I am considering getting either a short ram or cold air intake for my 05 WRX. I have read the info about why/why not to get it, however I am a little confused and had a question. I understand that it does not offer a lot of performance improvement on stock cars but do you think on my car it would or does it still make no sense and is a waste of money for just cosmetic looks. I have a Cobb TBE w/cat, Perrin Uppipe, Accessport (91oct Stage 2 map). Also, I have heard that if water gets sucked up by the short ram or cold air intake that it could ruin the engine, is this true? I understand that if I drove through a HUGE puddle I would increase my risk but would driving in rainy condition (fairly common in Seattle) be fine?

Also, the narrowed down candidates are:
K&N or Perrin Short Ram Intake
or
APS or Injen Cold Air Intake

Any recommendations if end up getting one? I appreciate any info that you could provide me. Thanks in advance.

 

Check out the the Cobb website. They tune the AccessPort for the stock air box and a K&N drop in filter. The drop in filter does me just fine. I think they have map for a CAI but I forget which one. For the amount of money it costs for a CAI, get a Kartboy short shifter and bushings if you don't have one already. To me an intake is a waste of money, but people do what they are gonna do, but just be careful that you don't run too lean. Hope that helps.

Bottom line by a K&N drop in filter, and a short shifter if you have a Manual. Don't waste your money on a CAI cause you don't get that much gain. If you do get one look into the Blitz SUS. Gives you the same benefits as the others you posted, plus it sounds mean and looks good under the hood.


Dan

 

Don't waste you money. Wait until you need to buy one because of a FMIC

 

I am not sure if I am talking about the same thing but basically I would like to remove the black flat air scoop that covers part of front left engine bay. I am assuming that if I do a CAI or a short ram than that would require me to remove this. Can I just remove the black flat air scoop and the snorkus and keep the stock air filter, would this affect anything? Also, if I do this do I have to worry at all about the rain geting sucked in?

 

Why would you want to remove the stock air box ? Are you intending to up-grade inter-cooler or turbo ? Putting in a short or cai won't offer much of a power gain on it's own . Personally , I have a aps cai it works great . I just couldn't see my car sourcing in hot air from under the engine hood . My buddy a mechanic has a negative view on cai it's called hydrolock because , I refused to put in a by-pass valve . Anyway , if you decide to change it out the short would be easier to maintain, because you can observe the condition of air filter and if you drive thru heavily flooded area's it'll protect from hydrolock . Last but not least it really brings out the sound of the engine . P.S. Don't go cheap watch out for maf sensor ! Peace .

 

I just installed my intake and I am pretty happy with it. Doesnt do much for horsepower but it looks and sounds great. I notice a little more pep in my step though. I have exhaust and downpipe and access port. It doesnt mess with the engine at all. I did a lot of research on the subject and i know a guy who put this brand on his 05 and he said it worked great. So i just said **** it and did it. I am really happy with it. Just to add I do notice that more air into the turbo might be good because i did go from stock exhaust 2" to aftermarket 3". So the air going in is as much as the air going out. It just seems a little smoother to me now. By the way SIPOST you dont have to remove the flat air scoop with a short ram (as seen in the pic) not sure about the CAI.

About what turtle speed said about the hot air issue and hydrolock. There is a heat shield with weather stripping to prevent hot air from getting sucked into the intake. It is not perfect to prevent all hot air but most of it. And it has been raining here in the bay area pretty heavy lately and i have not seen any signs of moisture in the intake area. Seems to be a great setup for me. The hydrolock would be more of an issue with the CAI in the fender well i would think. Just my opinion.

Later!

E