DIY intake and IAT testing

[Dodeboost]

I put this intake together using a AEM 2036DK dry filter with a filter wears pre filter, spectre 3” aluminum tube, and a mount with some 1/8 aluminum bar stock. It definitely feels more responsive, and the turbo sounds are great. However, the concern with something like this is that you’re sucking hot engine bay air, so I decided to take some temps comparing it to the stock box. I went on the same 14 mile drive 2 times, with a temp probe on the filter itself(shoved between the pre filter and filter element) as well as in the bottom of the stock air box. The drive consisted of a twisting windy road with lots of uphill and downhill without stopping, followed by about 3 miles of frequent stop lights. Both trips I stopped and idled in my driveway for 3 minutes at the end of the trip. Ambient temp was 60F for both tests.



New intake:

Cruising 30-50mph IAT hovered around 10-20 above ambient. At stop lights shot up to 30-35 above ambient within about a minute, but recovered quickly once moving again. Idling for 3 minutes saw temps at 60 degrees above ambient.



Stock box:

Cruising at 30-50mph IAT was around 8-15 above ambient. At stop lights rose to about 20 over ambient, although temps rose more slowly. Temps were slower to recover once moving again. Idling for 3 minutes saw temps at 40 degrees above ambient.



This is pretty much what I expected, although I thought the stock box would be a little better since it’s a true cold air intake. The stock box was definitely more consistent, and had lower temps overall. Still not sure if I’m going to leave my intake on, I imagine it will be pretty bad in the summer when it’s 90+ here. I may swap the straight tube for a 45 to get it further away from the engine and possibly try to make a heat shield. The only thing that worries me is stop and go traffic will see pretty high intake temps.

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[Deerslayer1980]

Get a plastic 45-degree piece made by spectre and get that filter farther out and towards the fender. IATs will be better than the stock box. I've tried about every setup, and this ended up the best. I'll take a pic after work.

 

[Jwhisl]

When I made my intake I used a cheap $30 kit from Amazon that gave me the 45* tube and a mount. The filter that came with the kit choked my engine and it was a noticeable power loss. I changed out the filter to a k&n and never looked back. I also left the elbow piece from the factory air box to deliver colder air to the filter .

 

[Dodeboost]

@Deerslayer1980 Sounds good. Any reason for plastic over aluminum? Does it transfer less heat? I’ll definitely switch this out for a 45

 

[Dodeboost]

When I made my intake I used a cheap $30 kit from Amazon that gave me the 45* tube and a mount. The filter that came with the kit choked my engine and it was a noticeable power loss. I changed out the filter to a k&n and never looked back. I also left the elbow piece from the factory air box to deliver colder air to the filter .

The elbow wouldn’t fit but once I get the 45 on there it should. Thanks

 

[Deerslayer1980]

@Deerslayer1980 Sounds good. Any reason for plastic over aluminum? Does it transfer less heat? I’ll definitely switch this out for a 45

I could only find plastic at the time. Just add a 45 to the existing pipe you have and you'll be good.
Universal Tube Elbow (spectreperformance.com)

Aluminum Tubes | Spectre (spectreperformance.com)

 

[Automan21]

I put this intake together using a AEM 2036DK dry filter with a filter wears pre filter, spectre 3” aluminum tube, and a mount with some 1/8 aluminum bar stock. It definitely feels more responsive, and the turbo sounds are great. However, the concern with something like this is that you’re sucking hot engine bay air, so I decided to take some temps comparing it to the stock box. I went on the same 14 mile drive 2 times, with a temp probe on the filter itself(shoved between the pre filter and filter element) as well as in the bottom of the stock air box. The drive consisted of a twisting windy road with lots of uphill and downhill without stopping, followed by about 3 miles of frequent stop lights. Both trips I stopped and idled in my driveway for 3 minutes at the end of the trip. Ambient temp was 60F for both tests.



New intake:

Cruising 30-50mph IAT hovered around 10-20 above ambient. At stop lights shot up to 30-35 above ambient within about a minute, but recovered quickly once moving again. Idling for 3 minutes saw temps at 60 degrees above ambient.



Stock box:

Cruising at 30-50mph IAT was around 8-15 above ambient. At stop lights rose to about 20 over ambient, although temps rose more slowly. Temps were slower to recover once moving again. Idling for 3 minutes saw temps at 40 degrees above ambient.



This is pretty much what I expected, although I thought the stock box would be a little better since it’s a true cold air intake. The stock box was definitely more consistent, and had lower temps overall. Still not sure if I’m going to leave my intake on, I imagine it will be pretty bad in the summer when it’s 90+ here. I may swap the straight tube for a 45 to get it further away from the engine and possibly try to make a heat shield. The only thing that worries me is stop and go traffic will see pretty high intake temps.

Nice work !! You should make these and sell them.

 

[Tiger Dude]

My opinion is that 80% of "gains" from new intakes are because it's louder so it sounds faster. Recognize that if it did do something, it will only be at wide open throttle, otherwise the throttle is your pressure loss. These do nothing for fuel mileage.

 

[Dodeboost]

My opinion is that 80% of "gains" from new intakes are because it's louder so it sounds faster. Recognize that if it did do something, it will only be at wide open throttle, otherwise the throttle is your pressure loss. These do nothing for fuel mileage.

Yeah I literally just want to hear the turbo, that’s the only reason I put this on.

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