So i took my airbox lid off after cleaning my filter and it was amazing. I had no idea our motors could sound that nice. My question is if i get a cia will it always sound like that or should i just leave the lid off? Also, any side affects from doing this other than the bad ass sound?

I love my S

Thomas

 

Heat bog due to high temperatures in the engine bay can be a problem.

 

power loss without lid.

yes, intake will create that sound.

 

IMO

even if you "lose" power with the lid off, it's not gonna make a big difference.

if you just want the sound, save yourself some money and just take the lid off when you want.

if you spend 150-200 on an intake, maybe you'll gain 5hp.. but trust me, you are NOT going to really feel it.

and plus with the stock intake box, if you want to be as discreet as possible while hitting vtec, put the lid on

 

never had a problem with heat bog with the lid off. and i've sat in stop-and-go traffic wayyy to many times.

with the lid off you loose like 2 hp. just remove the spare tire and thats the difference it makes.

i took my airbox lid off and left it off. the sound is worth way more then the minimal power loss.

 

all you'll get is some heat soak that's only noticable when taking off from traffic lights gently at low revs on a hot day. once you're moving, heat soak is insignificant.

only reason my airbox lid is left on is because exposed air filters are illegal where I'm from (melb, australia).

however I'm toying with the idea of using the 'vented stock hood diy' and some custom intake work to make an e92 m3 style intake that draws air through the hood. when I took the m3 for a drive, it sounded AMAZING. induction noise = sex.

airbox lid off FTW

 

I have to agree, I have read over a million post about "heat soak" "your going to lose major hp" but, I can't really feel any difference, even in warm days sitting in traffic. At least not enough that I am going to feel it in my booty. But man, I have never been so hard on my car before this!! I can't stop... the sound.....

 

I have an injen cold air intake, sound is amazing. easy install, mine was close to $200, in my opinion worth every penny. i'm pretty sure fairy dust and unicorn horns were used in the making of that intake. very quiet, while just cruising around, but when you smash the gas and dump 3rd at 50mph it sounds amazing!

only downside is i have to take the front bumper off to change/clean the air filter.

 

CAI will sound better. I had my airbox lid off for a while because I got excited like you did. I put it back on felt a difference in low and mid range as well as more smoothness in the powerband. I didnt think it would really make a difference but it was noticeable to me. Leave the lid on until you get a CAI.

 

With the lid off in 90 degree heat, you lose like 1-2hp. Once the car is moving, plenty of fresh air is coming into the engine. I think there is a lot of talk to justify paying so much for a metal box around the intake versus the plastic one.