So you want to chop a hole in your airbox?

[Sagaris]

Preface: I understand the drawbacks of molesting an airbox so, dont taze me, bro.

Cliffs notes: Stock airbox PWNS all, but it doesnt sound sexy.

When I first got my car, I decided I could give up a little performance in order to enjoy the nice induction sound of the M20. So I removed the air horn ..... Then when that was not enough, I removed the front and driver side sections of the airbox. THE SOUND, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!!

Sound familiar?

So a few weeks ago I decided to put the air horn back in since there was a nice big hole in the airbox to give me sound, so I wanted a little of the performance back.

I was greeted with a notable "increase" in low end grunt (For those who fail to see beyond the quotation marks, "increase" refers to a restitution of performance, not a net gain)

I had anticipated making a heatshield that attached to the airbox to block off the warm air being blown around by the fan through the radiator.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. There were way too many changes in geometry to make it work without having to destroy the heat shield every time the airbox was removed.

So I got an unmolested airbox from Mitch, put it in, and reverted the intake back to its original and intended state and whaddaya know, I was greeted by another small "increase" in performance.

Unfortunately the car no longer sounds like a mofo, but having that extra bit of performance back should be worth it.

Nevermind cone filters with heatshields and so-forth, thats another subject. but when it comes to molesting the airbox, I don't care what your mother told you, you WILL lose powaaa!


Just thought I would share the experience.

INB4 coolstory.bro

[E30SPDFRK]

Did it to my m42 back when I had it. I cut the whole fender side open. Sounded so much better and I didn't feel any real performance loss. There isn't really much to lose in the first place with an m42 though...

[Sagaris]

A lot of people will take the noise over the performance,

It's a personal preference.

All the thermodynamics classes I have taken were haunting me when I had the chopped airbox in there.

[2.5-12]

for increased noise and no power loss, get a mild exhaust - problem solved :D

[Sagaris]

I like the induction sound of an engine much more than the exhaust ( unless its a vee-eight). Take an Integra/Civic for example, they sound horrid with exhaust. but when they just have an intake system they sound really good.

[2.5-12]

that is very true and a very valid point.

[lonestar22]

are you guys talking about taking off the piece that leads to the headlight area??

[lennon]

no theyre talking about modifying the actual airbox. so stupid.

[ck_taft325is]

no theyre talking about modifying the actual airbox. so stupid.

Agreed.