Question on Air Intake
07-22-2009, 10:32 AM
#1
Drifting
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Question on Air Intake
I noticed this ad on ebay for an after market air intake that replaces the factory intake... sort of. They must ship you that little orange cap you see in the photo below to cover up a secondary bypass to the intake of some sort. Question for those that know; 1. What does the small tube that connects to the factory intake do and will capping it off affect anything? I don't want to throw a CEL because of this. 2. What is the thinking around here on this mod? Worth the $100? Does it do anything without a cone filter attached and the factory box removed? There are so many claims about extra HP for mod's like these that I doubt the factory would have missed out getting a few HP if putting in a simple tube like this would have worked. But you never know.
07-22-2009, 10:38 AM
#2
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looks like a fabspeed kit. anyway, the cap, iirc, blocks off the resonator chamber, or somesuch. anyway, it's supposed to create a harmonic at certain revs to make your exhaust/engine note louder.
it should NOT throw a CEL. no HP gains that anyone can really prove, but it sounds better. i did a similar mod myself prior to mk 1 muffler mod. with both together my car sounds 30% better than stock imho.
it should NOT throw a CEL. no HP gains that anyone can really prove, but it sounds better. i did a similar mod myself prior to mk 1 muffler mod. with both together my car sounds 30% better than stock imho.
07-22-2009, 10:43 AM
#3
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I did this mod form a "hack" standpoint for under $3 - its been named the "Gillette Mod" and all you need is the cap off a can of Gillette shaving cream (which cost $3, and if you use it, you are not out anything) and pop that cap under the hose (takes 5 minutes)
If you dont like it, take it out, if you do.... run it. Mine has been in for about a year.... NO CEL or other issues.
but its not CHEVY ORANGE ! hahaha
a filter will add better sound (I am told) but you have to choose wisely (Evoms seems to be a good choice from other comments - avoid K&N, most agree)
I did this mod form a "hack" standpoint for under $3 - its been named the "Gillette Mod" and all you need is the cap off a can of Gillette shaving cream (which cost $3, and if you use it, you are not out anything) and pop that cap under the hose (takes 5 minutes)
If you dont like it, take it out, if you do.... run it. Mine has been in for about a year.... NO CEL or other issues.
but its not CHEVY ORANGE ! hahaha
a filter will add better sound (I am told) but you have to choose wisely (Evoms seems to be a good choice from other comments - avoid K&N, most agree)
07-22-2009, 11:18 AM
#4
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IMHO not worth the $100. Go out to dinner instead 
I think ivangene summed it up pretty well on how you can replicate it cheaper.
Regarding that orange cap. The idea is that you remove the Helmholtz resonator which the factory put there to acoustically "tune" the sound on the intake.
Helmholtz principle for dummies: think of when you blow air over the top of an open bottle and can adjust the angle/speed to get a different whistle. So removing it makes your intake sound a little louder at low rpm (which the factory was trying to tune out because they thought you wanted a quiet car without annoying intake drone at 2000-2500 rpm).
In summary more noise, no more HP
I think ivangene summed it up pretty well on how you can replicate it cheaper.Regarding that orange cap. The idea is that you remove the Helmholtz resonator which the factory put there to acoustically "tune" the sound on the intake.
Helmholtz principle for dummies: think of when you blow air over the top of an open bottle and can adjust the angle/speed to get a different whistle. So removing it makes your intake sound a little louder at low rpm (which the factory was trying to tune out because they thought you wanted a quiet car without annoying intake drone at 2000-2500 rpm).
In summary more noise, no more HP
07-22-2009, 12:30 PM
#6
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks guy's - great info. Figured out the no HP gain as there really is no free lunch in life without paying somewhere down the line. An $89US mod for a better sound is less money then I've spent on other dumb stuff, so the wife won't flip out like the time I bought a MIG 25 fighter pilot helmet and O2 mask from the Ukraine. Should of heard the whining then...
07-22-2009, 01:09 PM
#7
If you search for "orange cap" you will find a bunch of info about this mod. If you find someone who has a spare orange cap (apparently Niagra Plastics won't send free samples anymore) or find a suitable substitute it a nice cheap/free mod. Just make sure what you use doesn't get sucked into the throttle body.
The closing off of the resonance makes the exhaust sound a little throatier and raspier at WOT. Not as good sounding as PSE or an aftermarket exhaust (what do expect for free?). Neither the cap nor the silicone tubing have any performance affect (bad or good) nor throw any CEL.
IMHO it's not worth more than $5.
The closing off of the resonance makes the exhaust sound a little throatier and raspier at WOT. Not as good sounding as PSE or an aftermarket exhaust (what do expect for free?). Neither the cap nor the silicone tubing have any performance affect (bad or good) nor throw any CEL.
IMHO it's not worth more than $5.
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07-22-2009, 01:29 PM
#9
Drifting
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Originally Posted by Torontoworker
Should of heard the whining then...
Should of heard the whining then...
Originally Posted by KrisKringle
Also easily fixed with a cap or cork.
Also easily fixed with a cap or cork.
07-22-2009, 02:33 PM
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Thanks guy's - great info. Figured out the no HP gain as there really is no free lunch in life without paying somewhere down the line. An $89US mod for a better sound is less money then I've spent on other dumb stuff, so the wife won't flip out like the time I bought a MIG 25 fighter pilot helmet and O2 mask from the Ukraine. Should of heard the whining then...
)
07-22-2009, 05:18 PM
#14
Rocky Mountain High
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Yeah... I'd like to see a pic of the gillette cap in place... I am about to finish my current can, maybe I'll save the cap and put it to better use...
07-22-2009, 09:41 PM
#15
I’ll bet you guys that the reservoir, where the orange cap is installed, is used to dampen pulsations of the air flow to help the MAF read more accurately. It may make a difference in sound but that is not its purpose. Just my opinion.
Also, take a look at "B" in the attachment.
Also, take a look at "B" in the attachment.
Last edited by george996; 10-11-2013 at 06:35 PM.