I currently have the PFS stock mount intercooler, and intake box in the car. I have a set of Apex'i intakes sitting on a shelf in the garage. I have everything apart to clean up the filters in the PFS box.

While I have it apart, I was thinking of making a change. Does anyone have any thoughts on which intake to use?

Option 1: Clean up the PFS intakes and put them back in, not screwing with something that's already working.

Option 2: Cap the hole on the intercooler duct, and run the Apex'i intakes instead.


Is anyone running a similar setup right now, and which will be 'better'? Preferably opinion backed up by data, like intake temps, etc.

Thanks in advance,

Matt

 

I easily recommend staying with the PFS intake box.

When I installed the Apex'i intakes (this was a very long time ago), I noticed nothing except that I was out $200 and the time spent installing them. They use the stock rubber ribbed intake pipes, which offer the same intake turbulence as stock, but with the Apex'i intakes, you'd be feeding the engine hot air instead of cold.

Because of their design, the Apex'i filters reduce intake turbulence at the filter, directing the intake air into the charge tube, so they'd be good if you were to use them in you own custom cold air box. However, in their proposed mounting locations, they draw in warm air, so you'd be doing more harm than good.

I don't have computer data, just my own experience with them installed and the knowledge that you want to keep things cold. By comparison, the GReddy Airinx generated a performance increase, but that was mainly due to the the mandrel-bent intake pipes that came with the package. So if you have the PFS setup, I'd stick with that.

 

Never ran the Apex'i intakes. But I have the PFS intake/IC. FWIW, I modified the bottom of the box to source cold air from below. I did leave the duct air source, but screened it.
The closest thing to data I have is that after I did this I had to re-adjust my MBC because it started to spike just a little.

 

From personal experience I've found the Apex'i intakes to be... underwhelming. I also think it's interesting that the filters in the Mazda TSB warning about aftermarket intakes look a lot like the Apex'i intakes.

 

The Apexi intakes aren't all that. They're a pain to install and don't work any better than other aftermarket intakes.

They're also REALLY bulky. They can only fit well with a stock sized intercooler.

The Apexi and old school HKS "poison mushroom" intakes have to be my 2 least favorites.

Dale

 

I use the stock box with the Adam C mod kit. best of all worlds and retains a stock look while adding cool air and increasing HP.

Jeff

 

I would stay with the PFS intake. That is what I have. At least it draws cool air from the IC intake on the front of the car.

 

I'd stick with the PFS airbox but cap off the IC duct & mod it to take air from b/t the radiator and frame rail (similar to the Adam stock air box mod).

Jack

 

Honestly, if i could go back in time to when I was 16 and slap myself I would. If I had the resources to fab my own box that would work with my IC setup, that would be the option I would choose today.. Buuut I'm stuck with my decision of Apex'i intakes.

I'm sure after reading everything above me you won't make the same mistake.

 

The stock airbox won't fit with a PFS IC.

 

If you have the pfs intercooler I'd get the pfs air box. They work well together. I am not a big fan of open element intakes.