I decided to run a little temperature test on the Airaid air box and stock (with airaid filter)
H3 mileage - ~150 miles
outside temperature 77 F
Course was about 7 miles long and the air inlet temperature (via the PCM) was measured at two points at the end of the course.
Test 1 - Airaid
max temp after red light - 118 F (hot underhood air was being sucked in)
Point A - 108 F
Point B - 100 F
Followed by idle in driveway for:
2 minutes - 120 F
3 minutes - 124 F
4 minutes 126 F
Test 2 - Airaid filter and stock air box lid
max temp after red light - 108 F
Point A - 90 F
Point B 88 F
Followed by idle in driveway for:
2 minutes - 102 F
3 minutes - 108 F
4 minutes 115 F
I didn't do any 0 - 60 MPH or dyno pulls - the mileage is too low.
Even though the Airaid breathes better, it sucks in warmer air. Every 10 F increase in air temp results in about a 1% loss in HP. I don't know if there is a net gain with the Airaid (the throttle response did feel better with the Airaid) or the impact of the warmer air on fuel economy.
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