Need some advice here guys. I live in El Paso, TX. For those of you who have never had the displeasure of living here, it is a desert. We have multiple dust storms throughout the year.

My question is: Is the K&N typhoon a wise intake decision for an environment such as this? I'm sure it comes with a heat sheild, but how effective will this turn out to be? I dont want to make a "popular" decision, only for it to damage my car.

 

it will make your engine "breathe" better and give you a few HP to the wheels at higher RPMs, but it can make your oil dirtier than w/ a stock airbox. The heatshield is only there to soak up some of the engine heat so the filter can try and pull in "cool" air.

I have the intake and it works fine. I live in the SF bay area so it's cooler here. However, I did make a trip on the 5 freeway a few weeks back to the hot heat of Orange County. The intake still performed well in 90+ degree heat.

My only forewarning w/ the intake is that it's really loud at WOT (wide open throttle). Some folks say it sounds like a bunch of mad bees. This is true. I was running the intake at Laguna Seca last month and got black flagged bc the intake read 100 on the decibel meter.

 

I'm not as worried about the heat as I am about the engine taking in all that dust and sand when it is "breathing". That is the possible damage I am talking about. Is there a closed intake that might work better in this situation? The Desert Run, which is the local 1/4 mile track here, is full of dismal vehicles... no such animal as a 10 second car here, so I dont really trust alot of people around here with that question.

 

you may be better off getting the rotary extreme intake (full covered heatshield) or the RB one coming out soon if you want something that's covered. The RB one has a casing that looks similiar to the stock airbox. There are pics of the RB prototype in numerous threads.

An intake w/ a cotton filter element will always be prone to making your oil dirty (regardless of covering/heatshield or not). I don't know about possible engine damage, but you can be proactive by religiously changing your oil at 3000 miles or earlier.

 

I actually saw a K&N unit at Sevenstock that had a nylon cover on it, similar to ones they put on Jeep K&N units to keep out the dust. I'm not sure of the effect it would have on the hp of the unit, but on Jeeps it is supposed to keep the filter more resistent to dirt & dust.

 

I'd wait for the Racing Beat instead, which if not available, should be very soon.

 

I asked about this cover at a couple mod shops, the only person that seemed to know what I was talking about called it a "dry charger", does that sound right to anyone? Anyone else heard of this? I was given an 800 number for a company that apparently makes these, but I havent called yet.

 

Nevermind guys, found the answer to my own question...

http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts....CategoryID/111

... is this the cover you saw at Sevenstock?

 

that looks about right. the pic from sevenstock was the red one.

 

Ya know, after all that asking and researching, I might just go with the SR Motorsports intake... I like the idea of having a closed intake. Either that or wait on Racing Beat's... I just ordered my RB exhaust (cant freakin' wait to get it), and I'm getting antsy to slap the intake in as well.

 

Scratch that... just ordered the SR Motorsports intake. Should be here by Monday at the latest.

 

you gonna put these mods on yourself? exhaust can be done w/ 1 person, but ideally it's better if 2 or more people install it.

 

The intake I will put on myself, but I hear that the stock exhaust is a pain in the *** to remove. I will probably take it to Redline Performance here to be installed.

 

why don't you have some of the forum members help you out? Since I've been on this forum, I haven't had a shop do any of my work. Forum members have helped me out recently doing sway bars, bleeding brakes, and hopefully will help me in the future when I too order an aftermarket exhaust.

 

I did the exhaust myself, in my garage with the car on jack stands...the stock exhaust is sort of a pain to remove since it is all one piece, but I wasn't worried about damaging it, so I didn't have to be very careful...and since the RB exhaust is in two pieces, it was a very simple install...just make sure you have plenty of WD-40 for the hangars...

 

The intake seems rather simple to put in, but I dont have the tools or ingenuity to do the exhaust by myself. As far as people from the forum helping, I doubt anyone will just drop into El Paso to give me a hand, and there isnt enough posting in the world that could help me get through it just by word of mouth. I hate playing the "helpless girl" card, but this is where those mechanic people come in handy!

 

I don't know...now that people know you're a "helpless girl," you might generate more interest around this joint

 

I have to say, I am very impressed with SR Motorsport's service so far, the intake shipped same day I ordered... not too bad. Should be here Friday. It kinda feels like Cristmas knowing I have all these great gifts coming