Opinions regarding a CAI on a 2011 WRX please

CRUZTAKER · 10-04-2012, 04:56 PM

Hello everyone. I haven't been very active on the site since I joined....but I haven't really done much aside from drive the tires off my 2011 WRX since I bought it in late 2010.

I am NOT a motor guy, nor have I followed the mod threads here.. So please be patient with my questioning.

I have a basically bone stock 2011 WRX premium with a Cat-Back Invidia exhaust. I also use the Cobb tuner purchased through a vendor on this site weeks after the aquisition of the car.

Recently I found that K&N now makes a CAI they claim fits my model year (69-8004TTK).
I made the hasty purchase when I found it for $250 free shipping through Amazon.

Now I am having some concern after speaking with a fellow with an STI I met at a restuarant a few nights back. He apparently did major damage to his motor after adding a CAI as a result of the fuel rails not keeping up with the new air flow (his words)....every thing after that is a blur. He may as well been speaking chineese at that point.

My question is: With my only mods being a cat-back exhaust and a cobb tuner...should I be concerned with modding the intake air?

I will indeed call the Cobb people tomorrow, but I would like the unbiased opinions of some of the experience mod guys here on this site as well.

Thanks in advance.

Barry in Cleveland.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

gutie04 · 10-04-2012, 05:01 PM

Your model basically has a CAI. You could put it on if you like just make sure to load a Cobb map for the intake. It will provide a different sound but no noticeable horsepower gains IMO.

wrxlaunch · 10-04-2012, 05:06 PM

Check the Cobb notes for the map you are going to flash and make sure you have all the required parts... You can install the intake as long as u going to tune or log to make sure all is well but I would install a downpipe also and just get a protune and be done with it

trev762 · 10-04-2012, 05:06 PM

Depends if u want noise cuz that's all u would be obtaining with this cai mod. If u r not specifically tuned for the cai u can do alot of damage.

My suggestion to u would be to do suspension upgrades and will be much more beneficial to u.

HinshawWRX · 10-04-2012, 05:08 PM

SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH! In the time it took you to make this thread you could have read UNABOMBERS MANIFESTO (stickied in the newbies section) and educated yourself. You car's STOCK intake is the best one for it. ALL intakes on subaru's, ESPECIALLY 08+ models MUST be tuned for that specific intake. Otherwise you can, and will in time blow up.

Cobb does not support any intake but their own now. So you will have 2 options. Stock intake, OR pro tune.

Unabomber · 10-04-2012, 05:14 PM

Unless Cobb tells you different, almost every intake for your year car will require a custom tune. Now you have two options:

Return/sell that jank.
Get a custom locally or an internet tune from someone like Clark Turner http://www.clarkturnertuning.com/

the suicidal eggroll · 10-04-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HinshawWRX

ALL intakes on subaru's, ESPECIALLY 08+ models MUST be tuned for that specific intake. Otherwise you can, and will in time blow up.

^ This

Quote:

Originally Posted by HinshawWRX

Cobb does not support any intake but their own now. So you will have 2 options. Stock intake, OR pro tune.

They also have maps for the AEM, but not K&N

OP - either sell the intake, buy an OTS map that is designed for that intake (such as one from torqued performance), or get a custom tune. EVERY intake on the 08+ reads differently. They must ALL be tuned for, and the tune needs be designed SPECIFICALLY for the EXACT intake you're running. An AEM tune will not work for a K&N, a K&N tune will not work on a Cobb SRI, the stock tune will not work for an Injen intake, etc.

kaczmarz · 10-04-2012, 06:08 PM

You may not be prepared for the level of noise K&N or Cobbs short rams come with. Do more research.

kingme · 10-04-2012, 06:16 PM

Amazon has a fantastic return policy, use it.

capnmonkey · 10-04-2012, 07:21 PM

I have the Cobb Intake, Cobb AP comes with an OTS map for it. No problems, easy install, 2011 WRX.

However, after running with it for a year and a half or so the sound is not cool/new/interesting anymore. As mentioned above, it's loud, like, vacuum cleaner in the passenger foot well loud. When I get the chance I am going back to the stock airbox almost assuredly so I can get the full range of the engine sounds back rather than the WOOSH.

