negiti
06-16-2007, 11:52 PM
PLEASE NOTE: Performance as defined in this post is the ability to travel at all speeds under 90 miles per hour, while experiencing significantly better response and fuel usage than the factory [apparently] ever intended. -jmc
Been a long time since I posted, but the email about the site coming back up seemed like it was well timed. <pun>
Just recently replaced my Ghetto CAI (except for the Slimfast can in the bellows section of the intake elbow) with a 3 inch aluminum / silicone coupler style intake. Purchased the tubing and couplers/elbow from a guy on eBay - ran about 80 bucks w/shipping, including race-grade clamps.
To review, I did to my '04 GT notchback L4 automatic what many have - ripped the snorkel/lunchbox off the car w/extreme prejudice. I did however salvage enough of the leftovers to run a truly ghetto-style CAI into the area in front of the driver's front wheel using dryer vent tubing, etc. Even this crap setup produced an average city/highway MPG overall of 27 miles per gallon, and the improvement in low end response was truly revolutionary. <pun> I would classify my driving style as 'sprited'.
The replacement rig required trimming the battery pan [to move the battery slightly toward the transmission] and the sheet metal behind the battery and the outer fender. I am still using the factory airbox that I cut the top off of, keeping just a rim of plastic from which the clamps are hung. Whats left is inside the front driver fender area behind the foglight.
My new MPG after a week of the computer getting used to - 30.8. This includes a few WOT events, heavy city and highway driving in hot weather, etc. The zero to 25 response is not unlike having a low boost supercharger onboard. It is so fast in the very low end that being away from it for a couple of days requires getting used to it again. I had to put a cooler on the transmission.
The real improvement that put everything over the top was insulation. Really. I carefully insulated the exhaust manifold, mimicking a header blanket or header tape. I also insulated the section of exhaust pipe that roasts both the transmission and engine oil pans. In addition, the CAI and intake manifold are now insulated. The effect is stunning. The logey hot weather behavior is a thing of the past. Flooring it - even on a 90 plus degree day - on the highway results in a frenzy of speed that takes most everyone around by surprise.
If I feather the throttle, I can get the trip computer to register up to 45 MPG (calculated) on level highway, going to down to 39-41 on mild inclines, down to 33 on failry stiff inclines. BTW, this is occuring while traveling between 65 and 85 miles per hour.
Assuming I don't get any overly nasty replies about how its been done before (hasn't everything been done before, really? - see Smokey Yunick), I will be most happy to provide some decent photos at the first opportunity.
Stay cool,
--Joe
Been a long time since I posted, but the email about the site coming back up seemed like it was well timed. <pun>
Just recently replaced my Ghetto CAI (except for the Slimfast can in the bellows section of the intake elbow) with a 3 inch aluminum / silicone coupler style intake. Purchased the tubing and couplers/elbow from a guy on eBay - ran about 80 bucks w/shipping, including race-grade clamps.
To review, I did to my '04 GT notchback L4 automatic what many have - ripped the snorkel/lunchbox off the car w/extreme prejudice. I did however salvage enough of the leftovers to run a truly ghetto-style CAI into the area in front of the driver's front wheel using dryer vent tubing, etc. Even this crap setup produced an average city/highway MPG overall of 27 miles per gallon, and the improvement in low end response was truly revolutionary. <pun> I would classify my driving style as 'sprited'.
The replacement rig required trimming the battery pan [to move the battery slightly toward the transmission] and the sheet metal behind the battery and the outer fender. I am still using the factory airbox that I cut the top off of, keeping just a rim of plastic from which the clamps are hung. Whats left is inside the front driver fender area behind the foglight.
My new MPG after a week of the computer getting used to - 30.8. This includes a few WOT events, heavy city and highway driving in hot weather, etc. The zero to 25 response is not unlike having a low boost supercharger onboard. It is so fast in the very low end that being away from it for a couple of days requires getting used to it again. I had to put a cooler on the transmission.
The real improvement that put everything over the top was insulation. Really. I carefully insulated the exhaust manifold, mimicking a header blanket or header tape. I also insulated the section of exhaust pipe that roasts both the transmission and engine oil pans. In addition, the CAI and intake manifold are now insulated. The effect is stunning. The logey hot weather behavior is a thing of the past. Flooring it - even on a 90 plus degree day - on the highway results in a frenzy of speed that takes most everyone around by surprise.
If I feather the throttle, I can get the trip computer to register up to 45 MPG (calculated) on level highway, going to down to 39-41 on mild inclines, down to 33 on failry stiff inclines. BTW, this is occuring while traveling between 65 and 85 miles per hour.
Assuming I don't get any overly nasty replies about how its been done before (hasn't everything been done before, really? - see Smokey Yunick), I will be most happy to provide some decent photos at the first opportunity.
Stay cool,
--Joe