Many of you have probably heard something about our Cobra Cold Air Intake System at one point in time, whether it be factual or something regurgitated inaccurately. We know what you’re thinking – “Not another intake post.” As much as we hate to beat a dead horse, it’s been a while since we’ve touched upon intake systems in the 10th Gen Civic 1.5L Turbo community. While the Internet can be a great place filled with an abundance of information, it’s more often a place where misinformation, skewed results and loud opinions overpower factual data.
Why does the Cobra CAI look so weird?
Our “Cobra” design is shaped and routed to induct the largest volume of cold air on the market with the smoothest, direct airflow possible. The lower portion of the Cobra CAI maintains a 4.00” cross sectional area from the air filter into the Mass Airflow Housing. Stepped 4-ply silicone hoses allow all components to be installed and butted against each other without seams for optimal airflow.
What about the fuel trims?
3D scanning and CAD modeling allowed us to design a properly profiled billet aluminum MAF housing to keep Long Term Fuel Trims within -4% of factory specifications. Because of this, our Street MAF housing provides factory-like drivability and optimal performance without any tune or ECU calibration whatsoever. Customers can expect a 15 horsepower and 12 ft/lb torque gains in comparison to stock WITHOUT TUNE by simply bolting on this intake system.
What is the difference between the Race MAF housing and the Street MAF housing?
We took the same concept as our Street MAF housing, but increased the housing diameter to allow a 50% larger volume of air for customers looking for even more gains than the Street MAF housing. However, due to the increase in diameter, Race MAF housings require a tune/ECU calibration. Fortunately, both Hondata and KTuner offer basemap ECU calibrations default in their software. Customers can expect a 20 horsepower and 15 ft/lb torque and even more midrange gains in comparison to stock WITH basemap ECU calibration.
What’s the difference between a Cold Air Intake and a Short Ram Intake and the PRL Stage 1 Intake?
The Cobra CAI System has been proven time and time again to offer the greatest and most consistent gains for the 1.5L Turbo 10th Gen Honda Civic. This intake system utilizes High-Density Polyethylene rotomolded tubing, 4-ply reinforced silicone hoses and an air filter placed near the fender-well to reduce heat-soak and draft true cold air.
Unlike the FK8 Civic Type-R or Accord Turbo models, the 1.5L Turbo Civic chassis does not feature an efficient air duct system. For this reason, a Short Ram Intake System or Air Box is not ideal for the 1.5L Turbo Civic platform. A SRI may yield decent power gains on the dyno with the hood up, or for a brief period of time, but these power gains will quickly diminish once the intake system begins to heat-soak.
For those who do not wish to purchase a CAI, the Stage 1 Intake System and Silicone Intake Hose Kit offer great gains for an affordable price. These systems replace the factory corrugated inlet hose with a smoother flowing 4-ply silicone hose. Due to the fact that the MAF sensor and housing is untouched, these systems do NOT require any ECU tune or calibration whatsoever and can be installed with ease. Customers can expect a 7+ horsepower and torque increase by simply installing the Stage 1 Intake System.
But what about hydrolock?
Ah yes, the infamous hydroclock. I’m sure you’ve all heard stories about somebody’s brother’s sister’s uncle’s friend who hydrolocked their vehicle with a cold air intake. We’re not here to tell you that this isn’t possible, but we’re here to assure you that you’re more likely to damage your engine with a heat-soaking intake that provides poor fuel trims than you are to hydrolock your vehicle with a Cobra CAI System. Although this risk is always possible, a little bit of common sense goes a long way. These cars feature quite a bit of under-shielding and splash guards to protect from water damage, unlike older vehicles that were more prone to hydrolock issues. A vehicle would need to be submerged in roughly 14” of water while WOT (wide open throttle) for long enough time to fill up the Cobra’s massive internal volume, through the turbocharger inlet pipe, turbocharger compressor, into the intercooler and charge piping to hydrolock the engine. With thousands of Cobra CAI Systems sold and years of R&D behind us, we can confidently say that fear of hydrolock can be put at ease.
