I'm not dreaming this stuff up... it's in the service manual - see Air Intake section and IATS and MAF sections.

Does the Xfire N/A use a speed density system ? ( it looks like it since it uses a MAF and a MAP).

I don't claim to understand the details of the entire closed SD system but I do know that increasing air flow ( never mind the temperature of that air for a minute) will cause the AITS to alter it's resistance ( fuel calculation changes) and the MAF will cause the PCM to readjust the voltage/current to the heating resistor in the MAF/AITS assembly to maintain the 160 degree differrence between the heater resistor and the sensor resistor. The MAP ( Manifold Air Pressure) sensor would also notice the difference in air flow by virtue of a pressure increase in the intake manifold and adjust according to the fuel map it has in memory. The O2 sensor would also react to an increase in flow ( increased oxygen) by also seeking to cause an altereration of the fuel air mixture ( likely leaning up). Another component of the system that factors intop the equation is the Accelerator Pedal Sensor( of Sprint Booster fame),

Is it possible that , as opposed to actually responding to a difference in air temperature, Stock box vs. CAI, the system ends up accessing a different point in the fuel mapping firmware?

As to why the member experienced a reduction in horsepower with an insulated CAI... I couldn't tell you except to wonder if the "loss" ( assuming there actually was one ) was experienced over the entire power band.

I thought I had read promises to post dyno info somewhere for N/A Xfires with CAI... if so, could someone point me to them? It would be interesting to see if supposed HP increase is experienced across the whole range. ( I'm guessing it's not and is at lower RPMs , until the PCM/ECU catches up... just a guess).

Modge