Hi Everyone

I'm new to this forum and I just bought my 03 Type-S 6MT about 2 months ago.
Used this forum a lot to get some good info.

This time I want to share my experience, I appologize if this has already been discussed, but I did do some searching and couldn't find it.

I suggest that everyone who has a icebox take the top off the filter box and just leave the filter exposed, I know it was not designed that way but I have tried both and I think that it is better if you prefer the below benefits.

Benefits
-Better Throttle Responce
-More Aggressive Sound at higher revs
-More Power?

Why would it do so?
More Air. The intake tube at the bottom is restrictive compared to the rest of the piping.

But COLD air is better.
True. However in this case I think the engine can pull in much more air so unless the temperature difference allows more molecules of air than sheer volume leaving the top exposed makes more power.

+Since you still have the bottom pipe if any cold air is being scooped up as you drive it will puch it to the filter anyways.

I'm telling everyone to do it because it may make more power, it is not substantial enough for me to be sure. However I do like the sound the engine makes when I rev. So give it a try and if you don't like it put the top part back on, no harm done. I would like some feedback though.

Thanks.

Tony

 

I've been running my icebox like that for a little over 6 months now. Only thing I notice is the sound and that the filter gets dirtier faster. Main reason I took the top off was for the sound...

 

i've been thinking about doing this for a while now, but didn't do so because I didn't know whether or not the hot air from the engine bay would affect this in a negative way. More opinions on this would definitely be great.

 

^^^I didn't notice anything in power loss/gain only what I mentioned above.

BTW, I think I saw your car by Newport Seafood couple weeks ago...your car broke my neck.

 

how much sound increase is their? are we talking aem sound, or just a little louder?

 

I'll it at the track and see if there are any real gains. I kinda doubt it, because its not like the intake is choking the engine. Even stock the intake it pretty efficient, seeing as how you only gain about 8-10hp from the intake, and some of that is due to the higher flow filter.

 

Much louder, enough to turn heads when you pass people.

Only when you're in high revs though, if you're just cruising it's still just as quiet.

 

In terms of Short ram air intake and a CAI, I "felt" that the Short ram gave me more grunt on the low end versus the CAI gave me more top end power. I don't have dynos to prove this, however it is a big difference IMO...

 

The stupid little box under your factory air box, what is it for?? I took that stupid piece of crap out today, I don't have the money yet for a real icebox or an aem. the tubing going into the original airbox I flipped over so it would shoot down into the front of the car, also as for getting more air up into that area, (don't kill me) I cut some of the splash guard away, still leaving two spots of contact with the bolt and the compression fitting so not to let air rip the piece off completely at highway speeds. In all it took me like 25 min, and my sound I believe is different, alot more of a sucking sound comes out of that side of the car. I want to pick up a K&N filter for now until I can see it fit to spend all that money on a real intake. I know its ghetto but let me know what you guys think about that shadetree mechanic job I pulled off, it might be something that you for all of you to use that don't have the money like me right now.

 

That little box is the resonator. Do a search and you should find some other threads discussing this.

In response to the question about removing the airbox cover, you are allowing the engine to breath more air, however that air is from inside the engine bay, air that is typically much hotter than that that comes from outside the engine bay. It sounds a lot better, but the gains are not there.

 

I'll keep my quiet Ice box thank you..That why I didn't get the AEM. I didn't like all the noises it made. Also I don't see how this could give any gains since CT designed the Ice Box to wotk the way it is. If your goign to take the top off the box why not just get a short ram intake. That's what your reducing it too.

 

I'm keeping mine the way it is. I trust comptechs design.

 

Other members have talked of talking the fog light out......Air from outside would be pushed in,sorta. Any gains Its for track runs as I'm sure most people woudnt want to roll around with a fog out.

I will try the lid off though to hear... I almost bought an aem to because I want to hear how it sounds

 

I don't get it. Why get the Icebox if you want the sound from an AEM. Just get an AEM. IMO, if there is any gains, it is below minimal and really not worth having to clean the filter that often.

 

 

I have owned both Short rams intakes and cold air and can say that I will never own the short ram again. Off the line the car was a complete turd during summer. Cold air is where its at.

 

Hmm some interesting arguments, if it really is that bad when warmer weather hits I will try putting the cover back on. Buying the CT and taking the box off gives (unintended) flexability and choice, short ram or CAI.

