or regularly risks driving through standing water. But to say that one needs a bypass valve just to park in the rain? IMHO, that's just a indication of faulty design. And I've used AEM's CAIs on other cars of mine in the past. I've never had a problem (and I've never used a bypass valve). Overall, I do think AEM makes a quality product. But in this particular instance (the Z) I think they got it wrong. Btw, I noticed that they now sell a short ram intake with a heat shield. Hmm....almost sounds like a PopCharger!

http://www.jscspeed.com/350z/intake/aem_shortram.htm

 

i have a nismo cai on my 06 z and lately when it rains every once in a while it'll cut like stated under hard acceleration.. normal driving its perfectly fine