CAI and Engine Temperature
 

Hi guys, pretty new here sorry if I am posting in the wrong sub.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I'm interested to know if the CAI has any impact on the engine temperature. As in, will the engine temperature gage read lower with a CAI installed?

I'm planning to get a Perrin CAI regardless - more for the sound/throttle response than performance. Just interested to know if this will be a side benefit. Thanks!

Short answer is no, the cold air intake will not affect the running of the engine. All it really does is allow more air to be brought into the engine, as cold air is more dense.

Long answer to explain the gauge is that the temperature gauge in the cluster is a water temperature gauge, known as your coolant temperature gauge. It measures the temperature of the coolant as it circulates either through the block or through the radiator.

When you start your engine and it begins to warm up, the coolant stays in the block to assist in warming the engine. Once the coolant reaches a certain temperature, the thermostat will open and allow coolant to flow to the radiator in order to cool it. At this point, the coolant is drawn from the radiator by the water pump, and it is sent back to the engine block, then again to the radiator, and this loop continues on and on.

If you watch the gauge on many cars, there is a point at which the coolant rises slowly, and then drops off just a bit and maintains that level for the most part. When this happens, you know your thermostat is working.