Ok so here's the deal guys/gals:

I bought an AMS CAI a few months back... However, after hearing all the fuss about hydrolock, I'm having doubts about putting it on. It's a DD by the way...

While putting on the FMIC, UICP & LICP, I thought that maybe I could just avoid putting on the additional parts that make the piece a CAI and just install the first piece and make it a regular short intake.

So.... my question is, is this safe? Will I have a problem or anything. Part of says... it's a stupid question and the answer is obvious! However, I just want to play it safe.

Thanks again and sorry for the newbie question.

 

Cold air intakes which mount low can be an entry point for water when it is raining. Most use a short ram intake, less water worries. I went with an Apexi power intake with stock intake tube.

 

you have to be almost fully submerged for that to happen.I have a a cai in my gti for years.Its SUPER low and i have driven in the rain 1000000 times through huge puddles and everything

 

To get Hydrolock with the CAI you essentially have to submerge your entire filter element in water while driving. Chances of this happing are slim to none unless you like driving through lakes.

I recommend just installing the entire CAI

 

I know, I've heard that you have to be in some pretty deep water... but just for piece of mind I've decided to do this.

However, my question still lingers... can I convert my CAI to a regular with the pieces provided?

 

What about the snow? I see you're from CO so I know you see your fair share of snow. Driving through large amounts of snow... say 10"+ are no problem?

 

So to answer the OP's question...

You shouldn't have any problem installing the filter with just the top piece of pipe. AFAIK, this would be the same as using AMS' standard short ram intake. The MAF sensor is located on the upper pipe so you're not removing anything of importance. AMS even sells a cold air conversion kit to turn the SRI into a CAI by adding in the lower pipes to relocate the filter out of the engine bay.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking/looking to hear... just looking for some confirmation since I'm new to all this.

Thank you!!!

 

http://www.aemintakes.com/air_bypass_valve.htmhttp://www.aemintakes.com/air_bypass_valve.htm

Get one of these and you shouldn't have to worry about it.

 

^Bypass valves are not made for turbo cars.

I went puddle jumping many times with my old ralliart with a cold air intake, and i was fine. You would have to sumerge the filter to hydrolock. Just dont drive your car in a flood. and drive around the big puddles.

 

they put down that it's not for F/I cars because the sheer force of the air intake may quite literally rip apart the rather thin foam layer and it will cause internal damage once entered into the system.

i ran this in a s/c car with 12psi before and it was fine. (after i hydrolocked once before - trust me, it does happen, and it will happen when you least expects it) not sure if it can withstand 23+psi though.

 

The reason it is not for forced induction cars is because it will suck air through the foam defeating the purpose of the CAI in the first place.