 

I'd have to say the argument about it getting cold air from the bottom is invalid, the air is sucked in more then anything. Remove the cover and the vacuum is gone, the air is coming from the source with least resistance (the hotter engine bay vs the lower bumper well).

 

so nobody liked what I had to say about having the resonator taken out with the stock hair box, isn't that making it like and icebox?? I may not be pulling cooler hair into my engine b/c the inlet tube isn't long enough, but i can change that, the only other difference is you guys probably have a nice non fabric air filter like a k&N or something along those lines, I'm sure the ct has been tested obviously for gains, but from looking at pictures, what i've dont' with taking that resonator out is the same exact thing.

 

I have had my AEM CAI since I could get my hands on it...and love it. I wouldn't trade it in for anything in the world and would definitely get it again above an icebox.

Yes, it is quiet when you are just cruising...you may hear the engine a bit more. However, when you truly get into the torque range ~3200rpm, you get the nice deep grunt of it aspirating the air. Then when the VTECH valves open up you get the lovely roar that makes heads turn.

The sound of the CLS' roar at 5k+rpm I think is just as good, if not better than the VR6 roar VW's have with their intake. Ah..that sweeeeeeet sound!!!

Next up for me...Neuspeed exhaust system (check out the thread on that!!!!)

 

It's not really quiet cruising. It hisses, it sucks, it howls, it groans at any speed or condition. More so with the AC on. Oh yeah & it whines at idle. Not to say those are drawbacks really. I'm just more of a sleeper kinda of guy rather then in your face.

 

you'll get warm engine air by leaving the ice box uncovered....sorry the cover stays on.....

 

I have a comptech, a question what is the air in the eng temperture . when you take off from the line air is moving in so it is now cool for 14.00 secounds and how about on a cold day?
When I go to the track I let my car cool down to were I can touch the intake body.

Sat i am going to the track if it isn't to busy I will try it both way's serveral times and let you guys known.
John

 

to my Moral cop.

I took it off to clean the filter, since I need to clean it every 3000 miles

I did not get around to cleaning the filter.. so I left the top off...

I ran the car for a couple highway pulls.... Dear LORD my Supercharger screams twice as loud at Wide Open Throttle....

The car does sound meaner and I like it, but it is not the best thing for the car since I am trying to keep everything cooled down.

 

Icebox < AEM
All of the extra noise is worth hearing AEM in high rpm's

 

i wouldnt say that one is greater then the other, it just a matter of preferences

 

i wouldnt say that one is greater then the other, it just a matter of preferences

 

Well, for some people like me that live in Canada, it is an advantage to have the comptech instead of AEM due to snow, slush and water puddles. The comptech has such a great design that it will pratically avoid all instances of snow or slush going up from under, where as the aem has a cone near the wheel, which is riskier during winter. I take the top off sometimes for sound, but during winter and during daily driving, but it's also fun having both at your disposition (stock sound or aem sound) whenever you want

 

oh one question, how do you guys clean out the comptech cone filter?

 

I bought the UNI service kit.

You spray the filter with the cleaner let it soak a bit.
Spray the cone from the inside to dislodge the debris.
Let it dry.
Spray oil.

Tony

 

where can i get this UNI kit?.. do you find theres a difference?

 

I havn't tried any other kit but if you mean cleanning, it makes a big difference when the filter is dirty.

You can grab the kit from Comptechs website.
http://www.comptechusa.com/store/620004.html

I got mine from Ebay.

Tony

 

now i want to retrofit one of those short ram intakes to my icebox (as, i believe, they are made to withstand more dirt/debris being exposed and what not)

 

why would u want to retrofit a shortram into your icebox??

 

just the filter. those filters are more durable than the ones that come with the icebox -- they're made to hold up in an open engine bay.

 

There is a K&N filter (ru-2590) that is supposed to be a direct replacement for the comptech foam, I'm planning to switch to that myself..

 

I don't know if someone has already done this or not... But I was wondering if any body is willing to try doing 1/4 runs with the box on and off. Just to quantify the difference and in which direction.

Just interested in the results.
I would do this myself but there isn't a place around me.

 

I think it's been covered pretty well in this thread... running with the top off will decrease the performance of the intake. If it didn't Comptech wouldn't have included a lid to the box!