Story telling?
At first glance, it does look alike the setup of my engine bay, with the RaceCraft Carbon Fibre Filter, Breather, air flow sensor adaptor, samco/silicone hose and the cold air intake hose. A closer look, it also came with all the components and wiring that really similar too. Ooops, wait a minute, thats really my car!!!
http://usera.imagecave.com/zmcqdv/CF_Filter/DSC06694.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/zmcqdv/CF_Filter/DSC06681.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/zmcqdv/CF_Filter/DSC06693.jpg
Hmm, forgotten when the photos where taken, should be recently during some of the gathering. Well the above photo also not the most updated setup that i have done. Right now the CAI hose is more closer to the air intake CF filter and ofcos being cut nicely and without any sharp edge to provide better cold air flow.
Technical speaking?
Unfinished rivalry between the 'Short Ram' and 'CAI'. It will never be ended as technology of this 2 methods will keep on evolving, getting better and better.
Part 1 - CF Filter
From the above photo as what can be seen, the Carbon Fibre Filter is shielded with ofcos a layer of surrounded-shaped carbon fibre material. There are 3 reasons of this CF shield design in such a way. 1st: Carbon fibre elements will not get heated that easily and it's super light weight. 2nd: The surrounded shape of the CF filter guaranteed optimum cold air intake being trapped within the filter and prevent from being heated externally (engine bay). 3rd : Styling is the main concern for every car modder, Carbon fibre is the trend for now.
Part 2 - Short Ram
Shorter ram will provide less restriction of air flowing into the engine. Rite now the shorter ram as compare to the earlier setup, this one definitely improved much more as it's shorter, lesser metal materials and the new air flow sensor blue adaptor that enabled the connection to the bigger 3" CF filter. Shorter is always better in this case, as it allowed more air to channel into the engine for combustion, less metal will improve the temperature of air travelling into the engine as metal heated easily at the engine bay, silicone hose attached nicely with the adaptor meaning no metal involve. The only metal material is the solid blue adaptor which hold the air flow sensor.
Part 3 - Air Hose
White-gray in color air hose main responsibility to consume as much cold air directly from the front of the car when the car moving forward. The faster the car the more air it gets. The raw cold air will be flowed directly into the engine bay area allowing the CF filter to consume concentrated cold air directly from the end of the air hose. The air hose is located from the front bottom (bumper) of the car, going thru the side (fender) area to escape from the heat of the engine bay and ended just next to the CF filter.
Part 4 - Conclusion: Open Pod CAI
Open Pod with CAI, which made up of 2 different ingredients; the CF filter and the air hose. This is one of the cost effective and simpler way of having an efficient CAI system. The Shorter Ram with CF Filter will only consume more hot air if without the air hose to flow in the cold air. By having the 2 things together, it means a better result.
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For more details, the latest Hypertune Vol 46 came with 'Aftermarket Air Intake Guide'