Here's a question I've haven't seen posted on the countless CAI threads, so hopefully it isn't an issue, but I'll ask anyway. Has anyone had a problem with water getting into the exposed filter? The reason I ask is that it would seem to me that if you get caught in a heavy downpour while driving, it looks like water could enter under the side edge of the hood and be sucked straight in to the filter since it is out in the open and fairly close to the side of the hood. I'm getting very close to ordering from Doug, probably the C&L w/xcal2, but just trying to cover all the bases first......

 

well that is a pretty good question. I always thought the oil that is used to coat the filter helps prevent water from penetrating it. Then again, I am sure it can get in there eventually.

 

My air filter is down under the bumper, and I'm not concerned with water getting in. I definitely wouldn't worry about one under the hood.

 

well don, you should be concered if you plan on driving through deep puddles haha. then me and you have a problem lol

 

I do have water sitting ontop of the airbox after washing... (and I have the MRT..so the opening is pretty wide)

Never had any problems

If you are really concerned I guess you could cover it in a plastic bag
Ok no don't do that...really...

 

It would have to be way over a foot deep... haha

 

not counting splash

 

That won't bother anything.

 

shared your concerns. a week after I bought my JLTII I drove 300 miles through a torrential downpour that barely let up. Standing water all over the road (NOT fun with wide tires), rain whipping the car in every direction. Never had a problem. Popped the hood after the trip and there were a few small water stains on the intake pipe but that was it. Unless you plan on cutting a hole in your hood, you'll be fine.

 

If you read any of the import web sites most everyone runs the cold air intakes, which run down under the bumper, as opposed to the short ram which 99% of us on this forum run. AEM makes a bypas valve to prevent hydrolock, or sucking water into the intake. Not sure if they have an aplication for the new Mustang though, since other than supercharged cars I have yet to see an actual cold air intake for this car. Even those running the actual cold air have rarely reported problems with water but it does happen. With the short ram type you'de have to be in 2 1/2 foot of standing water or so for it to reach the filter. Or you would have to nail a pretty deep puddle to splash enough water up into your intake to cause a problem.

In short, you should not have a problem at all running a short ram, if you go for a cold air that runs under your bumper, I'd look into getting the bypass valve.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Having some roadways a little bit flooded during a rainy day and responding to emergency/fire calls and driving through them with emergency lights, Ive had not problems with my K&N Intake not sucking up any water.

 

I did it 'cause I like the look, but if water ingestion is a concern, then you can always install a Drycharger.

 

I have a similar question that relates to the RKSport California Dream hood.

I have a K&N CAI (not that the brand really matters, as most of them have the filter located in generally the same place), and the ducting in the RKSport would bring it right down over the intake filter. I've seen a good number of those hoods installed on these boards, and was wondering if there is more of a concern over water ingestion in that case.

If you are driving in a bunch of rain, will enough water get in there and run through the duct to fall onto the filter to be a problem?