Hi all,

So I was reading somewhere that if you remove the lid to the OEM airbox it gets louder so I thought I would give it a try.

I lifted the lid and found this!



It has K&N printed on it. I guess the previous owner added it. I took the car for a quick mile run.

Impressions. At idle you get a high-toned humming sound. Like when you smack your head hard and hear a high tone. At anything up to 3/4 throttle it sounds the same as std. At full throttle it sounds really bassy, like a different car. It has a V8 depth of resonance without the 8 cylinder sound of course. The overall sound is louder than before and the sound appears smoother as the car revs. Once into the VTEC it is amazing, like the drama is turned up a notch, the sound is more purposeful and beefier. I also felt there was a noticeable increase in performance as the VTEC comes in a slight shove as the performance ramps up Vs the more gradual step up before.

So I wonder, I am thinking about keeping it like this, but the remaining airbox design probably doesnt help the cone. Also, should I be worrying about rising air temps in the engine bay?

If anyone has some advice that would be great.

Cheers

Paul

 

Would def heat soak but if you like it like that than whatever, I would honestly put the lid back on

 

you also got an engine damper there too! the only thing your'll might run into is heat soak and end up losing power.. i think theres a thread around somewhere that covered this. i think you lose power with the lid off vs on? i think

 

V-tec will sound way weaker with the lid off , I've read this not too long ago.

 

Trust me mate, with this set up it doesnt.

 

So yea you got a stock cold air intake gut the plastic out of it and put the lid back on.

It has been proven power loss with lid off.

If your looking for nice tone mod stock exhaust or go aftermarket. Just be warned it could get loud.

 

When I got my car it ha the stock partition removed but lid on. Now I have the K&N FIPK, and it's a nice and day difference in sound.

 

If you want added mid range and sound, get a K&N FIPK. Otherwise gut the box and leave the lid on.

 

Took mine off yesterday and this is inaccurate. The crack is way more noticeable.

 

ok, so been out testing tonight. Std with lid on Vs lid off Vs Resonator hole covered.


Looking at the design of the OEM box, it is clear that this allows cold air to be directed straight to the cone. I considered removing the inner partition, but the limiting factor to air reaching the cone is the opening to the air tube which is fixed. So I cannot see a 'more air' benefit to this. However, maybe there is a sound gain to be had. Lid on, with resonator hole covered; you get some of the bassy boom when at full throttle at lower revs as you get all the time with the lid off, but this is relatively short lived. Is there more meaty sound? Not that I could tell Vs the hole being uncovered. Lid off is still the king for me in terms of sound but the whine from the outside when idling is so loud its nearly laughable! What I also noticed was that with the lid off you do lose some of that VTEC fizzing intricate sound that makes it sound almost like an exotic motor. Its a subtle loss Vs lid off but I did miss it and added to the psychological effect of more cold air to the cone, I decided to stick with lid on and resonator hole covered for now.

What I will be exploring is a 'spout' with a larger surface area.