Basic Bolt Ons: Intakes And Induction
One of the first aftermarket parts folks like to install on their cars are aftermarket intakes. An aftermarket intake in most cases removes the stock airbox and replaces it with more of a free flowing setup. In this Topic I will go over what kind of intakes are out there and the pros and cons of each.
First of, there are different styles of intake/induction setups. There is the shorty or short ram style and there is the cold air induction. There is a third type of intake, which I will call the miscellaneous intake. This type of intake shares some features of the shorty or CAI setups but also have some important differences.
Short ram intakes:
These are some of the more common short ram style intakes you are likely to find.
MAC
Steeda short ram
AEM short ram
RM racing open flow
KKM short ram
K&N Aircharger
Ractive short ram
PROS
The benefit of this type of intake is that they are simple to install, they are fairly cheap and they give decent gains. They average between $ 125 -$ 200
CONS These intakes can be louder then stock, for some folks this is a problem. They also take in ambient under hood air, which when the temps are hot can decrease power. There is a decent amount of air moving around when the vehicle is in motion however.
Cold air intakes:
Here are some of the more common cold air intakes you are likely to find.
AEM CAI
Bomz CAI
Injen CAI
PROS
These intakes make nice gains throughout the RPM range, mainly due to the fact that they locate the filter in an area where it can take in fresh air.
CONS
Most CAI setups use a tube which requires the stock electronics from the MAF sensor to be removed from its stock housing and then placed in the intake tube. This makes upgrading to a larger MAF impossible without buying a new intake. CAI setups also place the filter in a location where it is able to get very dirty very quickly. CAI require more frequent maintenance than short rams. CAI setups are also susceptible to water ingestion, being that the filter sits so far down near the ground. This requires the purchase of a bypass valve. This brings us to cost. CAI setups are normally in the area of $ 225-$ 275 , throw in a bypass valve and the price rises to the $ 300 mark.
Miscellaneous intakes:
Here are some of the misc. intakes you will find on the market. I say misc. because they do not fit into one of the aforementioned categories.
Volant intake
PROS
Volant is a nice intake, its design is to me the best. First off you start with an elbow which is smooth inside and flows better then the stock piece. Next you have a hi-flow AFE conical airfilter, but instead of just a typical “filter on a stick” short ram, volant includes an airbox. The MAF sensor attachs to the airbox via a big bore elbow. The airbox is larger than the stock box and has 2 ducts for fresh incoming air, one which opens underneath the airbox like the stock setup and one that opens on the opposite side of the airbox near the driver side fender. The Volant was design also allows itself to be used in conjunction with a ram air style hood, like the focus central hood, which it mates to it perfectly.
CONS The Volant is slightly louder than a stock intake. It also is pricey at around $ 250.
Volant uses an AFE air filter which is similar to a K&N filter but may not be as good. A replacement AFE filter is around $ 40, I have used a K&N replacement filter however and it works beautifully.
Iceman intake
PROS The iceman intake is unique because it retains the stock airbox, which is good for those looking to retain stock appearance, in black the intake is almost impossible to detect! Like the Volant the iceman uses a new throttle body to airbox elbow. Iceman claims to use a special plastic which keeps down on the temps that the intake tube can reach, I experimented by pulling the tube off after a long road trip, the outside was warm but the inside of the tube was not. For an air filter the Iceman uses an AFE panel style filter, not as free flowing as a conical filter but on the dyno this intake has shown gains nonetheless. The Iceman also uses its own duct which runs under the stock airbox, made of the same plastic as the other parts, it is larger and more free flowing than the stock duct. There is an optional side mounted duct which also can be added for more fresh incoming air. Recently these side ducts are being included in the intake package.
CONS There are very few things to complain about with the Iceman, if anything it is the AFE airfilter. Those unhappy with it can pick up a K&N though. The Iceman costs around $ 200
Focussport cool flo intake
PROS The cool flo intake is made by focussport, which to me is one of the premier companies for aftermarket focus parts. The cool flo is similar to the Volant in that it uses a conical filter and airbox setup to protect from underhood heat. Focussport includes a ITG air filter which is about the best you can buy. They also include a heat shield, its very similar to an airbox and comes complete with a rubber seal to keep the filter completely contained when the hood is closed. Also included are an ITG breather filter and hose.
CONS
While I love focussport products this intake is a bit pricey at $ 200. the filters can be cleaned but if a replacement is ever needed they are $ 80 which is kinda high in my opinion.
BAT inc. DCAF intake
PROS This intake is fairly simple in that its basically a short ram but with one small difference. On the end of the cone filter is an opening, here a hose attaches to the filter and allows fresh air from behind the driver side headlight to be ducted up to the filter. This kit also includes a mounting bracket and a breather filter.