DarkProphet · 10-04-2012, 07:27 PM

You can get in touch with Eric @ torquedperformance.com He will tune your car better than the stock COBB map and will defiantly be able to tune for the K&N intake. I think his maps are $85 bucks but he will spend the time it takes to get it spot on. The intake WILL give you a few extra HP (especially up top) and will add more turbo and BPV sound as well.

424wrx · 10-05-2012, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkProphet

You can get in touch with Eric @ torquedperformance.com He will tune your car better than the stock COBB map and will defiantly be able to tune for the K&N intake. I think his maps are $85 bucks but he will spend the time it takes to get it spot on. The intake WILL give you a few extra HP (especially up top) and will add more turbo and BPV sound as well.

erics maps come with about 6-7 map revisions for intakes that are listed on his site. its included in the price. he's a great dude. ive used his ap maps for about 3 years. any issues send him a datalog and he adjusts the tune accordingly.

MtnXfreeride · 10-05-2012, 11:41 PM

sounds like the buddy with an STI didnt do any logs after flashing to see if damage was being done.

The cobb SF intake was a 15 minute install, and the torqued performance map in my opinion does increase power a bit. The cobb stage 1 with SF intake map seemed to be the same on my butt dyno.

pimpin24 · 10-06-2012, 12:07 AM

I've been running the aem cai for about 2 weeks now and all I can say is its great Yes it is alittle louder but it pulls so much harder and feels more powerful. I have an accessport and I am using the Cobb stage 1+aem intake and its great just my thoughts on it

CRUZTAKER · 10-06-2012, 11:35 AM

Thank you for the wide range of feedback everyone.

The safest thing to do is to return this item and move forward in another direction.

As I pass 30k on the odometer, and have started to frequent the local road courses in Ohio and Michigan, I believe the advise of sticking to suspension for now is the wisest choice.

10-04-2012, 04:56 PM	#1
CRUZTAKER Scooby Newbie Member#: 269757 Join Date: Jan 2011 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: South of Cleveland, Ohio Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5-door WRB	Opinions regarding a CAI on a 2011 WRX please Hello everyone. I haven't been very active on the site since I joined....but I haven't really done much aside from drive the tires off my 2011 WRX since I bought it in late 2010. I am NOT a motor guy, nor have I followed the mod threads here.. So please be patient with my questioning. I have a basically bone stock 2011 WRX premium with a Cat-Back Invidia exhaust. I also use the Cobb tuner purchased through a vendor on this site weeks after the aquisition of the car. Recently I found that K&N now makes a CAI they claim fits my model year (69-8004TTK). I made the hasty purchase when I found it for $250 free shipping through Amazon. Now I am having some concern after speaking with a fellow with an STI I met at a restuarant a few nights back. He apparently did major damage to his motor after adding a CAI as a result of the fuel rails not keeping up with the new air flow (his words)....every thing after that is a blur. He may as well been speaking chineese at that point. My question is: With my only mods being a cat-back exhaust and a cobb tuner...should I be concerned with modding the intake air? I will indeed call the Cobb people tomorrow, but I would like the unbiased opinions of some of the experience mod guys here on this site as well. Thanks in advance. Barry in Cleveland. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-04-2012, 05:01 PM	#2
gutie04 Scooby Newbie Member#: 219717 Join Date: Aug 2009 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Jax, FL Riverside/Avondale Vehicle: 05 FXT Dom2.5R 4EAT FTW!!!!	Your model basically has a CAI. You could put it on if you like just make sure to load a Cobb map for the intake. It will provide a different sound but no noticeable horsepower gains IMO.

10-04-2012, 05:06 PM	#3
wrxlaunch Scooby Specialist Member#: 181298 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: MD Vehicle: 02 , Vf43 Inside.. 12 seconds at a time	Check the Cobb notes for the map you are going to flash and make sure you have all the required parts... You can install the intake as long as u going to tune or log to make sure all is well but I would install a downpipe also and just get a protune and be done with it

10-04-2012, 05:06 PM	#4
trev762 Scooby Specialist Member#: 280572 Join Date: Apr 2011 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: southern ontario canada Vehicle: 2011 sti sedan plasma blue pearl	Depends if u want noise cuz that's all u would be obtaining with this cai mod. If u r not specifically tuned for the cai u can do alot of damage. My suggestion to u would be to do suspension upgrades and will be much more beneficial to u.

