ebay CAI, electric S/C

[aleros_eat_rice]

Like the title says.
I looked on ebay, and I found some halfway decent looking simple cold air setups, anywhere from $38.50 to $50 or so. Are these okay for a start, or should I look at the higher priced models?

Next question, while I know the electric "superchargers" usually only kick out a max 3psi, and wouldn't get anywhere near the performance of a belt driven s/c, would one be worth it for some light performance, and a slight increase in mileage?

[03glgold]

Search button...it has been discussed many times, the electric supercharger bs actually decreases power any increase felt is placebo effect

[aleros_eat_rice]

Then I'll avoid that. What about the CAI?
Also, there is a turbo starter kit on ebay. Here it is. (http://m.ebay.com/itm/270970334376)

[a.graham52]

eBay Cais are the way to go. Just expect to upgrade the filter to a good K&N. I have no personal experience with the eBay turbos other then what iv read on here... Avoid

[AleroB888]

Like the title says.
I looked on ebay, and I found some halfway decent looking simple cold air setups, anywhere from $38.50 to $50 or so. Are these okay for a start, or should I look at the higher priced models?

Next question, while I know the electric "superchargers" usually only kick out a max 3psi, and wouldn't get anywhere near the performance of a belt driven s/c, would one be worth it for some light performance, and a slight increase in mileage?

Get at least 3-inch diameter tubing and just make sure not to run the car too long with any air leaks past the filter. Leaks past the MAF are a big pita.

There was some show where somebody took 3 or four gas-powered leaf blowers and supercharged a car with success on a prototype. Not very practical at all, just to show it could be done.

I figure a 250-pound, 50 HP electric leaf blower can do the job. Go ahead, try it ;)

[JLw7123]

The show was roadkill of hot rod magazine. Ya I bought cai's for both of my alero's from eBay and just replaced the filters with k&n filters.

[01OhioAlero]

As what they said, the ebay CAI's are good besides the filter. Electric
superchargers are a load of junk just like 5$ 50hp chips. Before you get turbo you may want to build your internals, especially with as many miles as your car has.

[aleros_eat_rice]

I wasn't planning on going turbo without a stronger cam and crank, and better connecting rods. Maybe even forged pistons. Was already planning a rebuild next tax time anyway. Would OE replacements be ok for a starter turbo like that, or would forged be necessary?

[Shiwnath]

I wasn't planning on going turbo without a stronger cam and crank, and better connecting rods. Maybe even forged pistons. Was already planning a rebuild next tax time anyway. Would OE replacements be ok for a starter turbo like that, or would forged be necessary?

I really don't think you're ready to plan a serious build if you're asking about electric superchargers and cold air intakes. You don't seem to have a firm enough grasp on what's required in terms of engine building. Instead of asking all these questions you should take time to actually do research instead of having people have to explain every single detail to you. Use the search button. Join the 60degreeV6 forums as well. There's tons of information about our engines on there. A lot people who "plan" on turboing don't end up doing anything at all. You should wait until you're well informed before posting what you plan on doing.

[aleros_eat_rice]

This is why I ask here, where people have done it before, on a car that I actually drive.

Also, notice how I plan to do it next year, not right now. That way, I can have as much information as possible.

[a.graham52]

its just something we see atleast once a month or so. somone comes on with big intentions but nothing ever happens. consider shiwnath said as like probation period. members here (the diehards cuz alermod is soo small), like to see the proper commitment. not just a plan.

[aleros_eat_rice]

I completely understand where you're coming from on that. But I do have a plan, I am building up my information, and I'm not going to even attempt this project until I have enough money saved up to get all of the proper parts and tools together at one time.

Little things, yes. The CAI, I can bolt on myself. The ported plenum? I can pluck one from a junkyard car and clean it up and send it in to be ported, so I can keep mine on and stay driving until it comes back from porting.
Stuff that I can quickly and easily put on without digging into the engine, I can do short term. The rebuild was also about re ringing and putting in new internals, because... the miles. I can just substitute OE for more sturdy internals on the rebuild.

[Nas Escobar]

Aleros eat rice, you can make your own CAI and buy the K&N filter separate. All you really need is 3" aluminum tubing. Also, most of those eBay "CAI"s are "SRI"s. Short Ram Intakes that do nothing other than replace the filter. Sure the sound of them are nice when you give it gas, but the engine is really sucking in the hot air from the engine. You would need to put the cone inside the fender, which would mean that you would also have to take the silencer out of the car, which is hidden in the fender.

