Done with break-in, want more power

[hifichip-si76]

I had read in several reputable car mags like Road and Track that the new Si has a great burst of power when it hits 6,000 RPM and all the way to redline.

After finally hitting over 600 miles for break-in, I've been letting it rev that high.

I am a little disappointed. The engine gets very loud, but it doesn't seem all that powerful.

Is it just me?

It's still the most powerful car I've had, as this is my first "sports car."

I need to figure out safe ways of boosting the power without damaging the car or voiding the warranty.

Any comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[AP1fun]

It's far from a sports car.

The best way to actually feel your cross over into VTEC is for an after market cold air intake system.

Locally I-VTEC is named Imaginary VTEC because it doesn't really put out much.

[TJ213]

so i-VTEC is worse than VTEC

or do you just lose the kick because its progressive

[AP1fun]

Originally Posted by TJ213

or do you just lose the kick because its progressive

bingo. If you ever hit VTEC in the S with the air box cover off you will have no doubt it came on.

[hifichip-si76]

Yes, I've been looking at CAI's. Do they void my warranty? I've looked at AEM, Injen, K&N and others. Injen says they have one that's "tuned." I don't really understand what it means.

Road and Track still says you can feel the floodgates open with a burst of power at 6000 rpm. I just don't really feel it. So, it's more gradual in i-Vtec?

[TJ213]

Maybe your "butt dyno" isn't properly tuned

I would contact the dealer to be sure, but unless they cause a problem the CAI should not void your warranty.

You might want to get AEM's thing that prevents hydrolock unless the CAI you choose has built in protection.

[TJ213]

I found this on the RSX forum, but considering the new Si is similar to an RSX-S it should help:

This by far is one of the best mods you can add to your car. An intake has one of the best HP:Money Ratios. It will allow your engine to breathe in more and cooler air, which will allow your engine to create more power through out the powerband.

there are 3 styles of intakes:
1. Closed element airbox
2. Short Ram Intake (SRI)
3. Cold Air Intake (CAI)

The stock airbox is a closed element intake. Basicly a Closed Element Intake is designed similar to the stock airbox, engineered to be less restrictive and taking in air from different places in the engine bay. Some popular Closed element intakes are Comptech Ice Box, Mugen, And Arc.

The Short Ram Intake is a Shortened Version of a cold air intake. You will see some gains but you can also see losses from intaking heat from the engine, mostly on hot days. The short ram is a good alternative though if your are worried about hydrolock. Some popular cold are intakes are AEM and Injen SRI, and AEM V2

The Cold Air Intake will see the most power gains. this intake runs lower to the ground away from the exhaust manifold, therefore it intakes cooler air coming in from the fog light grill area on the driver side. due to it being close to the ground, the possibility of hydrolocking exists. Everyone's opinions on hydrolocking are different, but ussualy it takes the filter to be completly submerged to hydrolock. Popular cold air intakes are Injen and AEM CAI.

Hydrolocking is when the intake breaths in water (ussualy only when completly submerged). the water enters the engine and enters the compression champer. due to the properties of a liquid not being easily compressible something has to give. the pistons and rods could possibly get bent and damage the engine.

As For which intake is best, currently Injen Cold Air Intake.
It has been dyno proven to produce 2-5 more peak horse power.
as a plus it is easier to install because it comes with a new waser bottle
with the AEM CAI, you mucst relocate the bottle to the other side.

Some of the placement information might not apply because it is a different car, but it looks like Injen CAI is the best system.

[hifichip-si76]

Thanks! This is very helpful.

[hifichip-si76]

Has anyone used a Fujita CAI in their car? My local tuner shop recommends it for my car. I son't know much about the brand. I see more about AEM, INjen, K&N...

[TJ213]

I've heard good things about the Fujita from the lotus forums, but thats it. I haven't heard anything bad though.