10-04-2012, 05:08 PM	#5
HinshawWRX n00b Moderator Moderator Member#: 140114 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Jolly ol York of VA Vehicle: 06 18G Semi Built SGM WRX	SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH! In the time it took you to make this thread you could have read UNABOMBERS MANIFESTO (stickied in the newbies section) and educated yourself. You car's STOCK intake is the best one for it. ALL intakes on subaru's, ESPECIALLY 08+ models MUST be tuned for that specific intake. Otherwise you can, and will in time blow up. Cobb does not support any intake but their own now. So you will have 2 options. Stock intake, OR pro tune.

10-04-2012, 05:14 PM	#6
Unabomber Big Ron Moderator Member#: 18062 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: I can save you a ton of cash Vehicle: on car parts so PM me b4 j00 buy	Unless Cobb tells you different, almost every intake for your year car will require a custom tune. Now you have two options: Return/sell that jank. Get a custom locally or an internet tune from someone like Clark Turner http://www.clarkturnertuning.com/

10-04-2012, 06:08 PM	#8
kaczmarz Scooby Newbie Member#: 307624 Join Date: Jan 2012 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Des Plaines, IL. Vehicle: 2008 WRX Hatch 380XT: 325/343 @ 20 PSI	You may not be prepared for the level of noise K&N or Cobbs short rams come with. Do more research.

10-04-2012, 06:16 PM	#9
kingme Scooby Newbie Member#: 280943 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northeast Vehicle: '11 WRX	Amazon has a fantastic return policy, use it.

10-04-2012, 07:21 PM	#10
capnmonkey Scooby Newbie Member#: 255216 Join Date: Aug 2010	I have the Cobb Intake, Cobb AP comes with an OTS map for it. No problems, easy install, 2011 WRX. However, after running with it for a year and a half or so the sound is not cool/new/interesting anymore. As mentioned above, it's loud, like, vacuum cleaner in the passenger foot well loud. When I get the chance I am going back to the stock airbox almost assuredly so I can get the full range of the engine sounds back rather than the WOOSH.

10-04-2012, 07:27 PM	#11
DarkProphet Scooby Newbie Member#: 299707 Join Date: Nov 2011 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Pa Vehicle: 2011 Wrx 5-Door DGM	You can get in touch with Eric @ torquedperformance.com He will tune your car better than the stock COBB map and will defiantly be able to tune for the K&N intake. I think his maps are $85 bucks but he will spend the time it takes to get it spot on. The intake WILL give you a few extra HP (especially up top) and will add more turbo and BPV sound as well.

10-05-2012, 11:41 PM	#13
MtnXfreeride Scooby Specialist Member#: 228010 Join Date: Oct 2009 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Maine Vehicle: 2012 WRX Prem Hatch Dark Gray Metalic	sounds like the buddy with an STI didnt do any logs after flashing to see if damage was being done. The cobb SF intake was a 15 minute install, and the torqued performance map in my opinion does increase power a bit. The cobb stage 1 with SF intake map seemed to be the same on my butt dyno.

10-06-2012, 12:07 AM	#14
pimpin24 Scooby Newbie Member#: 328496 Join Date: Aug 2012	I've been running the aem cai for about 2 weeks now and all I can say is its great Yes it is alittle louder but it pulls so much harder and feels more powerful. I have an accessport and I am using the Cobb stage 1+aem intake and its great just my thoughts on it

10-06-2012, 11:35 AM	#15
CRUZTAKER Scooby Newbie Member#: 269757 Join Date: Jan 2011 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: South of Cleveland, Ohio Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5-door WRB	Thank you for the wide range of feedback everyone. The safest thing to do is to return this item and move forward in another direction. As I pass 30k on the odometer, and have started to frequent the local road courses in Ohio and Michigan, I believe the advise of sticking to suspension for now is the wisest choice.