something to prevent hydrolocking??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
something to prevent hydrolocking??
Hi,
I just ordered a Vararam Snake Chamber intake but after reading all the horror story's about hydrolocking I'm really concerned about installing the intake (as it rains a lot here) But isn't there a temporarily (only when driving in rain) solution for it? For example, when it rains, can't I just put a sponge into the intake hole and when the sky clears up pull it out??
I just ordered a Vararam Snake Chamber intake but after reading all the horror story's about hydrolocking I'm really concerned about installing the intake (as it rains a lot here) But isn't there a temporarily (only when driving in rain) solution for it? For example, when it rains, can't I just put a sponge into the intake hole and when the sky clears up pull it out??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
Stay out of super deep puddles. It rains a lot here too and I haven't had a problem with mine. Of course I just jinxed myself now. Think of the vararam as a snorkel to the cool air. Would you put a sponge on top of your snorkel?
Jeff
Jeff
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
Likes: 130
From: Short Hills, NJ
Same here. But in my experience, any unavoidable puddle deep/wide enough to allow that much water to enter your Vararam (or any cold air intake for that matter) is going to be SO BAD that you'll likely have far bigger problems to deal with (hydoplaning, loss of vision, electical shorting etc.). Water splashing up from another car going through a deep puddle in front of you might be a concern as well but again the above could still apply.
If it's truly that bad, even the stock airbox can still take in enough water to hurt you.
If one's fear
is really that bad there are ONLY two choices....retain the stock air intake set up and/or don't ever drive when there's even a remote threat of rain/puddling. Umm,
yeah, ya kinda are.
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
In high performance driving schools we teach students too LOOK UP THE ROAD. too avoid any things on the road / track. same with puddles. LOOK UP THE ROAD and watch were your driving
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 347
From: Albuquerque NM
You're taking things to the ridiculous level, as usual. No matter how many emoticons you use you can't escape the fact that this design has quality and hydrolocking problems that other CAI designs minimize.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southampton NJ
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
ok, in this one thread you've read the "recommendations" incl. a possible fix by HOX. the choice is up to you. I do recall years ago AEM made a quik disconnect near the maf for some imports; can't imagine why others haven't followed this example.
maybe em/pm HO and ask what he's doing, specifically. good luck.
maybe em/pm HO and ask what he's doing, specifically. good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,819
Likes: 347
From: Albuquerque NM
Can't be done and you should know that. The fact is that this design is prone to the problem, while the factory and most other CAI designs have taken steps to minimize the problem. Namely, don't provide a direct path with no other escape route for water entering the intake, and providing a splash barrier to reroute the water away from the filter area.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
Can't be done and you should know that. The fact is that this design is prone to the problem, while the factory and most other CAI designs have taken steps to minimize the problem. Namely, don't provide a direct path with no other escape route for water entering the intake, and providing a splash barrier to reroute the water away from the filter area.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,246
Likes: 130
From: Short Hills, NJ
Can't be done and you should know that. The fact is that this design is prone to the problem, while the factory and most other CAI designs have taken steps to minimize the problem. Namely, don't provide a direct path with no other escape route for water entering the intake, and providing a splash barrier to reroute the water away from the filter area.
And the fact is they also don't provide a direct path of cold air either, ultimately costing one the maximum performance gains that they desire in the process.
Ya can't have it both ways.
Once again, I bought a Corvette to race/drive/corner quickly with, stop well and look good but it's a VERY poor design for hauling a family of five and/or off roading/rock climbing.
That still doesn't make it poorly designed vehicle by any means.
It's a series of gives & takes and there are ALWAYS some sacrifices/compromises in the name of speed.
Long tube headers/high flow cats/X-pipes are, going by the letter of the law, illegal in EVERY single state and can get your car impounded if the officer/spot check inspector is keen/well versed enough. Yet we still do them because we want that big power gain. Why is that (potentially costly) risk acceptable but this one isn't?
People need to prioritize and figure out exactly what 'performance to safety' ratio they're looking for.
EVERY air intake system (even the factory unit) is susceptible to permitting water in (yes, some more than others), if the puddle is big enough then NONE are truly immuned to hydrolocking.