CPL CAI Review - FN2

ash_rage · 26th May 2012, 13:56

Hi,

Firstly big thanks to Guy and Lynn for their help and speedy delivery of my CPL CAI.

I have had three intakes now, HKS RSK, Mugen Intake and now the CPL CAI. The HKS RSK was removed as I got fed up with the car feeling sluggish in traffic and on hot days, the Mugen intake cost me a fortune and it bothered me that I only had small gains over the HKS RSK (on a hub dyno with the bonnet up).

Now I have to admit when I got my JRSC fitted last year Guy did say he felt the CPL CAI might be better than the Mugen intake I had fitted to my car but I ignored him (I was in denial as the Mugen intake cost me so much

).

So a year went on and I couldn't help being lured to trying out the CPL CAI as the route it took just made so much more sense than the route my Mugen intake took.

So it arrived promptly and I fitted it myself last weekend, the instructions provided were very good and were broken down to easy to understand steps so even someone who isnt a mechanic could fit it, I have to admit I quite enjoyed fitting it actually. Everything fits perfectly, no rattles or anything, makes sense as it was specifically designed for the FN2.

Now onto the quality. The welds on the intake pipe were excellent and battery relocation kit really felt sturdy and solid bit of kit. Also a cleanable K&N air filter was provided.

So it was fitted and as suspected the cal on my car did not need changing (I run MAP fueling).

I used to think the HKS RSK was the best sounding intake, boy was I wrong. The CPL CAI sounds awesome at full throttle, it really highlights the whining of my JRSC.

Intake air temps are much closer to atmospheric temps than they used to be on any of my previous intakes. Also its worth noting how hot it has been in Colchester this week (HOT!). The filter sits just a bit higher than where my Mugen scoop used to be, which makes sense as it has a nice cold feed of air and it is not exposed to rain entering into that area.

The car feels immense to drive, I kid you not if you told me someone secretly fitted a smaller pulley with cooling to my JRSC I'd beleive them. Throttle response is fantastic now and the car just feels like it pulls stronger in every gear throughout the rev range, also there are no flat spots.

I strongly recommend anyone looking for an aftermarket FN2 intake to seriously consider the CPL CAI, as out of three intakes I have had it is the best of the lot IMO and is very good value for money.

Thanks again CPL Racing.

Pictures below

Guitaralmond · 26th May 2012, 14:23

Am I right in thinking its better as you're SC though. There's surely not a reason to have this over the Mugen kit for everyone NA, apart from price obviously!

Wasn't the CPL kit developed on a SC car??

ash_rage · 26th May 2012, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitaralmond

Am I right in thinking its better as you're SC though. There's surely not a reason to have this over the Mugen kit for everyone NA, apart from price obviously!

Wasn't the CPL kit developed on a SC car??

Hi,

I don't think the CPL CAI was developed on a SC FN2, I'm sure Guy can confirm that if you give him a call.

Also I had my Mugen and HKS RSK when NA. Obviously I had my Mugen intake and this CPL CAI when I was FI.

I'd say my opinion and observations are valid on NA and FI FN2s.

Revs FN2 · 26th May 2012, 14:44

Edited as requested

ash_rage · 26th May 2012, 14:58

Hi Revs_FN2,

We don't want to turn this into a tuners war thread. Please edit your response. There is an informative comparison between the HKS RSK and CPL CAI on here. I'll go find the link

ash_rage · 26th May 2012, 15:11

Here you go buddy

FN2 Air Intake Comparison

Revs FN2 · 26th May 2012, 15:21

Sorry bud. Cheers for the link, I've not seen that thread.

EDIT: Good review BTW

ash_rage · 26th May 2012, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revs FN2

Sorry bud. Cheers for the link, I've not seen that thread.

EDIT: Good review BTW

No problem buddy

Just didn't want this thread being binned like all the others

Why not sell the RSK and get a CPL CAI? Then you have piece of mind.

Staffs Deltic · 26th May 2012, 17:07

Nice write up. I love the CPL CAI. As far as noise is concerned, it is as good as the HKS RSK. I would not look at another intake!

Noxia · 26th May 2012, 17:41

Great review. Lynn just text me to say mine is on it way

Madcaddies · 26th May 2012, 17:42

I have the CPL cai on my NA setup. I totally agree with ASH. The sound, throttle response and the quality is immense

I love it.

Revs FN2 · 26th May 2012, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash_rage

Why not sell the RSK and get a CPL CAI? Then you have piece of mind.

I think I will. I've just put the stock setup back on for now. It's soo quiet.. but responsive!

karl.hart · 26th May 2012, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revs FN2

I think I will. I've just put the stock setup back on for now. It's soo quiet.. but responsive!

The reason its more responsive is because your reducing the amount of hot air in the intake.. Cold air makes a car run more responsive and make more power.

I would go as far as saying that a stock box on a hot day is far better then a hks rsk

ash_rage · 26th May 2012, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by karl.hart

The reason its more responsive is because your reducing the amount of hot air in the intake.. Cold air makes a car run more responsive and make more power.

I would go as far as saying that a stock box on a hot day is far better then a hks rsk

+1

Three best mods for improving power of my car: JRSC, CPL CAI, and TODA manifold

That's how highly I rate this intake

Revs FN2 · 26th May 2012, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by karl.hart

The reason its more responsive is because your reducing the amount of hot air in the intake.. Cold air makes a car run more responsive and make more power.

I would go as far as saying that a stock box on a hot day is far better then a hks rsk

I know bud, hence the return to stock

gimble · 26th May 2012, 19:05

looks like cpl cai going to be my first engine mod.

