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dynamolock • 8 days agoHonest results from my own testing on a stock 2.0 NA, same day, three pulls each: Stock airbox: 148 whp Short ram intake: 149 whp Cold air intake (with heat shield): 151 whp Within margin of error. The intake sound got louder, though, and the car feels faster because of it. That’s worth something to some people.
challengerfan • 8 days agoReplying to dynamolockThe noise is the real product. Nothing wrong with that, just be honest about what you’re paying for.
tinoc78 • 8 days agoNo one’s mentioned the downsides. My “cold” air intake pulled hot air from the engine bay and set off a MAF sensor code within a week. I also had to re-oil the filter, and over-oiling it fouled the sensor. I went back to stock.
apex_steve • 8 days agoReplying to tinoc78Over-oiling is the #1 way people kill their MAF. Dry filters avoid that problem.
tinoc78 • 8 days agoReplying to apex_steveFair, but “buy a different one” isn’t a great sales pitch.
liamdev • 8 days agoOne more thing: check your local emissions rules before buying. Some intakes need a compliance certification to be street-legal, and inspection can fail you for it.
hjones1989 • 8 days agoReplying to liamdevDidn’t know that. Mine needs to pass inspection in the spring.
apex_steve • 8 days agoPushing back a little. On my turbo hatch, the intake made a real difference, but only because I’d already done the downpipe and a tune. The stock intake tube was restricting flow at that point. Mods depend on each other. An intake on its own does nothing, but an intake as part of a full build can matter.
liamdev • 8 days agoReplying to apex_steveThis is the right answer. An intake is a supporting mod, not a main one.
challengerfan • 8 days agoShort answer: on a naturally aspirated engine that’s otherwise stock, you’ll get maybe 3–5 hp at the top of the rev range. That’s within normal dyno variation. The factory airbox is usually not what’s holding the engine back.
hjones1989 • 8 days agoReplying to challengerfanSo the +12 hp is made up?
challengerfan • 8 days agoReplying to hjones1989Not exactly made up. It’s usually measured on a hot day, back-to-back against a heat-soaked stock box, with a tune. Under those conditions, sure. In your driveway in October, no.
Okay, here’s what I’m taking away: On a stock NA engine, expect a few hp at most. It makes more sense later in a build (tune, exhaust, forced induction). Get a dry filter or be careful with oiling. Check emissions legality. You’re mostly paying for the sound. I’m putting the $280 toward tires instead. Thanks, everyone.
Yep, tires are the best mod nobody wants to hear about. Good call.