Actually, I've seen actual test results that showed that the wrap actually increases intake temperature by providing thermal mass to a thin metal pipe that wouldn't have the thermal mass otherwise. The air moves quick enough and enough volume to overcome the majority of the heat gain that could be apparent in traveling through the CAI pipe.

If you really want to play with physics, get a ScanGauge II so that you can see the IAT and instantaneous MPG.

 

i asked my machanic, and he says that since under the hood is so hot, it quickly heats up the pipe, which warms the air. if u wrap it, he says the cold air will stay cold.

 

Next time you go for a long drive and stop for gas, pop your hood and see if the intake pipe feels hot or the same as ambient temp.

 

lol...wow... I never would of thought that posting this thread by mistake would sparkthis debate again..I'll be more careful next time on what i post.[sm=pcwhack.gif]

 

i used a temp gun, its25 degrees hotter then ambiant temp.

 

Idling or after a drive? ScanGauge2 displays the IAT. Sitting still, of course it's going to heat up ..... it's a metal pipe next to a running engine.

If you think that wrapping the intake pipe will gain some power from cooler air, go for it! But when you claim that there is a gain, I'm going to want to see comparative dyno sheets. At the end of the day, no intake is going to get more than a 3 HP gain and a little insulation isn't going to do anything but make your wallet lighter. The increased throttle response is from the less restrictive pipe, but this does not translate directly into HP gain .... the CAI gets a little less throttle response augmentation since it holds more air and thus more inertia on the flow of that air.

 

My hypothesis from any sort of intake gain is that it's the smooth, mandrel-bent aluminum allowing less turbulent airflow, rather than the wrinkled piece of rubber hose that is usually there.

 

It's also a larger and more consistant cross sectional area.