Swalesy · 26th May 2012, 19:49

I bought a HKS RSK a couple of weeks ago; it was bought and fitted on the same Saturday, taken off on Tuesday, sold on Wednesday. Completely killed my throttle response in all conditions. Not sure what it would be like on a mapped car, but on my stock motor, I really didn't like it.

After LSD and BBK, I think the CPL will be my choice when I start looking at power (with Flashpro of course

)

Thanks for the review ash_rage

Noxia · 26th May 2012, 19:52

Oh I bought the last one today but they'll have more in stock soon!

rowbo · 26th May 2012, 20:08

does the cai require mapping ?

Swalesy · 26th May 2012, 20:08

Don't worry about it, I won't be buying for a while, LSD and BBK first

26th May 2012, 14:44	#4 (permalink)
Revs FN2 aka Paul Join Date: 14th April 2012 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 2,490 Thanks given: 680 Thanked 489 Times in 420 Posts iTrader: (7)	Edited as requested Last edited by Revs FN2; 26th May 2012 at 15:19.

26th May 2012, 14:58	#5 (permalink)
ash_rage Supporter Thread starter Car: CTR GT Join Date: 14th January 2010 Location: London and Essex Posts: 6,436 Thanks given: 702 Thanked 557 Times in 466 Posts iTrader: (21)	Hi Revs_FN2, We don't want to turn this into a tuners war thread. Please edit your response. There is an informative comparison between the HKS RSK and CPL CAI on here. I'll go find the link Last edited by ash_rage; 26th May 2012 at 15:02.

26th May 2012, 15:21	#7 (permalink)
Revs FN2 aka Paul Join Date: 14th April 2012 Location: Huddersfield Posts: 2,490 Thanks given: 680 Thanked 489 Times in 420 Posts iTrader: (7)	Sorry bud. Cheers for the link, I've not seen that thread. EDIT: Good review BTW Last edited by Revs FN2; 26th May 2012 at 15:34.

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26th May 2012, 14:23	#2 (permalink)
Guitaralmond COTM Feb 2012 Car: 2013 Audi A6 Saloon Join Date: 9th January 2008 Location: Stoke-On-Trent Posts: 3,911 Thanks given: 394 Thanked 287 Times in 257 Posts iTrader: (11)	Am I right in thinking its better as you're SC though. There's surely not a reason to have this over the Mugen kit for everyone NA, apart from price obviously! Wasn't the CPL kit developed on a SC car??

26th May 2012, 15:11	#6 (permalink)
ash_rage Supporter Thread starter Car: CTR GT Join Date: 14th January 2010 Location: London and Essex Posts: 6,436 Thanks given: 702 Thanked 557 Times in 466 Posts iTrader: (21)	Here you go buddy FN2 Air Intake Comparison

26th May 2012, 17:07	#9 (permalink)
Staffs Deltic Hey up duck! Car: Civic Type R GT Join Date: 7th December 2009 Location: Stoke-on-Trent Posts: 4,764 Thanks given: 685 Thanked 892 Times in 814 Posts iTrader: (9)	Nice write up. I love the CPL CAI. As far as noise is concerned, it is as good as the HKS RSK. I would not look at another intake!

26th May 2012, 17:41	#10 (permalink)
Noxia (\)o_O(/) Car: 2008 CTR, Silver Join Date: 16th October 2011 Location: Melksham Posts: 3,388 Thanks given: 549 Thanked 460 Times in 396 Posts iTrader: (9)	Great review. Lynn just text me to say mine is on it way

26th May 2012, 17:42	#11 (permalink)
Madcaddies Supporter Car: 2010 CTR CWE Join Date: 1st October 2011 Location: Denmark Posts: 771 Thanks given: 179 Thanked 65 Times in 62 Posts iTrader: (11)	I have the CPL cai on my NA setup. I totally agree with ASH. The sound, throttle response and the quality is immense I love it.

26th May 2012, 19:05	#16 (permalink)
gimble jonnie Car: 09 ctr milano red Join Date: 19th April 2012 Location: yorkshire Posts: 407 Thanks given: 145 Thanked 108 Times in 100 Posts iTrader: (8)	looks like cpl cai going to be my first engine mod.

26th May 2012, 19:49	#17 (permalink)
Swalesy Supporter Car: 2007 Milano CTR Join Date: 1st February 2009 Location: Merseyside Posts: 568 Thanks given: 263 Thanked 148 Times in 126 Posts iTrader: (2)	I bought a HKS RSK a couple of weeks ago; it was bought and fitted on the same Saturday, taken off on Tuesday, sold on Wednesday. Completely killed my throttle response in all conditions. Not sure what it would be like on a mapped car, but on my stock motor, I really didn't like it. After LSD and BBK, I think the CPL will be my choice when I start looking at power (with Flashpro of course ) Thanks for the review ash_rage

26th May 2012, 19:52	#18 (permalink)
Noxia (\)o_O(/) Car: 2008 CTR, Silver Join Date: 16th October 2011 Location: Melksham Posts: 3,388 Thanks given: 549 Thanked 460 Times in 396 Posts iTrader: (9)	Oh I bought the last one today but they'll have more in stock soon!

26th May 2012, 20:08	#19 (permalink)
rowbo COTM - July 2012 Car: 57 CTR GT , Milano Join Date: 2nd January 2011 Location: Leven , Scotland Posts: 7,429 Thanks given: 1,287 Thanked 1,050 Times in 961 Posts iTrader: (19)	does the cai require mapping ?

26th May 2012, 20:08	#20 (permalink)
Swalesy Supporter Car: 2007 Milano CTR Join Date: 1st February 2009 Location: Merseyside Posts: 568 Thanks given: 263 Thanked 148 Times in 126 Posts iTrader: (2)	Don't worry about it, I won't be buying for a while, LSD and BBK first