Running a WAI through the wringer

[Project84]

Originally Posted by theholycow

I've been slacking too. My excuse is that I can't afford even the slightest risk to my truck and my car is a lease. My plan is to definitely do it when my lease is up and I buy a Saturn S-series.

Fixed.



I hope the test route is a "loop" where you test one setup there and back, and not change it until you are back. I thought that was a given.

[FrugalFloyd]

The test route is a loop, 5 miles each way. I'll run it twice to accomplish each 20 mile test. Then I'll change parameters for the next test. I hope to do all the testing in one afternoon or one morning, to minimize variability.

More pix. Following shows the coupling between air horn and WAI.


Next photo shows the control A test air intake location. I put it there just to minimize my tube bending, but I'm thinking of running the tube up to the hole in the fenderwell (the dark area above the end of the current tube end), to get a real CAI effect for the control tests. What do you think?

[Project84]

I think the control test should be completely OEM. It's inconvenient, I know, because you already have the 3" tubing in there and ready to rock but...

CAI have been shown to increase horsepower and MPG.

Perhaps leave the tubing in the same type of location as your stock "air horn" as you're calling it was. If your OEM air intake tube was behind the radiator, place this tube behind there as well, even if on the opposite side as OEM.

[FrugalFloyd]

It's a PITA to remove the WAI. because I'd have to remove the battery and cruise control again. The control position puts the WAI's air intake in the same position on the right side of the engine bay, as the OEM air horn was on the left side of the engine bay. Both are up high, behind the radiator, taking in relatively warm air. That should be good enough to be a good control.

The fact that I can reposition the WAI to become a CAI by running it into the fenderwell, gives me a CAI test option. All I'd need is time at the drag strip to test its effectiveness.

[Project84]

Not neccessarily true... I have the x-gauge for instantaneous horsepower programmed into my SG! On level ground at a given cruise control speed, you could possibly test and see results.

Personally I think the added benefits of CAI or K&N filters in general, is they allow air to pass through easier, more air = more power just so long as you don't lean it out too much. So although you could set this up for a CAI test, its still running through your stock airbox and standard paper filter I presume... I doubt you'd see much, if any gain, even at a drag strip.

Hrmmm, makes me wonder what a real HAI w/ a K&N would do.

[R.I.D.E.]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

It's a PITA to remove the WAI. because I'd have to remove the battery and cruise control again. The control position puts the WAI's air intake in the same position on the right side of the engine bay, as the OEM air horn was on the left side of the engine bay. Both are up high, behind the radiator, taking in relatively warm air. That should be good enough to be a good control.

The fact that I can reposition the WAI to become a CAI by running it into the fenderwell, gives me a CAI test option. All I'd need is time at the drag strip to test its effectiveness.

I like it Sentra. Looking forward to your results. It would be nice if there was a a fairly low ambient temperature when you did you test, so the difference would be more significant, assuming there is a difference .

regards
Gary

[Project84]

Originally Posted by R.I.D.E.

I like it Sentra. Looking forward to your results. It would be nice if there was a a fairly low ambient temperature when you did you test, so the difference would be more significant, assuming there is a difference .

regards
Gary

I see more benefits from summer driving w/ the HAI... I think it's because you can only gain 60-70*F at best unless in rush hour stop-and-go traffic. So in summer heat of 80-90*F ambient, your intake temps are like 150-160 which as I've observed, returns the best MPG.

In winter, lets say today for instance, ambient was 26*F, I think I remember my intake temp being 67*F while going 40 mph on the way home.

[FrugalFloyd]

Well, I'm bummed out. In a nutshell, virtually no difference.

I drove to the test area doing my usual P&G, with the WAI in its control position. IAT started at 55?F before I turned the engine on. It's 9.6 miles to the start of the route. I got there averaging 58.4 mpg, and the IAT had warmed up to 71?F. I'd pumped my tires to 45 psi cold. They were at 54 psi hot when I started the testing.

I reset the Scangauge tripmeter and ran my first A test, cruise control at 31 mph, for 20 miles. CC averaged 51.3 mpg, 19.3 miles using 0.38 gal. IAT was 69?F, and water temperature was 198?F at the end. Conditions were dry, mixed clouds and sunshine, and <5 mph wind. Tire pressure stayed at 54 psi.

Now for the WAI test. I routed my WAI intake above the exhaust manifold, shut the hood, reset the Scangauge, and took off down the road. IAT jumped up quickly to 78?F - and then it dropped. Less than 2 miles down the road, my IAT was back below 70?F, and there it stayed for the rest of the test. Did my duct tape come unsealed? I was tempted to stop and check, but I had a test to conduct. At the end of the run, I'd achieved 53.4 mpg, 19.3 miles on 0.36 gal. IAT was 69?F, and water temperature was 198?F. First thing I checked was my duct tape job. Nope. It was still sealing the air horn/WAI connection. Tire pressures still at 54 psi.

Back to another control run. By now the ambient temperature had risen from about 55?F to the low-mid 60s, so I expected better results. Yep. The run ended with 53.1 mpg results, 19.3 miles on 0.36 gal, nearly identical to the WAI results. Oh, and the initial heat soak of the air charge repeated itself. When I started out, my IAT readings rose into the mid 70s briefly, then stabilized at 69?F again. I ended the run with IAT 71?F, and water temperature 198?F.

I P&Ged home with the WAI in working position, and got 62.5 mph for the 9.7 mile drive home.

The WAI results were so disappointing, I didn't see any reason to continue with them. I had some errands to run.

The main problem seems to be the WAI simply doesn't bring in warm air, but I don't know why.

Next step?