Do you really need a CAI? For the risk you run of hydrolocking, and the MINIMAL performance difference, you're probably be better off with a short ram, which you could make yourself for about $30.
Technically, a cold air is better. But in order to even have a chance to reap the benefits of a CAI vs. a short ram, you'd already be dumping a ton of money into the motor. Yes, cooler air is better than warmer air. But seriously, you won't even notice the less-than-one-horsepower difference on an otherwise stock engine. If you were talking about dumping a couple grand into the motor, with serious modification, then it MIGHT be worth the cash for a CAI.
It's a matter of what you expect to do. Do you expect to build this motor to the gills, or are you just looking for a little more than what it has now?
An even better set of mods you could get for about the same price would be an underdrive pulley and a self-made short ram intake. You could reasonably expect to see 10-15hp from those mods together. That may not sound like much, but think about this- it's about a 10% hp increase. You already have an exhaust, which is one of the better things you can do to help the Zetec breathe easy.
Intake, exhaust and a UDP would be a pretty good set of starter mods.
Since we're here, why not tell us a little about you, what you plan to do with your car, and what kind of experience you have working on cars. We're a friendly group here, and we're willing to help point you in the right direction.
Also, where are you from? We might have some local members you could hook up with.
Really i just want something to help my engine breath easier and add alittle better take of at the stop signs and lights. I dont really wanna add a hole lot. I would like to put a body kit on, rims, not much really, some projecter headlights, eurotails, just enough to make it look different from the other ones around here. oh and maybe an undercar light kit. I wanna go with blue and gold as a paint sceam.
My name is Jeff, i live in Washington missouri, and
