2Cool

Yep, went through this on my Lightning. Stock box with K&N had better throttle response and power than 12" K&N open cone, with no change to boost levels. Dyno proving is harder, as engine heatsoak on the dyno will exaggerate the bad effects of the open filter, but even in normal use it is a noticeable difference.

EvoJimbo

iTrader: (6)

I was just wondering by replacin the factory box with an open cone air intake, how vulnerable is it for rain water to get into your air intake?

EvoJimbo

iTrader: (6)

This will finalize my decision to either go with the HKS super racing sunction, the monster cf air box or the ARC aluminum intake box. ANy advice would be greatly appreciated!

Obsoleteasian

iTrader: (5)

Ya I was thinking similar. my thoughts are pressed towards the HKS but i am wondering if anyone would know the best price to purchase it, and i know someone has one already, on how they like it. Online pictures make it look cheap, anyone care to comment on quality?

purecoda

iTrader: (6)

I wouldn't worry about rain at all in an open filter, even if you had the Evo (and its hood vent).

What needs to be understood is that while moving, the engine bay has a lot of "cool" air flowing into it at all times. Other benefits of even a SRI is that you get MORE air into the engine. The theory here is that the tradeoff between air volume and air temperature (and consequently the amount of oxygen entering the engine) is in your favor.

As far as drop in filter go, I definitely think they are worth it:
1. Though expensive at first, replacing the filter will set you back at least $15 bucks each time, as opposed to biting the bullet and paying about $60 once for the filter and cleaning kit.
2. You can clean the thing whenever you want.
3. There is documented evidence that a K&N replacement flows more air than a OEM filter, and therefor you will have better mpg and hp (more noticable mpg than hp).

Coolguy949

iTrader: (10)

LOL purecoda, I was humming that Linkin Park song while I was reading your post then I saw your sig! HAHA I've had that song in my head for the last 2 days now!

jfh

iTrader: (38)

From Pruven Performance Evolution Modification Log:

"Also for all of you that have been wondering what mods were on our evo when it went 12.5 here it is. The EVO had our axel back exhaust, Manual Boost controller, fuel management, upgraded fuel reg., test pipe and our front mount intercooler. We were still running the factory air box. The factory unit is actually well designed and we removed it, it was only good for a few hp. So, we decided to keep it in. We were using pump gas for all the runs. We found that the factory intercooler is only good for about 280 wheel hp. The air that comes out of the factory turbo is real hot. So to get past that hp number a larger intercooler was needed."

As far as the K&N or similar cotton gauze/oil type drop in filters are concerned they flow significantly more air than paper elements. In order to do so, the air box must be capable of flowing the additional air. Pruven seems to think the stock box is sufficient. If you feel you need more you can always get one of the two Monster Carbon Intake Boxes as listed on Vivid Racing's site under intakes.

jfh

iTrader: (38)

Usually not an issue unless you are going to use a cold air setup that relocates the intake forward and very low to access the cold air. Rain water and puddles can then be an issue. Many manufacturers resorted to including by-pass valves mid-way along the inlet pipe which would allow air to be drawn from up higher if the cone element was doused with enough water to cause a problem. Haven't seen a clod air cone application for an EVO yet except the APS cold air intake for the EVO VII.

Lastly, significant testing has been done on many cars using free-flowing cone type intakes. The most significant perfotmance gains were always attributed to the cooler air intake temperatures achieved by placing the inlet outside the hot engine bay. Cone type intakes within the hot confines of the engine compartment typically yield minimal gains unless the stock airbox and plumbing is very restrictive. Get colder intake air for best gains!

Turboniam

No problem... I reserve the flaming for Trolls

Coolguy949

iTrader: (10)

Turboniam, here's what I noticed on VividRacing's site:

RMR Intake Cone:
The RMR intake system uses the basic theory of pure induction volume. We used a high flow filter with twice the needed filter area to insure our kit will be able to keep with any amount horse power. Do not be fooled by so called "cold air intakes." The turbo unit is the hottest part of the engine. As soon as the air travels through the turbo it heats up to a constant temperature anyway. But don't worry; the Evo has a very large and efficient intercooler that will cool all the air before entering the engine. There is no reason to risk damaging your turbo induction impellers with road derby. Keep your intake in the engine bay! The Filter & Bracket Kit Is available now!

Looks like I wasn't wrong afterall?

Turboniam

I wouldn't pit this exchange of information as a debate of who is right or wrong about the "cold air" induction.

It is a fact, the colder the air, the better/faster the car will run... this is not from me, but something that I thought everyone knew?

Here is another example of how cold air affects performance. I have a buddy of mine that has a GTP (supercharged pontiac) ... it has no aftercooler/intercooler... on a nice cold/cool day his 1/4 times will vary from his hot weather 1/4 runs up to a half second... that is a WORLD of difference. The only change on the vehicle is simply the air that is being ingested into the vehicle... him not having an intercooler exagerates this principle.

The bottom line is that cold air/fresh air is better/more dense than hot air and your car will run better with some type of induction that limits the filter picking up hot air from the engine bay.

That is why tests have shown on various cars that removing a stock airbox and putting a cone filter in its place in the engine bay that sucks up all that hot air instead of being fed cooler/fresher/ambient temp air actually loses hp over the stock protected in a box filter!

If I were to do any mod to the intake beyond swapping the stock panel filter for a panel filter K&N, it would be the monster sport intake that protects the filter from the engine air and sucks in clean/fresh/cooler/ambient air from the front of the car.

gtr

iTrader: (6)

Turboniam, did you catch that? We all know N/A cars or non intercooled car cooler is better. That is a good point. Perhaps cold air induction is good for .25hp which is not worth it.

Turboniam

Actually, colder air/cooler days show a MUCH bigger effect on forced induction cars than on N/A cars... why else would the "old" saying be "a cold day is turbo weather?" They don't call cold weather a N/A day?

Perhaps cold air induction vs underhood heat soak air filter induction is worth 10-15 hp???

Neither of us have dyno numbers, but every bit counts which is why I wouldn't leave my filter to suck up hot engine bay air.

Living in Texas makes it real easy to see the distinct difference between a hot day and a cold day performance... that is why I think it is important to seal off the airfilter from the engine bay to keep it from sucking up hotter air than ambient.

Imagine how hot the engine bay is when the ambient temp is 95 degrees...

gtr

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, you have a good point then again i live in michigan and we get 70 one day and 40 the other