What are the benefits of Cold Air Intakes for our NSX's?
Thanks.
Ian
Thanks.
Ian
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Cold Air Intakes ...
- Thread starter Ian D
- Start date
Horsepower and Sound. I recently installed the Comptech CF air scoop and lower air box. Now I don't have a dyno to show you comparisons, so you'll just have to take my word for it, that you'll get a subtle gain in HP. As for sound, I now have a predominate air-sucking sound when I blip the throttle. When I step on it, I get this really cool baratone (bassy) sound that sometimes ratles my ECU, hehe.
Bottom line, I'm very satisfied with my CAI.
Hope that helps,
Chris
Bottom line, I'm very satisfied with my CAI.
Hope that helps,
Chris
Thanks Chris.
A great response to my question.
Ian
A great response to my question.
Ian
You can get the sound with just a change to a foam oem style filter. (I hear the K&N oem style also does it)
Benefits will vary as there are different CAI designs. There is the "scoop", then the open filter that resides INSIDE the engine bay, and there is the open filter that resides OUTSIDE the engine where the snorkel once was.
I won't get into anymore detail as I might bring up the wrong points. I just know that the open filter inside the bay just sucks in hot engine air, so whats the point?
Personally, I just run the uni foam filter (oem style) in oem box with snorkel removed. I get the sound and it's pretty darn cool. Power wise or economy...... couldn't tell you for sure. All I know is that my aftermarket exhaust and intake actually decreased MY fuel economy as it makes me want to WOT often to get that sound going.
Benefits will vary as there are different CAI designs. There is the "scoop", then the open filter that resides INSIDE the engine bay, and there is the open filter that resides OUTSIDE the engine where the snorkel once was.
I won't get into anymore detail as I might bring up the wrong points. I just know that the open filter inside the bay just sucks in hot engine air, so whats the point?
Personally, I just run the uni foam filter (oem style) in oem box with snorkel removed. I get the sound and it's pretty darn cool. Power wise or economy...... couldn't tell you for sure. All I know is that my aftermarket exhaust and intake actually decreased MY fuel economy as it makes me want to WOT often to get that sound going.
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Or simply remove the resonator. It will be louder.
Yes, and yes. I've done both.
Horsepower gains? Just about every empirical test on this forum have shown no HP gains from intake modifications.
What everyone else said.
You may get a better sound but all evidence points to the stock airbox being the best intake available.
You may get a different result if your car is FI as mentioned but on stock-powered NSXs the stock airbox is the way to go. Same goes with throttle body and intake manifold port mods.
The authority on the forum seems to be split on the power gains issue. Many have said that the OEM airbox flows more than enough air for a stock engine, so you're not likely to pick up any power.
Others, like member 96cxt, have dynos that seem to suggest some small gains (2-5whp) are possible with aftermarket CAI systems. But, that car also had headers and exhaust.
The bottom line is that you either will have no power gain, or minimal ones at best with a CAI. In my view, the mod is really more cosmetic in that it gives you a nice induction growl.
Others, like member 96cxt, have dynos that seem to suggest some small gains (2-5whp) are possible with aftermarket CAI systems. But, that car also had headers and exhaust.
The bottom line is that you either will have no power gain, or minimal ones at best with a CAI. In my view, the mod is really more cosmetic in that it gives you a nice induction growl.
I don't think there's any real split about power gains with these products in the community. There are always people that will ignore the reality and evidence but the fact is that there is so little evidence for any gains hp using an AM intake or AIS it's really foolish for anyone to state that one of those products produces results.
The only argument I ever get when someone is defending these devices is that "I can't show a large body of evidence that they don't work"...?? And then they cling to one dyno result from one NSX on one day done by the manufacturer of the product to show that it works.
People will continue to argue, ostensibly defending an ill-advised purchase of these products and trying to deny the egg on their face when someone tells them their $350 intake does squat for hp gains. But the facts are that few dynos exist that show gains for these products and most are well within the normal margin of error for any dyno. And several independent head-to-head comparison tests have shown the stock airbox either outperforming or doing no worse than any of the most popular AM intakes.
Forced Induction (supercharged, turbocharged) :smile:
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doh !!!
hey, give me a break, I'm Australian! We speak different acronyms down here :smile:
and be careful, from my perspective you guys are all hanging upside down, so if I jump up and down hard enuf .... you'll all fall off :biggrin:
he didn't just say that did he
hey, give me a break, I'm Australian! We speak different acronyms down here :smile:
and be careful, from my perspective you guys are all hanging upside down, so if I jump up and down hard enuf .... you'll all fall off :biggrin:
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The question is on the benefits of Cold Air Intakes.
My understanding of fuel system is as follows:-
Fuel and air ratio is by mass/weight not by volume, hence the colder the air the denser the air. More air means more fuel can be added keeping the same air/fuel ratio. More fuel means more power.
