Air Intakes

[hondapower]

Hi, I've been dying to install some aftermarket intakes into my car. Not only do they look good and sound great, but some boys say that the short ram intake will increase HP for my Si.

I was deciding between Simota and K&N and almost bought yesterday but I found some disturbing posts how intakes actually rob power and weaken the engine.

Some pertinent reviews:

http://www.shamelessreviews.com/2006...intake-review/
http://www.intakesandexhaust.com/aem/v2.html
http://www.autocarparts.com/parts/In...d-Air-Intakes/
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...p?p=1557517630

Do any of you really experience positive gains from your shortram intake? Or is Simota all a hype?

[TJ213]

SRIs tend to have heatsoak issues, here's why:

note how the intake is near the engine and the top of the hood, on hot days it gets really hot in there, and the engine pulls in hot air out of the end of the intake, hot air takes up more space, less air gets into the engine, less HP.


A CAI runs down near the bumper, pulling in cold air away from the engine, and will get more air from the road if it is right behind a air slot in the front of the car.

Short Ram Intake
Pros-
Cheaper
Easier to install
no hydrolock (explained later)
more power gains at low RPMs, because the air is going though a shorter tube

Cons-
Heatsoak
less power gains at high RPMs because the air won't be as cold

Cold Air Intake
Pros-
Colder air
More high end power
No Heatsoak

Cons-
Hydrolock
usually more expensive and harder to install
due to the pipe being longer there isn't as much of a low end power gain


Hydrolock - When the air filter in a CAI is completely submerged in water, the engine may suck in water. This is bad because water does not compress and can result in bent piston rods and other bad things

The AEM air bypass valve should eliminate hydrolock


The use of a CAI will also give you more of a VTEC feel, by that I mean that you feel more of a difference between low RPM power and high RPM power.


For the most power the AEMv2 with a AEM air bypass valve would probally work best. (thats assuming the v2 is a CAI)

[TJ213]

okay, I double posted so that that post ends eventually

If you post your car I can do some research as to what intake might work best

[kitana]

cold air intakes are for more serious tuners. provides best of what an air intake system can offer, but if you're into just a bit of HP increase for an occasional race here and there, then a ram intake will suit your need

[AP1fun]

Originally Posted by kitana

cold air intakes are for more serious tuners. provides best of what an air intake system can offer, but if you're into just a bit of HP increase for an occasional race here and there, then a ram intake will suit your need

Where do you get this information. TJ posted a well thought out, visually pleasing answer and you post this with no reason or facts.

IMO a real cold air is better because (of stated) heat soak. It also frees up your engine bay and makes it look somewhat better. Plus the colder the air the better it burns in the cumbustion chamber saving you dollars are the pump.


^ see, you need to have reasons. 1. No heat soak 2. Engine bay look 3. better MPG

[TJ213]

The only bad thing about the CAI is hydrolock, which often only happens when going WOT in high water

[AP1fun]

Doesn't even have to be at WOT. Hydrolock is a rare occurance that I would pretty much rule it out. And a by pass valve will reduce it even further.

[TJ213]

I've heard that the bypass valve is a pain to install, and reduces air flow, I would just go CAI and try not to drive into a lake

[AP1fun]

If you take the car out of gear a little bit before a big puddle or push and hold the clutch in (bad for the pressure plate) and run around idle you won't be creating enough vacuum to suck water up that far.

[TJ213]

wait, its bad to hold the clutch in? What about coasting to a top sign?