Hey guys,

Can anyone recommend the best air intake system for a 1999 Acura TL 3.2? What gains would I see by adding an intake to the car? Can anyone also recommend where I could get an intake system for the best price?

 

What is the bypass for an air intake system? Do I need it if I add the intake? Also, what is a short ram? Is there different kinds of intakes for the car? Can anyone give me some insight in regards to this topic.

 

You don't need a bypass valve if you get the short ram. BTW very loud.

6 type of intakes for our cars:

- Stock intake

- Short ram

- CAI pipe

- Short ram with a box around to suck cold air. CAI box.

- Stock airbox with added high-flow filter and no resornator

- Stock airbox with added high-flow filter

You also have different filters elements and desings.

Bypass is just a valve place on the upper part of the CAI pipe. When there is preasure on the filter, like water induction, the bypass valve would allow air from the bay to go into the pipe, releasing the vacum preasure on the filter thus not inducing water. In my book, it does not work in every situation. But it does play a safe roll on your mind and in some situations. Yes I watched the NSX video. :p

 

Thanks for all the info, but it still doesn't answer my question. I am new to this and by the way you are talking you are not new to the game. So, what I need to know is what is the best intake for my car so that I can get optimal performance for my car. I see people with intakes, but which ones are they using? Short ram, etc...? I see there is a lot of intakes, but which one is the best above them all and don't they all come with an K & N Air Filter? I want the best for my car. Does an intake really improve performance for my car?

 

ok. I didn't answer those questions, because we always end up arguing like little babies but I can't help it.

Is all a matter of opinion. I personally think the Apexi filter is the best overall. I like the design of the HKS filter. I like the filter element of the comptech high-flow filter. These filters will allow more air while keeping the dirt out.

Yes the intake will improve the throttle response and increase the air flow as compare with your stock intake.

When you install an intake, all you are doing is increasing the air flow. The most noticable difference is throttle response and noise. Installing an intake will not increase the air capacity of the manifold or cylinders. If you run the car without an intake(no filter no pipe), the increase is pretty much the same than with a highflow filter(intake). Don't think is that much different. I think the maximun gain without an intake, just the throttle body would be around 10hp on the 99 TL. I wish I could dyno this.

Noise is a different story. It could easily play with your mind. You will think you are going faster the louder it get's. I like some noise, it's kind of cool too. The noise increase will only happen a WOT and at 4k RPMs and above with any intake. I did a test were I found out that most of the noise comes from the pipe and not the filter. So some designs will give you louder, deeper noises than others. Don't jugde the power of an intake by the noise.

Another issue is cold air. The colder the air the more power you could get, because the colder the air the denser it is. Would this make a difference in reallity but let's play like it does. So you want to get the coldest air possible. The short ram for example will suck hot air from the engine bay. Your stock airbox will suck cold air if you removed the resornator, because the resornator redirects the pipe to the engine bay. The throttle body by itself will also suck a lot of hot air. The CAI is a short ram with a longer extension the suck cold air from under the fender just like the airbox without the resornator. The cold air boxes (weaponr / comptech) is a short ram were the filter is surrounded by a box thus sucking cold air.

Looks is also another issue. Short rams look really cool. Some cold air boxes look good. CAI looks good, but you don't see the filter. Stock airbox is just look stock. Some people like chrome and they would get an intake for the looks as their main reason.

If you ask what is the best intake, most of the people would say CAI or short ram, until I them

Is really up to you. I'm just trying to teach you and give you options. Opinions are always good. In my personal opinion I like the stock airbox without the resornator and comptech highflow filter. The reason for that is cheap, good power, good enough sound for me.

If this doesn't help your dessicion: Try this or do a search on intakes. I should get pay for this ****.

 

Thanks for the info. I see that you have a extensive background dealing with intakes. With that in mind, how do I remove the resonator from my '99 TL? I see that you have some special instructions for the '99 TL. Can I ask you for a favor, can you please email me back with a step by step instruction on how to install and work everything properly? I know this is asking for a lot and it is going to be time consuming for you, but look out for a fellow member. Remember I am new to this and you need to be very basic with me. LOL!!! Also, you stated that by removing the resonator and buying a Comptech Air Filter I would be seeing the greatest output from my car, right? What is the stock Airbox?

What are those pics of the colorful pipes that I see in everyones cars? Are those intakes? If they are, do I need one for this install or can I just do without one? I like how they look, is there anyway of installing that pipe with your recommendations also? I want the best output and also the best look. I know that I am asking for a lot now.

So, once you have a chance can you please email me with a detailed instruction on what I need to buy (those colorful pipes, comptech airfilters, etc...) and where I can buy it for the cheapest price. Instructions on how to install the pipe, airfilter and how to take out the resonator. Also, I saw that you suggested taking out 2 hoses or something like that. Don't the '99 TL need those hoses or can I just remove them without any repercussion later on? Please instruct me on how to go about this whole situation the best possible way without any repercussions later on. One last thing, what is the STOCK AIRBOX?

Thanking you in advance!!!

 

Looking out for a fellow members. Experiences are that members don't give an F after they used your help. But not all members are the same. I will e-mail you later regarding your questions.

Stock airbox? That's what you have now. Is stock and is a box that has air in it..

All you are doing is modifyng it.