JSpec

This question is based mostly from the RE Amemiya Intake, are the cold air boxes cost effective? It seems this topic has been at a standstill for quite some time, but the question still stands. For me specifically, I'm keeping the stock turbos, installing either the M2 Medium or Large SMIC, downpipe, cat back, and PFC. I've been trying to decide between the Blitz SUS and the APEXi Power Intake. I've been pointed toward the Pettit (being it's the same as the M2 minus the carbon fiber) but I questions it's effectiveness for it's cost. Does anyone have any horror stories about the Blitz or Apexi, or just general suggestions based on my particular setup?

Pettit TKT Cold Air Induction


M2 Cold AIr box


APEXi Power Intake


RE Amemiya


Blitz SUS

maxcooper

I saw some testing once that found the Pettit was not that effective as a cold air intake, but I still have no doubt that it is a whole lot better than the "open" intakes like the Blitz or A'PEXi. Cold intake air is very important for performance and engine (and air pump!) longevity. Even with a big IC, it means less work for the turbo, so I recommend the M2 or even the Pettit intake over the open ones.

I think Pettit tried to cover the back of their intake to make it get "cooler" air, but they found it made the turbos run hotter or something like that, so perhaps the perfect solution is not available as a kit.

Which brings us to another option - you can build your own box. A few tests have pointed to the A'PEXi filters being the best, so I am building my own cold air box for one of those filters (for a single turbo).

Bottom line, if I wanted a kit to run with the stock turbos, the M2 is at the top of my list. If I wanted to do my own setup, I'd get filters from APEX'i, some sheet aluminum, and some hose and maybe some aluminzed fiberglass insulation from http://www.mcmaster.com/ and make my own. Oh wait, that is what I am doing. ;-)

JSpec

Does the M2 contain 3 K&N filters as with the Pettit? Seems to look a bit smaller.. I've been unsure as to whether the open intakes provide a larger amount of air.. Also does the M2 Large SMIC require the battery to be relocated, or will the NTech mini battery fit to its right?

widebody2

I actually have the pettit and I was really interested in making it a real cold air intake. I've actually put a good amount of thought and work into this. When I first put it in I would drive the car then quickly run up, pop the hood and feel the air in the area the filters were. Turns out it wasn't a very good cold air intake-more like a really hot air intake. I did a couple of different things to see what I could do to help. This is what I have going right now, and I am very happy with it: I made my own cold air box out of aluminum sheet metal, totally surrounding the 3 filters. I took the insulation off the underside of the hood and used that to insulate the box. I then ran a tube from the cold box out that hole directly next to the head light and ran it to the side vent in the front bumper. At the end of the tube I have an end part of a shop vac hose and connected it to the front bumper. If you can't picture it-it kinda looks like the thing that directs the air flow into the stock ic. Fitting the tube past the head light was the hardest part. I had to stick the tube in my oven and heat it up so I could permanently flatten it out a little. That was the only way it was fitting... now I have a ram air sorta cold air intake going. It actually was kind of a lot of work but I had fun.

djantlive

There's isn't much performance difference btwn the two kinds, maybe 3-5 HP at the most. Apexi and Blitz offer the most bang for the buck. However, I would be worried about the hot air and the additional load on the IC (if your IC is stock) in the long run. The additional 10-15 HP isn't worth a build in the long run.

I am keeping mine stock right now bc I am have't seen a good intake that's worth it. If I change the intake, it better have ram air effect. Even the M2 doesn't have a tube or duct that draws cold air from the nose. Cold air from the underside of the airbox just doesn't make it for me. Hell, I can just cut a big hole if that's how M2 makes the additional 10-15 HP. (This is what some people have done, actually). Also, cold air intake filters are all cramped inside the tight box which makes me wonder how good the air flow can be.

The C5 K&N kit as a comparison is much more effective bc it draws cold air from the nose. I saw all C5-R on the race track having these. I wish someone can make a good intake that takes air from the nose openings.

BTW, does anyone know if the 99' spec intake is different? If so, how? Any picts?

Rotary93

Look at the For Sale section, Bacon has a CWC cold air intake for sale...He is a trust worthy guy...Dealt with him before...

Ryde _Or_Die

Are the GReddy intakes not that good? They seem alot bigger and able to take air in easier, from what I have seen. I was thinkin of runnin a pvc pipe from under in the front of mine up to the cone intake (usin some sort of screen to keep debris from messin up the cone) and then makin a cold air box. Would doin that make you run too lean? I wouldn't want to mess the engine up when I'm only tryin to help it, ya know. Is that a good idea? Thanks.

Chris

Taz

iTrader: (1)

Ryde _Or_? ,
Unless you're thinking of something drastic, there aren't big enough holes to direct outside air to the air filter on the FD. Anyway these people have hoses, which is a better alternative to the PVC pipe. www.mcmaster.com/ click on "Fabric Duct Hose" and go to page 156. It's the same "special hose" race shops sell to direct air to the brakes.

Ryde _Or_Die

I'm talkin about on my FC, but I want to use a PVC pipe from the front spoiler & will have to cut a lil bit to get it to the intake. I am thinkin of like a 2" pipe. Would that give noticeable gains?

Taz

iTrader: (1)

Sorry I took so long to reply. Anyway, if the intake in your FC is very confined, yes any fresh cool air is a plus. I took my intake pipe from my single turbo to where my right headlight was. I didn't notice too much of a difference compared to running with no filter.

Ryde _Or_Die

I thinkin a cold air box with a pipe runnin fresh cold air to it. Hopefully will help.

95R2-89TII Ground Zero

I have read a few articles on the intakes that are available for both the second and the third generation rx7's. I realize that most of you know that the colder the air going in the intake and into the combustion chamber, the greater the combustion. This is directly related to the amount of atoms of oxygen in every molecule packed in the cold air. The colder the air, the more stagnent, the more packed and filled with oxygen atoms the air has become. But I know that is simple and most of you probably already know. But like I said before....I read a few articles and found that the M2 is 7 degrees colder under extensive driving conditions than the Pettit. But I have also heard that because of the enclosure that surounds the M2, it is a bit more restrictive than Pettits. I have since then applied the Pettit and have no complaints. The decision is obviously up to the owner of the vehicle, but I guess anything is better that the stock air box.

solo1seven

hey,

i'm thinking about fabricating an air intake similar to the pettit and running a vented headlight cover.
does anyone have any extensive pics of the pettit and filter part#'s/sizes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Andrew Wojteczko

Nathan Kwok

I think all of the intakes are a compromise between temperature and flow. The "coldest" is actually the stock intake, but it the most restrictive. I don't have the source of that info offhand, but the stock intake is the only one that sources cold air from the nose, so it makes sense. I'm from the school of thought of having everything as cold as possible, i'd personally rather sacrifice flow for cooler air, but the M2 medium or large won't work with the stock intake and the M2 intake seems to take second place for "coldness". Also, the M2 ICs won't work with the Blitz SUS (according to the picture at least, because that intake is too wide), so might as well rule that one out. Since you're running a cat, be aware that a hot intake will decrease airpump life, and maybe slightly decrease turbo life, but as long as the IC is good it won't effect engine life.