AIR INTAKE SYSTEM

[daghstdrummer]

I have a A3 Jetta GLs and when i changed my air filter i took off the air box cover completly and i noticed that there is a little flap at the bottom the air box.. i was wondering what does that do if anything and will my car be affected if a put in a short ram or cold air intake... PLEASE HELP!!!

[soco42063]

It's the cold start assist. Takes air from around your headers so it warms up quicker. Starts and runs just fine without it. Some kits like Injen re-use the stock lower airbox piece so you may still have that. Or you can purchase a metal replacement after market. I was running just a cone filter for a while, no problems.

[Mr_Diesel]

I'd leave it in tact to that it can be used in the winter, but take that bitch off in the summer.

[daghstdrummer]

thanx. i'm prob just gonna run a cone filter for now and later go to a full cold air intake

[Gad]

If you have the splash guards under your left and right front end I wouldn't worry about winter or rain unless you do serious 4x4 or like driving through flooded areas. Or run your filter down into the finderwell like some do (no idea why) This is a common wives tale about air intakes on cars. You would have to splash a huge mud puddle and even then if might not to any harm. Almost all of the off road racers use CAI's of some type.

Your best bet is to get one that is washable and has a heat shield like Eurosport or Nuespeed. I bought a filter cheap off Ebay and bought the heatshield online for about $50. .....$65 total for my system and it's been running strong for a couple of years now.