Well I'm on the fence in choosing an Intake for the 8. About a month ago I was dead set on the revi but now k&n just introduced their new SR intake. Now I know that a lot of you all got the revi and just love it but which intake will result in the most power added to the 8?

I'm thinking that the k&n will give me the best gains/flow more air but with an increase in noise while the revi will create a moderate gain and keep the noise facter at a minimum.

Discuss

 

I'm just curious as to why you feel the K&N can flow more air than the REVi when the REVi has a much larger filter element? Not trying to argue one way or the other. Just curious why you think this way.

 

Well, to me it looks as if the revi has more obstacles with the closed end filter and horn while the k&n has an open filter that is directly in line with the air source. Also, the k&n intake piping looks less restrictive.

 

There are no obstacles in the way with the REVi. The filter element has far more open area. It pulls air from every direction. You don't need an open end if the rest of the element does it's job. The main piping is 3.5" anyways. That's far more air than the engine can ever use. Combine that with the larger area of the air filter and it turns out that air isn't actually moving very fast through the filter. It has no problems whatsoever moving around inside the airbox. The airbox flows far more than the engine can so it can't hurt power in any way. Air doesn't flow in a straight line through a filter anyways.

K&N may have an open end in the filter directly inline with the intake tube but this means nothing in terms of airflow. When air hits the filter element itself, it still scatters every direction. The K&N has less total area which means that the filter itself is more of a restriction than the element in the REVi. The air through the K&N would have to be moving faster to flow the same amount.

Yes I am partial to the REVi but that's only because it is the most well thought out, designed, and engineered intake available for the car bar none. Remember, they got it right the first time. The strange part with the original K&N system is that K&N only does intakes. That's it. That's their job and they still mess up an intake for a car? How do I know they got it right this time? Personally I think they should keep making filters only and leave the intake kits to the people who actually know and test the cars they go on.

I think you will be happy with the REVi. If you are looking for the absolute most power, where do you want it? Do you want the most peak power or do you want the most average usable power? Do you want the most power while sitting stationary on a dyno or do you want the most when you are actually driving the car moving down the road? For sheer peak numbers where you might see an ultimate top number a horsepower or 2 higher on a dyno, the K&N will probably take it. The REVi will take it over the whole rpm range though as an average. If you are internet racing with dyno numbers, the K&N is a better choice. If you want more real world benefit, you'd probably be better off with the REVi. This is especially true with the ram air duct. Non one will hold a candle to the system that has that installed. Don't expect miracles in power from just the intake though (any intake). It probably won't be the difference between winning or losing at the track.

 

I know you are partial to the revi but let's attack this with an open mind here. An Intake system is not rocket science. Sure the bad publicity of k&n's first try hurt them but this design looks a lot better. Since you said yourself that the rb filter element can flow a lot more than the 8 can suck, so why not have a smaller filter? IMO it is a well known fact that RB makes their products on the subtle side and thus sacrificing performance for a well balanced mature product.

I am not just buying an intake for my car. I am planning on getting a resonated midpipe, exhaust and ecu upgrade aswell. mods compliment each other and therefore I would like to maximize my gains all around. btw the last typhoon dynoed with a 9.5whp gain at 6000+rpm. I'd expect similar results with the new incarnation with less heat absorption and a smoother idle. for me, I rather have my gains at/above 6000rpm.

I am not here to argue about which system has more r&d but to find the best bang for the buck. If I was super concerned about noise than the revi would be my choice but from a performance standpoint I still believe that K&N is delivering.

 

The K&N may very well make more in absolute PEAK power. Peak numbers sell product. It's average that actually makes you faster. Don't let the RX-7 community know that though. Once the car actually gets moving instead of sitting still on a dyno, the K&N won't hold a candle to the REVi with the ram air tube. It can't. I guess you could add the ram air duct onto the K&N if you wanted to.

Obviously you should buy the one that you want and feel most comfortable with. The best bang for the buck might actually be the ram air tube all by itself.

 

DarkMaz8 it sounds like you are searching for justification for the K&N.

 

In a way yes but also no. I just feel that because of the last k&n intake, ppl will judge every product after as if it also sucks. Mistakes do happen but sometimes it results in a better product in the end.

I just feel as if the 8 community has it in for K&N. IMO spending $300 on an intake has to take all the options in account.

 

I am getting the ram air duct regardless.

 

Well then it boils down to a peak number or an average number

 

im also in the exact same boat on the REVI+duct and the new K&N........

If they do pretty much the same level of perfomance....the K&N is more economical since its cheaper......so i dont know...

what about the mesh screens in the intake tube that stabilizes air flow? does the K&N have it?

 

Import Tuner tested the K&N and the dyno results are practically identical to the Rev-i. Both the Rev-i and the K&N dyno better than any other intake I've seen. I have yet to see a third party test of the AEM.

 

I just hope SHOWOFF can post a video clip or sth.... hes the only one that has it right now..

 

Are you sure its not going to be on the "Subtle side and thus sacrificing performance for a well balanced mature product." ???

RB just did a better engineering job, hands down.

 

maybe, but I'm willing to bet that k&n makes more power.

 

at least with the K&N you don't pay $300 for a great flowing intake box that hooks up to a crappily flowing accordian style rubber tube

 

I'm curious if there is a way to modify the stock box to fit with the k&n unit.

 

Umm, why not just by the Revi then! That is pretty much what you're describing there...

Oh Dark, why are you so fixated on HP numbers? Even if the K&N does have 'more power' will that really make you happy? Is that going to win you a race out on the track? Will your car even see a track any time soon?

I'm not attacking your opinion, just wondering why HP is so important to you...
I for one am just more concerned in buying the prouct that is going to help my car 'breathe' better and run smoother; for now, that would be the Revi.

just my $.02

 

Of course hp is important. I would just buy a k&n drop in filter if all I wanted is my car to breath better. Spending 300+ on an intake definatly warrents my hp interests. My point is not to bash rb in any way but I don't see why anyone could say anything negative about this new k&n intake without seeing the results first.

 

HP is important. If it at least matches the REVi, then I think that is great news. Here are the things I am looking at:

a) HP. Unknown. Looking forward to seeing a dyno. And yes, area under the curve rather than peak is what I want to see.
b) Noise level. Unknown. Have to wait to hear from those that install it.
c) Price. Wins out here.
d) CARB certified. Yes. And this is a big plus over the REVi.

So a and b are unknowns. If is is comparable in HP and not too noisy, then I'm getting this in place of the REVi.

 

I would like to hear more about this Import Tuner test. Was it a comparison or two tests on different vehicles at different times? What was measured, etc? This thread goes back and forth but maybe there may be some unbiased answers already available on this subject (or maybe not).

 

Hey RG...if in fact the RB flows as much or more than the K&N why would the latter make more peak horsepower? I don't understand the logic there...

jds

 

also rotary god, why hasn't rb supplied anyone with a dyno for the revi?

 

Dynos are almost worthless in the way that aftermarket companies use them. One could easily prove that wearing Nike's vs. Reebok adds 10 horsepower, if they really wanted too. I've never seen Racing Beat provide a dyno sheet for any of their products.