There seems to be a lot of controversy about the CAI design. On the one hand, flow is supposed to be improved. On the other hand, people say that the design actually draws more hot air in. Is there a net performance benefit? One way to test this would be via a dyno. However, the only dyno results I've seen are manufacturer-conducted, and there has been a question about what conditions were used for each run. The dyno also does not really replicate real world air flow (i.e. when the car is being driven on the road).

To settle this matter myself, I purchased a Fabspeed CAI from an online retailer. I have no affiliation with Fabspeed or that retailer. I then took OBD tracings of MAF vs. RPM and compared them for Stock vs. CAI under similar conditions.

MAF is measured in grams of air per second and already factors in temperature and air density. By comparing MAF readings for the CAI vs. Stock airbox, assuming no change in AFR or engine efficiency at a given RPM (just by changing intake pipes, which there shouldn't be), and assuming no change in MAF accuracy between intakes, the % difference in MAF should = the % difference in HP. I realize this isn't a perfect assumption, but here it is anyway.
One caveat is that the Stock airbox filters were not new and had some visible dirt accumulation.

Vehicle: 997.2S PDK
Existing Mods: sharkwerks bypass, IPD plenum
Measurement: OBDII data (~19 samples/sec) via OBDLink LX, and OBDAutoDoctor software
Data Collected: includes MAF Mass Air Flow (grams/sec air) and RPM
Test: same freeway onramp (done safely, no traffic laws broken)
Repetitions: 4 consecutive runs with STOCK airbox, followed by 3 with Fabspeed CAI, done on same day, similar ambient temps

Results:
+2.5% to +4% in MAF between 4000-7500 RPM in 1st Gear
+5% in MAF between 4500-7000 RPM in 2nd Gear
+19HP (ballpark), assuming the relationships above and stock HP of 385 @ (+5%).
Unable to show a difference < 4000RPM in 1st Gear


Mean MAF values within each RPM range:


These graphs are scatter plots of MAF vs. RPM. Again, MAF should be directly related to HP, given the above assumptions. Each line represents the 2-point moving average of a single run - this was done to smooth out the data points.

 

Nice work !!

 

awesome, thanks

 

gasongasoff,

I want to personally thank you for the testing you performed! I'm so glad you went into great detail and proved the results. We developed this system in house on our dyno with countless back to back pulls testing various factors of the intake. In fact we changed the design with the release of the 997.2 Carrera due to the dual airdam/snorkel on the rear deck lid. The 996 and 997 both only had ONE airdam which is why we used a carbon J-Pipe previously. We realized the potential for more airflow and more power with the dual inlet and switched to the Y-Pipe, starting testing all over.

Again, thank you for the post! Please let me know if there is anything else you need I'd be happy to assist.

 

That was an excellent post by
gasongasoff!
Thank you very much for the detailed post you put forth!Very informative! Good job Bud!

 

With all due respect you would need to use same air filter. Not sure that was the case here. Impressive expenditure of time and effort though.

 

I certainly appreciate the data provided by gasongasoff however, for me questions still arise as I have a 2012 997 GTS which has an improved cai compared to the 997.2 c2/s cai.

 

Do you think the results would be even better with a softtronic ecu upgrade coupled with the Fabspeed intake?

 

Getting to the point now after 18 days since my order and the only time I hear any response is if I initiate the call,message or text! Getting close to termination through Fabspeed! After ordering it will be terminated this week if not full-filled! If it is a supplier problem... they should switch suppliers! Almost 3 weeks since an order for a CAI for my 06 CS and then it will still have to be shipped! I call B*******!! Yes sorry I'm frustrated
!

 

18 days? You are very patient.

 

Your intake is shipping today!! I can't tell you how much we appreciate your patience!

Just as a general PSA:
We received a huge quantity of orders for intakes over the last couple of months which exhausted our supply of filters much quicker than anticipated. We have all of the backordered intakes kitted up and ready to ship, and we're just waiting for the next batch of filters to arrive. These filters are custom-produced for us by a local supplier who was kind enough to short-ship us a small quantity yesterday while the rest are being packed and shipped. We're getting orders out as fast as we can, but the larger filter shipment is due in this week, so all backorders should be fulfilled within the next few days!

 

Since you started on the Fabspeed customer service front, I have to say that I have not been impressed myself. While my CAI order was processed and shipped very quickly, the quality of the assembly (out of the set of 4 screws/bolts of the heat shield, 3 were properly tightened while one was loose. When I tried to tighten it up, I quickly realized that the bolt was stripped. So they just shipped the part as is instead of fixing it prior to shipment) and the quality of one component (the holes pre made for the MAF on the intake itself were mis-aligned so I had to enlarge one of the MAF hole) were not up to par.

After fixing these issues myself, I decided to contact the sales guy who processed my order to provide constructive feedback and not to complain. I was told that "it was the first time something like this happened" and that I should provide videos. Since the set of screw/bolt was cut in half, there was nothing to show, so I took a video of the mis-aligned hole and sent it via email. I never received any acknowledgment of the error back, or a "we are going to take a look at it", you know anything that could you make you feel good for not just initially taking the phone, yelling at the sales guy for shipping a mis-assembled part, requesting a refund or a new part with shipping at the expense of the company but for sucking the frustration up, taking the extra hour to fix and install the part properly and to genuinely wanting to provide a constructive feedback to help the business achieving a 100% success rate.

In summary, the CAI looks extremely nice, does not seem to increase power (997.2 version) per my butt dyno but creating an amazing sound above 5,000rpm. Just be aware that the part might lack professionalism on the assembly portion and don't expect the best of customer care.

 

I'm sorry to hear that you had a less-than-perfect experience with your product and follow-up service. Do you know who you spoke with or approximately when you may have sent the video? There are a number of things that may have transpired, included our email server rejecting the message because of the video attachment. Either way, I'd like to look into this for you. We truly pride ourselves on our product and even more so on our service, so I don't like letting anything slip through the cracks.

Feel free to email me at nick@fabspeed.com if that's easier for you!

 

PM sent Nick. Thanks!