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The Origins of The Carbonio System
At the time that we initiated the research and development activities which led to the development of the Carbonio Cold Air Intake (CAI) system we were not concerned with developing a product to put to market. Our original intent was to better understand engine intake properties, and to apply this data towards our race car development efforts.
Design and Development
Traditional Dyno Testing
There is much conflicting information available regarding the relative merits of dyno testing Cold Air Intake systems (CAI's) as a means of assessing their true performance.
Usually, attempts are made to quantify the performance of an intake system by testing a stationary vehicle on a dyno. The results of this testing can be misleading, as there is no forward motion of the vehicle to accurately replicate the airflow around the intake which exists under real driving conditions. While placing fans ahead of the intake does aid in remedying this problem it has, however, two primary shortcomings. Firstly, fans will provide a steady flow of air, whereas dyno testing takes place with an accelerating engine (therefore the speed of the fan should increase proportionally to simulate an accelerating car). Secondly, although creating high wind speeds in a wind tunnel is straightforward, generating the types of speeds required for accurate testing, from a fan placed in front of the vehicle, is extremely difficult.
As an example of the skewed results which traditional dyno testing can produce, a stock airbox will often fare very well compared to a CAI in a dyno test because the shortcomings of the stock setup only become evident as air flow over the filter increases. Because of the limitations of traditional dyno testing, not only are the advantages of a CAI over the stock set up often understated, but the data which is generated is also incomplete, resulting in a CAI system which is under designed and does not perform to its full potential.
A Superior Testing Procedure
The best way to develop a CAI is to begin with real-world testing. By running sensors which measure air temperature and velocity in the induction tract of a moving car, and by recording the results using on-board data acquisition, it is possible to accurately model the characteristics of intake flow. Repeating this procedure with several stock and modified intake systems, and combining this with data generated by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, a reliable baseline can be established against which dyno results can be compared.
In order to properly test intakes on the dyno, a system which allows for the simulation of higher wind speeds, and which varies airspeed in relation to engine speed and gearing, must be utilized. A compressed air system (not pure oxygen but regular air), along with special nozzles are employed to release a curtain of air over the area of the vehicle where the intake is located. Compressed gas cools as it escapes so it is important to take this into account as the test is performed. This modified dyno testing procedure, in conjunction with preliminary real-world testing, generates superior results, and forms the basis of a rigorous design and development process which is unmatched in the industry.
Carbonio cold air intakes
Each System Features
- Increases horsepower and torque
- Improves throttle response
- Decreases turbo 'lag'
- Flattens torque curve (engine is less 'peaky')
- Improves fuel economy
- Enhances engine's volumetric efficiency
- Enhances sound of turbo diverter valve
- Works with all aftermarket diverter, dump, or blowoff valves
- Installs in about an hour
- Fits both manual and automatic vehicles
- Unique Thermal Barrier composite construction ensures low inlet temperatures
Kit Includes:
- Aerospace grade carbon fibre main intake section with show quality finish
- Complete photographic instructions
- Ram air design washable cotton gauze filter (of K&N type construction)
- Air pump breather filter
- All necessary hardware included
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