Engine loses power at higher altitudes (air is less dense) that is why super charged/turbo charged engines are commonly used on Aircraft engines.
Compressing air generates heat that is why some super charged/ turbo charged engines have water injection to cool down the temperate.
So in theory if you can cool down the intake air of an engine, you should gain more power.
My understanding of fuel system is as follows:-
Fuel and air ratio is by mass/weight not by volume, hence the colder the air the denser the air. More air means more fuel can be added keeping the same air/fuel ratio. More fuel means more power.
Engine loses power at higher altitudes (air is less dense) that is why super charged/turbo charged engines are commonly used on Aircraft engines.
Compressing air generates heat that is why some super charged/ turbo charged engines have water injection to cool down the temperate.
So in theory if you can cool down the intake air of an engine, you should gain more power.
NA engines - Pulls air. Honda VTEC is the most efficient engine in the world. I doubt Honda will go out of their way by designing a poor intake filter system. It is the exhaust part of the engine that is restricted for the purpose of reducing noise. That's an easy fix.
I have probably the best after market AIS, and it did nothing for HP gain.
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Just want to bring up an issue. Dyno testing is done with the engine in a car static or on a test stand, still static. With a Ram Air intake facing forward at speed, I would not be surprised if the engine would produce more power.
Regardless of hp gains, the sound and look of an aftermarket intake is significantly improvement oever eom.:biggrin:
ps: add a polished or blacked out coolant tank while at it.
ps: add a polished or blacked out coolant tank while at it.
just bustin' your chops my friend:wink:
I actually agree with you NSXGMS. The NSX intake design provides more than enough air for stock NA operation. The only way you're going to need more CFM is with a displacement increase and/or FI. I was simply pointing out that dynos do exist that show small increases. But, as you correctly observed, the values are within the margin of error for the dyno. Personally, I treat the intake mod for the NSX as an accoustic upgrade. Any performance benefit will be little or nil in my opinion.
So, to the OP, an intake will make your NSX sound better, but probably not go any faster. :smile:
So, to the OP, an intake will make your NSX sound better, but probably not go any faster. :smile:
I don't think there's any real split about power gains with these products in the community. There are always people that will ignore the reality and evidence but the fact is that there is so little evidence for any gains hp using an AM intake or AIS it's really foolish for anyone to state that one of those products produces results.
The only argument I ever get when someone is defending these devices is that "I can't show a large body of evidence that they don't work"...?? And then they cling to one dyno result from one NSX on one day done by the manufacturer of the product to show that it works.
People will continue to argue, ostensibly defending an ill-advised purchase of these products and trying to deny the egg on their face when someone tells them their $350 intake does squat for hp gains. But the facts are that few dynos exist that show gains for these products and most are well within the normal margin of error for any dyno. And several independent head-to-head comparison tests have shown the stock airbox either outperforming or doing no worse than any of the most popular AM intakes.
Ram Air is B.S. unless we're talking about some insane wind speed. Something I doubt you get in a car. With duct work that bends and make the air bounce off of the walls of the intake to direct it to the filter.
Exactly. I went with the downforce intake and just a foam uni-filter in the stock airbox. The sound difference was tremendous. And I'm sure it runs a little better. Nothing that is going to net you numbers on a dyno... but I think common sense will tell you if you change from some crappy, narrow snorkel tube to an open scoop that uses the entire area of the intake duct... it's gotta be a little easier on your car right? Not because of Ram Air. But because you aren't choking the car off.
<a href="http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/PhiAlpha44/?action=view¤t=snorkel-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/PhiAlpha44/snorkel-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/PhiAlpha44/?action=view¤t=stock_intake_fender_removed.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/PhiAlpha44/stock_intake_fender_removed.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/PhiAlpha44/?action=view¤t=ais_intake_fender_removed.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/PhiAlpha44/ais_intake_fender_removed.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I mean without a dyno and computers and air flow simulations.............
You've gotta think the car in the bottom pic will breath easier than the top.
Not to hijack this thread but don't forget to add the "Wannabe FI" CYCLONE!!! :biggrin:
I love this statement: "Dyno testing shows 4-13 added horsepower as well!
The swirling effect helps to atomize the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber which, when exposed to the ignition, results in a more complete and efficient burning of the fuel. The result ·
Improved Fuel Economy · Improved Acceleration · Improved Power · Reduced pollutants ·
AIS + CYCLONE = BAM! Instant "Forced Induction" mental effect
I love this statement: "Dyno testing shows 4-13 added horsepower as well!
The swirling effect helps to atomize the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber which, when exposed to the ignition, results in a more complete and efficient burning of the fuel. The result ·
Improved Fuel Economy · Improved Acceleration · Improved Power · Reduced pollutants ·
AIS + CYCLONE = BAM! Instant "Forced Induction" mental effect
For the record - Ram Air only starts to take a effect above 180 mph below that air compressability is NOT a factor. Cold air, that's another matter.