CONS While simplistic this intake costs $ 150, which to me seems kind of expensive for the parts you get.
These are not all of the intake setups for the focus, they are a group of the more common and more well known parts.
Taken from FocalTech's Post on a different Forum, but well worth it.
Great info on the different styles of intakes. Anyone looking to get an aftermarket intake should take the time to read this post. There are lots of different styles of intake, heck you can even get some on evilbay for cheap. Before you buy on you should consider what your plans are for the car, how aggressive you plan on going with it because this will affect which type of intake is best for you.
1.) If you just want to add a few bolt ons to the car any of the intakes will free up the breathing of your car.
2.) If you plan on going with a aggressive NA(naturally assperated) car an intake that allows you to up-grade the MAFS(mass air flow sensor) size.
3.) Super charger or turbo applications often come with there own intakes so you need not worry there.
I how people will think about this when they decide it's time to get an intake. There is nothing worse than buying an intake and in a year realizing that it won't work with there future set up.
Last edited on Wed May 26th, 2004 07:23 pm by t3-rex
____________________ Honda's are like assholes, everyone has one.
Runner length affects volumetric efficiency by way of intake air velocity. short, wide intakes dont reach optimal vacuum pressure untill higher in the RPM band. This can be combatted by narrowing the intake tube. Long CAIs will give a bigger gain down low and tend to extend further into the RPM band due to the width. The power band can be manipulated via the length and width of your intake. Since the focus is geared short for economy, you might as well add power there.
Thanks for the info. I was just looking at various intakes for my car, and wanted a CAI, but I had the same worry as was mentioned above. Living in Western New York, we can get a lot of snow, amuch of it not plowed when I'm leaving for school, and even when it is, there is slush everywhere. I know that there are a lot of members from New England, and I'm assuming that you have a similar problem with snow, so what do you guys do? I was looking at a AEM or FocusCentral CAI, but if water can really be a problem, I'll just go with a Steeda ram air. Thanks.
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
I don't think the short rams are worth the money. All they do is suck hot air from the engine comparpment. Look at the Volant intake and the Focus Central ones, those are your best bets.
____________________ Honda's are like assholes, everyone has one.
I don't worry so much about it for puddles, I worry about it in the winter, I mean, I've had so much snow stuffed under my car somedays, I could see the car stalling out because the snow stopped up the filter, just more hassle than I'm willing to deal with, I loves my Volant.
That's what I'm worried about; that I'll walk out one morning to go to school after a good snow and the wind will have blown show all around the front of my car, and possible under it around the filter. Steeda claims gains of up to 6hp on a stock engine, comparable if slightly less then a CAI...
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
I have had my AEM CAI on for 2 straight New England winters, not a single problem with snow collecting around my filter lol. You really have nothing to worry about. Besides, its not going to create enough vacuum to suck snow up lol.
The reason AEM never released an SVT specific bypass valve, is because of location. I guess they didnt think there was a good spot to put it. But I have heard if you want to cut your own pipe, you can still use one where the pipe is straight.
Just what I was hoping to hear I wanted an CAI to begin with, but would rather settle with a tad less power of a ram air then have the engine suck in water. Thanks for the help!
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
Just what I was hoping to hear I wanted a CAI to begin with, and was hoping that snow wouldn't be a problem. I'll be getting one in the next couple weeks. Thanks for your help everyone!
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
Just get a K&N filter cleaner kit and clean the filter 3 or 4 times a year, and youll be all set. Just dont drive into 20 foot long puddles, that are knee deep, and you wont have any problems
Does anybody here have a Steeda Hi-Flow Intake? Steeda claims a 5 hp on a stock engine. I know that it's not a CAI, but it looks like a very attractive offer right now, as it's cheaper then the AEM CAI that I was looking at, and I'm on a budget so I would like to be able to save money for other parts as well. Can anybody give me their opinion on this kit? Thanks a lot.
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
Sorry for all of the questions, but they are helping me! You guys have me convinced that I should save a little more for a CAI. I'm now looking at an AEM CAI, but have a question: This is the intake I'm looking at http://www.performancecenter.com/products/?productID=52053
I know that a CAI will give you a little more HP gain then a ram air, but is the 15 hp gain that's advertised really true/realistic? I was expecting more in the 7 to 10 hp range...is this just some cheap marketing garbage? I'll still plan on buying it even if it was a little below 10, I was just wondering.
Thanks for all the help!
____________________ Proud owner of a Black 2000 Focus ZX3...
I wanted an CAI to begin with, but would rather settle with a tad less power of a ram air then have the engine suck in water. Thanks for the help!