i just got a cai(cold air intake) i went to replace the stock and i notice the stock intake had a plug with wires going to it, but the CAI doesn't have any holes for it, what do i do? just put it in and disregard the wire? is it a sensor? all answers are appreciated.

 

what kind of car?

could be an air intake sensor.
i just ziptied mine to the tube on my se-r, never had a problem.

 

94 corolla 7-AFE engine

 

thats probably what it is.

 

All answers point to 'intake sensor', monitors information about air entering your engine. Solution - get a dremel, drill a hole in your intake (about the same place where it was drilled stock woudl be a smart move, but not necessary), drop the bitch in there, and seal it up. Under no circumstances should you attempt to do anythign other than remount this sensor so it looks all pretty - the reulsts would be pretty shitty.

 

what would be the results?

 

I'm going to assume that this is an intake air sensor. It actually takes a reading of the temperature of the air entering your engine by means of electrical resistance or somesuch method.

Now, if you disconnect this you're getting error codes, and well...thats not a good idea. If you just leave this sitting there, provided that it doesn't fall against your exhaust manifold and melt or something, its going to read some HOT ass air when you're really getting cold air. Due to this reading of hot, your engine is going to attempt to adjust your fuel flow to achieve a stoichometric mixture. While its doing this, the gasses exiting your engine (which is now running lean because less fuel gets dumped for hotter air) will blow by your O2 sensor(s). These sensors are going to read the lean mixture and prompt your engine to try to enrich the mixture to achieve a perfect mixture. Now, in the end what will happen? I'm a simple car junkie, I'm not sure which sensor has bigger balls, but the ensuing fight won't be pleasent for your car's computer or performance. Your car will pretty much run like a dirty asshole in my prediction.

Bottom line, if you've got sensors, best to leave them attached and working properly.

 

wow thx, thats one of the best explanations i have ever got on tampa racing, very detailed. i'll definitely attach the sensor. thanx bro. one more question.


does cai really whistle on acceleration?

 

I've never personally heard it, but I've heard people talk about it, espically at low RPMs and with bargain intakes. I know when you romp on the gas with a CAI usually you can hear it sucking the air into the cylinders and thats a very pronounced sound, espically on colder days, but I've never personally been treated to a whistle from any kind of intake.

 

depends on which one your get....and its not a good whistle either BTW.....sounds like your timing belt is squeaking..