what if i wrap it up with aluminum foil , would that help ????????

 

Probably not.

 

So are the gains really worth all the hassle of adding a CAI or should i just drop in a K&N?

 

I'd say just do the drop in K&N

 

K&N advertises about 7HP difference. I'm not saying that's true, but I think there is a slight difference.

Is it expensive? yes. Will lots of small mods start to add up to notice an increase in performance? probably. So this is one place to start.

Shop ebay for both new and used. Check amazon and some of the smaller parts shops online--you can probably find a deal.

 

x2 on everything Oktain has said. I have not noticed much of a HP increase, however there is an MPG increase. I'm gettign ready to switch my cone filter to a k&n though. Cool soun, looks nice, better MPGs. 3 out of 4 isn't bad. I'd do this mod again if I had to start from scratch. Build a heatshield though, or if you dont want to/can't, then get the part # off the install instructions from k&n for the heatshield in their kit, and they'll sell you just that for I believe $40 + shipping if you call.

 

I bought a CAI off of ebay about two years ago. It has worked fine for me, I just built a heat shield for it and replaced the filter with a spectre filter.

 

im running a spectre 3in cone filter, (had from my cavalier) and just put it on my stock rubber housing, picked up 2-3 mpg, and addded noise =) i noticed a slight difference in power, its pretty much a short ram,

 

So all you did was take your stock airbox off and put a cone filter where the box was?

 

That's what it sounds like.... Most actually buy the fancy chrome tubes off ebay and swap in a K&N and build a heatshield...