Just to be clear, this is a true CAI
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2158/4961/30394980013_large.jpg

This is an SRI
http://www.cosmoracing.com/images/products/2056.jpg

[aleros_eat_rice]

The pictures they show on ebay for the description look a lot like that, with the tubing running down into the fender. The biggest thing for me would be making sure the sensors that plug into the stock intake elbow can hook into the CAI somewhere.
That was also something I already knew, about the cone going in the fender. Otherwise, wouldn't it more or less be a WAI, or some variant?

[01OhioAlero]

I bought this one. It will here tommorrow or today. I can tell you if its any goodhttp://www.ebay.com/itm/PONTIAC-GRAND-AM-OLDSMOBILE-ALERO-SE-GT-3-4-3-4L-V6-COLD-AIR-INTAKE-2PC-1999-05-/281021780143?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &hash=item416e3410af

[aleros_eat_rice]

I guess as long as the splash shield is sealed up good, there shouldn't be much to worry about in the way of hydrolocking.

[Nas Escobar]

The pictures they show on ebay for the description look a lot like that, with the tubing running down into the fender. The biggest thing for me would be making sure the sensors that plug into the stock intake elbow can hook into the CAI somewhere.
That was also something I already knew, about the cone going in the fender. Otherwise, wouldn't it more or less be a WAI, or some variant?

WAI is the informal term, SRI is what they're actually called, but eBay sellers will call them "CAI" even though they're not truly "CAI"'s but instead "WAI" or "SRI".

The only sensor you need worry about is the IAC, which the eBay tubes will have, but you would have to make if you bought your own aluminum tubes. The couplers will attach the MAF to the tubes, BUT you have to make sure they're tight otherwise you will get the SES light.

[Redog]

I really don't think you're ready to plan a serious build if you're asking about electric superchargers and cold air intakes. You don't seem to have a firm enough grasp on what's required in terms of engine building. Instead of asking all these questions you should take time to actually do research instead of having people have to explain every single detail to you. Use the search button. Join the 60degreeV6 forums as well. There's tons of information about our engines on there. A lot people who "plan" on turboing don't end up doing anything at all. You should wait until you're well informed before posting what you plan on doing.


I said something like this last week.

If you really want one of those electric superchargers that move a whopping 750 CFM, google "galley fan" because that's all they are. You can pick one up for $20 and maybe about $10 in wiring.

I know because I bought 6 of them and sold them back on eBay for around $400 each back in my dishonest days :awesome:

With that said, you pretty much lose all creditablly when ask about an electric supercharger, even more so when you said usually only kick out a max 3psi

[aleros_eat_rice]

I guess I should have noted that the ones I had found would do that, didn't know about any other electric s/c's back then.
Just wait and see. I'll mod her the way I say I'm going to.

[03glgold]

there are absolutely ZERO electric superchargers that do anything, there are no "the ones I saw" because they are all the same and they are all crap and a way to take your money and laugh at you

[[ion] C2]

don't rice out your supposed "rice beater"
there are absolutely ZERO electric superchargers that do anything
except for the Thomas Knight design, but it's just stupid not to have a proper mechanical system that works all the time, when you want it.

[aleros_eat_rice]

there are absolutely ZERO electric superchargers that do anything, there are no "the ones I saw" because they are all the same and they are all crap and a way to take your money and laugh at you
That's what I figured. They all look like some quick clamshell pack from a magazine.

C2;653080']don't rice out your supposed "rice beater"

Don't plan to. Just plan (short term) go with the CAI, then ported plenum, then save up and maybe buy LX9 heads and LIM as I go, then get the heads and LIM ported just before tax time, and then when I rebuild, just use the LX9 parts on the rebuild.
That's my plan. The CAI might even be ordered this week or next, installed same day it arrives.
If I wanted to rice it out (at least the way they do it around here), I would get it lowered, a different colored hood, 3 different colored doors, a flat black trunk lid, huge rims with paper thin lopros that I need to cut out the fenderwells, the brightest HIDs available, almost illegal tint, and a fart can muffler.
Sad part is, that is not an exaggeration. I plan to keep mine clean and straight up stock looking, with a few engine mods.