Short ram intakes, what's the deal?
 

Hello,

This is more of a vent thread. I don't understand why the short ram intakes being released don't include any kind of heat shield, especially the HKS intake at around $700+. Is it really that difficult to fab a box and throw it in? I'm sure these things costs them tons less to make then what they are selling them for. Where did all of the R&D go? It's common sense that the engine bay is hot as fudge.

Just frustrated because i'm looking to get a short ram intake for my Father's birthday and he's been telling me he wanted a design similar to my Mishimoto intake or the ARC for the 350z, as they both have great heatshields.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...z/DSC07857.jpg

I've been trying to convince him to go with a CAI but he hates the idea of taking off the front bumper and to periodically clean and reoil the filters. The option of CAI are out the door.

Thinking back to the JWT popcharger and how some of the 350z would just die or bogg because of heatsoak is just ridiculous.

It seems like whomever is making SRI is just out there to make a quick buck. What do you guys think?

EDIT:

And this thread excludes the R2C SRI. Glad they decided to throw some kind of heat shield but it looks like it came out of Home Depot.

I agree...without some sort of shielding you're just gonna suck hot air. And by shielding I don't mean a piece of sheet metal. The R2C appears to be the only one to take that relatively seriously. Feed it with some air from the fang vents (http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...ur-airbox.html) and it'll probably work pretty well. My custom set-up with integrated, insulated shields results in IAT numbers virtually identical to a Stillen G3, so it can be done. In reality, the front end removal is a 15 minute job so you shouldn't let that deter you from other designs.

http://images49.fotki.com/v1503/phot...MG_1767-vi.jpg

http://images49.fotki.com/v1500/phot...MG_1849-vi.jpg

http://images115.fotki.com/v688/phot...MG_1897-vi.jpg

R2C intakes have a heat shield, check the group buy section of the forums.

Yep, and hopefully Takeda will realize they need one also. I do like the design of that intake a lot.

the problem is there's not much room on the right side
because of the radator hose elbow and the powersteering
fluid tank unless your filter is pretty small.

R2C's got the right idea, i think, but also think it's
restricting itself with the heatshield...maybe? not sure.
just from looking at the coffee can it's like restricting
almost 40% of free air (?).

imho for SRI's it might just be the filter element that's
going to make the difference. the thin metal sheets that
JWT includes in their intake probably does next to nothing
as far as 'sealing' it from the heat as there are open
gaps...but the benefit of the JWT is that it can suck in
air from not only from the sides, but directly from the
front. the front of the cone is directly in the path of the
cold air duct from the front bumper area. perhaps this
is why they net some gains on their intake?

something to think about? :confused:

It's quite a bit more complicated than that. One of the big factors, often ignored, is the diameter of the tubing at the point of MAF sampling. The car runs rich stock, so opening this up a little and leaning the mix slightly makes more power (Air flows slower through a larger diameter tube, sending a reduced MAF signal to the ECU). You've also got the plenum effect by using larger tubes overall and losing the restriction of the accordion. There is very little inherent restriction in the filter element itself either cone or stock.. Any of these systems can make more power if designed correctly. Many give it back because of higher IAT temps and the resultant timing pull..

yah, i can see that. but at the same time do you really think the included flimsy heatsheilds that are included really doing anything on the non-coffee can ones? :confused:

So whos 370 is it? yours or your dads?

No they're not. They may bounce reflected heat back from adjacent heat sources, but unless they're wrapped completely (filters) or sealed to the hood and front pass through, they're still gonna suck hot air puddled from under the hood..The R2C is the only one that's taken this partially into consideration.

yah, now if you can connect your coffeecan to the stock duct and completely seal it off, that would bascially be your garage made CAI. :)


but then its like you're going back to the stock setup with just a larger diameter pipe. i think we are onto something.

I've bumped my pipe diameter up to a smoothed a 2.75" from a turbulent 2.5" and the MAF diameter to 2.41" from 2.33". My fuel trims now are completely neutral, where before (stock) there was a significant rich correction. Car runs like a beast FWIW...:tup:

you should manufacture your intake for all of us. :D

It's my father's 370z. I own a 350z.

Jealous, I actually really like your setup. Looks clean, colors match, and the fang mod just adds even more function. :tup: