whlimi

iTrader: (11)

Hey guys, before I go ahead and cut a hole for my place racing cai, i was just wondering how likely it would be to suck in water considering the filter will be located in the fender well. I live in toronto and we get rain and snow and i dont care to risk my engine for a couple of horses.

PS. I searched around and the most common case of hydrolock is when the filter is completely submereged but I just wanna have peace of mind and know for sure. Thanks.

98maximagle

Although I'm not the authority, as far as I know you pretty much can't hydrolock the engine with a CAI unless it's submerged or you have no plastic fender well covering. At least I've never heard of anyone on the .org doing it.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

The only time I have ever heard of hydrolock is, like you and 98maximagle said, when the filter is completely submerged in water. Until it is, air will still get in through the above-water part of the filter.

If you're that worried about it, get a bypass set up in the engine compartment.

Caracicatriz

iTrader: (3)

If you drive down streams and rivers then I wouldn't suggest a CAI. I'de get a snorkel.

d00df00d

iTrader: (4)

Just let off the gass as you pass through big puddles and you'll be fine. You'd have to be moving slowly through a really big, deep puddle to really suck up any water.

Even if you're totally slammed, your bumper and fender will push a lot of the water out of the way if you're moving.

But of course, if you're really concerned, and if you think you might encounter huge, deep puddles that there would be no way to get around, then there is always a bypass valve. Just don't get one if you can possibly avoid it... sometimes they make sqeaking noises when you get on the gas.

And try to keep the stock resonator box after the MAF. It's actually better for your airflow than a pipe section.

maxgtr2000

iTrader: (29)

You may not need a pypass with the stock box. That's what I'm running, stock box and cai piping.

whlimi

iTrader: (11)

So you have the resonator (Between throttle body and MAF), followed by the MAF, and connected to the MAF is your CAI piping that runs into the fender well?

Thanks for all the info guys, i think i'll get the bypass valve anyway and sleep a little better at night.

tikiboom

iTrader: (7)

Is that the accordion lookin part?

tomservo291

I can't picture our cars hydrolocking with a hole in the wheel well... however there are some cars where the problem is more pertinent.

My brother has a mk4 jetta (2001) and reads some vw forums frequently, and fairly often you hear about people hydrolocking. It seems to have to do with a specific design where the intake is down near the ground and will literally become submerged in a puddle ... not like water coming in through a hole in our fender wall, it seems in their case the actual filter itself is going underwater.

I wouldnt worry about it.

99grnmaxgxe

iTrader: (11)

If your are too concerned about sucking up water, then just use the midpipe of the CAI.

Maxima99SE

iTrader: (2)

my old roommate hydrolocked his car because of a puddle and a CAI... there was no way around it and he went through it pretty quickly and the car just died.....

MaximaEvolution

iTrader: (2)

Build a custom box in the fender wheel. Doesnt have to be very big, just enough to fit in the bottom half of the fender well to further prevent water from getting into the intake.

Get some sheet metal, doesn't have to be very thick, some type of steel and solder/weld the box together.

gen4maxima536

iTrader: (14)

http://www.aempower.com/product_intake.asp?subCatID=3
if your really concerned ^

where it would be in a maxima should be protected enough

l3ftonm3

iTrader: (2)

thats how mine is setup now and it seems pretty good.

Maxima-4DSC

iTrader: (1)

dont drive through frekin puddles...problem solved normal crud on the highway will not hydrolock the car. ive had cai's on all my cars. ive driven in rain and huge downpours....no problems....if you that worried keep your stocker.

i30krab

iTrader: (1)

Remember to keep this in mind!!@!

Question
Use of AEM Bypass Valve on Forced Induction engines??




Answer
AEM does not recommend the use of the bypass valve on engines equipped with forced induction (turbo or superchargers). Additionally, using nitrous oxide in a placement before the bypass valve is dangerous due to fuel contamination of the foam spring/filter as well as degradation of the integrity of the plastic due to the extremely cold temperature of the nitrous oxide. Nitrous can be used downstream of the bypass valve