I have been looking at prices for CAIs and SRIs, and they seem pretty expensive for a bunch of pipes put together. I was wondering how much the average cost to build my own short ram intake was. Would I need to add any sensors or such to the piping? I am thinking about just getting the parts from my nearest Autozone/Murray's. Not really expecting any hp gain, just for better sound and efficiency.

You can go to a welding shop and have them bend a pipe to fit.... then just get a cone filter off ebay or from autozone. Nothing special needed. However as way of efficiency your stock one is the best. SRI is pointless as its pulling hot air from inside your engine bay (it sets on top). CAI is a better option if you're looking at aftermarket. Neither is going to really get you a "better sound".

I know you're not looking into HP gains but you might wanna look into the drop-in K&N

I'd say, if you have to ask about this, then don't attempt it. For one, you have to locate and mount the mass air sensor correctly. If you don't you will throw CEL's all day long. You also have to get the tube diameter correct and the bends right too. And there's a breather hose that has to be considered. And you have to get the air flow correct, to make sure you don't run lean and ruin your engine. Air/fuel mixture mapping is important when talking about hp's. It's not just as easy as throwing a pipe and filter on. You will most likely lose power, throw cel's and may damage your engine. The companies that design air intakes put a lot of R&D into them to get them to not throw a CEL, to actually make the car breath better, to gain hp, and to not make the car run lean which is death to your engine. Unless your an engine builder with the equipment to R&d it, you're better off buying one made by a reputable company.

Just buy one. I think fujita has the cheapest one out there. Any aftermarket air intake is way better than the stock intake in terms of making the car breathe better and adding hp's.

BTW - I disagree with the comment on an SRI being pointless. SRI gets you 7hp gain, CAI gets you 10hp gain, but is a lot more money than an SRI.

I see a bunch of local shops carrying a intake parts, from pipes to elbows and also mounts for the MAF sensor. You can basically build your own without welding it, and just using elbows and couplers and what not. So basically I should just stay away from that and save up for a kit? I've heard of people making their own out of intercooler pipes and having great luck with them

I would stay away from trying to make your own. I mean, sure you could try, but there's no way your going to build one as good or better than injen, rrm, k&n, fujita, etc. If it was that easy they'd be out of business. Most likely you'll just get the mass air sensor wrong, get cel's, lose power, sound like crap, and possibly damage your engine from running lean.

I've heard of people making their own, but I have NEVER seen anyone build their own and then dyno it and get results like a reputable company does. In fact I never seen anyone dyno their DIY intake ever, most likely cause they know it's crap.

You can get a SRI for about $200, not really expensive at all. If you just want the car to breathe better than just get a drop in filter and your good. They're under $50.

SRI > CAI


A friend and i did some test this weekend to see which was better. we both have a 08 lancer gts manuals. He has a cai and I have a sri. We raced (1/4 mile) i beat him from stand still and rolling starts. then we swaped cars to see if I had won because I was a better driver. Then he beat me in my car. So you be the judge.

So my verdict is to just get an SRI. What is the best brand to get? Not necessarily the best performance, but just the best quality and reliability.

i have a fajita. some people on here have had problems with their intakes. ive had zero problems with mine. i havent heard of any problems with the rrm or the k&n intake. stay away from the cheap ebay ones and the secert weapon intakes.

I forgot to add that I also have a system in my trunk and heavier 19's on my car

Yeah....This just means you are a better driver and you pussy-footed it in his car....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Nice test. Well done.




Like Sir Will said: RRM, K&N, or Fujita. I got the RRM, but if the K&N was tested and cleared for the 2.4L engine before I bought mine I would have got K&N. I'm not sure the fujita has been tested on the 2.4L engine, their site only lists the 2.0L so keep that in mind. I have no probs with my RRM, had it for about 4 months now.




LOL

i think its because the loss of torqe at the begining of the start. maybe the cai is better in a 1/2 or full mile race. or from a rolling start in 4th gear (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)